Reptile & Amphibian Forums

(Please bear with me, it's my first time posting photos)
I could really use some advice...
I recieved this little girl (100% het albino!) in the mail Sept. 20. When she came she had a couple weird white spots on her, like scars or really dry scales or I don't know. I emailed the breeder and they said it was stuck shed - it was NOT stuck shed, I know what that looks like. I told them I would wait until her next shed to decide what to do. Well, when I took her out yesterday I realized she had a TON of those spots on her, WAY more than before. They were raised up and I didn't think they'd shed out - low and behold, this morning she'd shed and now there are only faint marks where they were before. Barely noticable now, unless you're looking for them. I've included pics (if they show up) - anyone seen/heard of this? Thanks for the help.

sorry guys

Don't know for sure but it looks like she may have been kept too damp and developed blisters. After drying out these can leave behind patches of damaged scales, some may not be noticeable other than to touch. Once the snakes gets ready to shed and starts into it's 'blue' cycle these spots become more noticeable and will often flake off first. If this is the case there shouldn't be any lasting damage, but I would keep an eye on it and if continues or gets worse take her to a vet.

George Knaack

I had something similar with two wc females. I treated them with a fungicide cream (like you buy for athletes' foot or jock itch) daily. I put some on my hands and just worked it into the skin of the animals. It took about two sheds to heal them up. Maybe they would have healed anyway, but to me it really seemed fungal.

Christy

Those look like water blisters. Usually they show up on an animal where ticks were removed.

Corey

I have seen these blisters. From what I have read on the internet, they can be from too wet a cage as well. I had some CH babies this year that had some, and when I put them on dry newspaper, they went away over a couple of sheds. I would definantley talk to the breeder, and see if I can get a different animal. With the amount of money you spent on her, I would not want an animals with these blisters.

Corey may be right on this one, but I just thought that I would add my $0.02.

Jason

Thanks for that info Corey. I noticed all my CH had those and just assumed it was from the ticks being removed, didn't know they were blisters though. They healed up fine after the first shed or two though.

If you have them on a supposed het though I would be concerned either she isn't a het she is a CH or WC or they don't keep their animals very well if they are getting ticks.
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Nita Hamilton
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Ball Pythons
ballpythonworld.com

They are water blisters. I bought a few C/H imports last year that were covered the same way. They had been kept in too high humidity. They were full blown blisters pre shed, then looked identical to your "spots" post shed. I put a topical antibiotic (neosporin) on them and they were fine after the next shed or two.

I have to agree, they look like water blisters. I have seen them on alot of miskept fresh import captive hatched animals. A few of the CH animals we recieved this season had them. From who did you purchase the animal from?

Greg Power
B.O.A. Inc

They sure look like water spots. Just keep them on a dry substrate as stated but still make sure they have a decent size water bowl so they dont dehydrate. I have seen this alot with fresh imports. My question would be are these true het albinos? If they are imports then this is doubtful. Just my thoughts. Good luck, Tim
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Tim Manucy
Bytheshore Reptiles
St. Augustine, FL.
www.btsreptiles.com

Like everyone has already said, they look like water blisters. So if everyone has already answered your question, why bother adding one more response with the same info? You stated that you purchased the snake as a 100% het for albino. If I read that correct, based on my experience with blisters, I would demand a full refund or replacement of the snake. I tried to rescue one female yearling that was kept on excessively moist substrate and developed the blisters. For several months I tried to treat her for this problem using the same methods listed in the other responses. The condition would clear up a little and then come back. Even when she was kept on newspaper, low humidity, etc. I eventually put her down. I would not purchase a snake with that problem. In my opinion you have not received a clean healthy snake.

Thanks for all your replies. I'd never seen water blisters before. I purchased her from a reputable breeder with a clearly written genetics/health guarantee on the website and numerous recommendations on the board of inquiry. I also purchased three other animals, in perfect condition, all represented as captive bred. She's only a few months old, it seems weird she would have been kept in such conditions long enough to give her blisters. I can't decide what to do, because the marks have all but disappeared now after shedding. But from some of your replies, it seems the blisters can come back?? I don't want to have to go through the hassle of trying to exchange the snake but if this will be a recurring problem I may have to.

It doesn't necessarily take long for these blisters to form, especially in a young snake. In my experience once kept in the right conditions the blisters heal up quickly without any lasting effect. However I would still talk to the breeder let them know that if the problem does persists into the next shed or two you would like your money back or her replaced. Just my opinion.

George