Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a Rosy Boa which over the last week has developed a skin condition. There are clusters of grayish/white papules which at first I thought were adherent clumps of unshed skin. But after soaking, they did not soften or remove. They do not involve the ventral surface. I have had her for one month and she appears otherwise healthy. Does anyone know what this is and how to treat it?

i would not be guessing what that could be. if it came on all of a sudden you should take her to a vet.
i have read though that if the enviroment is to moist it can cause blisters or conditions like that. just my thoughts..

Please describe how you are keeping that snake, how long it has been in your care, etc. It looks like a result of too much moisture in the cage, but I have no way of being sure without more info.

I agree about visiting a vet, but if your husbandry is wrong, the condition will come back. That is why we need to make sure your setup is adequate.

Please repond.
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Mark G

"Sweaterboxes are boring"

I have had the snake for one month. It was store bought and did not have this condition when I bought it. It has been kept on dry Aspen bedding and I was wondering if it could be an allergic type reaction to the bedding. If anything, the humidity might be low but certainly not too high. It has only fed once since I have had it but is active and otherwise seems healthy. I have kept snakes all my life and never seen anything like this before. I am not sure if it is captive bred. The store owner said it was but who knows. We do not have any vets specializing in reptiles in our area (small town).
Thanks

Get it off the aspen. Use newspaper right now, with no waterdish. Completely wash the cage first.

Rosies are not overly active snakes. Sure they may cruise at dusk when hungry and maybe for various other reasons like excited males in Spring, but mostly they are not very mobile. If this snake does have a reaction to the substrate, it may be crawling alot.

What are your temps?

>>I have had the snake for one month. It was store bought and did not have this condition when I bought it. It has been kept on dry Aspen bedding and I was wondering if it could be an allergic type reaction to the bedding. If anything, the humidity might be low but certainly not too high. It has only fed once since I have had it but is active and otherwise seems healthy. I have kept snakes all my life and never seen anything like this before. I am not sure if it is captive bred. The store owner said it was but who knows. We do not have any vets specializing in reptiles in our area (small town).
>>Thanks

I have already taken those steps. Have you ever seen a reaction to bedding before? Temps are 82-84 during the day and 76-78 at night.

Good going. I have seen a reaction to aspen once, but not like your snake looks. The poor snake was wheezing. As soon as I went to newspaper it cleared up.

It could be that your rosy was subjected to something at the pet shop. Bacterial perhaps. Try wiping the blisters with Betadine solution or even Neosporin. I had a rescued Children's python that had skin lesions. A vet determined it was bacterial and had me use betadine on the lesions while giving the snake some oral meds.

Since I'm not a vet, take my advice with that in mind. The best thing obviously is to seek medical help from a professional. Keep us posted.

>>I have already taken those steps. Have you ever seen a reaction to bedding before? Temps are 82-84 during the day and 76-78 at night.