Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My albino western hognose has what appears to be a blister that runs down the entire belly. What is this? I picked him up to check him today and it drained out of a hole near the cloaca. He is currently on paper towels and I am cleaning his cage every day, and putting ssd ointment on him. Boosted his heat and took out the water bowl. Now he kinda looks to be a little stargazing. What do I do? What is this? Any help would be great.

pics may help us figure out what is going on, but my guess is that its a burn from the heat rock, they will often over heat and cause burns, I do not use them at all for my herps. When you said you "boosted" the rock, did that me throw it out? I would put him on unprinted newsprint or paper towels, and keep it very clean! If it is feasible a vet visit would be a good idea, at the very least, if you don't have a vet you already go to, start looking for one in case this gets worse. As far as the stargazing, not sure, could be a reaction to pain? Keep a close eye on the wound, and head to the vet if it gets worse, as someone who has pulled maggots out of a burn caused by a heat rock (at work, not one of my herps) you do not want it to get worse!
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hanging out under heat lights burns up my brain cells!!

Blisters like this are generally caused by one of two things. Filthy, inappropriate living conditions, or burns. Hot rocks can be great, but indeed many malfuntion and end up burning animals. This is especially when the rest of the enclosure is too cool, and the animal is hugging the rock for warmth, not wanting to leave it despite the slowly worsening burns developing.

With the size of the wound I would say that absolutely without a doubt a veterinary visit is in order. Burn or not, you are talking about 25% or more of the body surface area compromised. That means electrolyte imbalance, water-loss, pain, and an open door for bacteria, fungi, and other organisms to make themselves at home inside your snake.

Your snake can likely pull through this, but it will need help.

Good luck!,
Ian

The day he was scheduled to go to the vet i woke up and he didn't make it. I also have an african house snake that has a swollen area about 4 inches from the cloaca. Took him to vet and they gave me mineral oil and took x-rays. It looks to be a digested mouse that wont pass. I have been giving him warm water soaks and trying to gently massage the mouse toward the cloaca. If he doesn't pass it the vet will have to open him up.

np