Diamond Python Skin Sores After Shedding - Very worried owner

[gshorty21]

Hi All,
I am very concerned about my diamond python. I have had him for 5 years and this is the first time it has ever happened.

He has just shed his skin and there are now all these sores all along his back. They are opened wounds and it looks like when he shed the skin had taken some scales with it. Some wounds are red and look deep, and others are white.
He also has a bid of skin still stuck on him. I put some water on him to try and take the skin off but it is really stuck there and I feel like I am hurting him.
He looks like he is in real pain. I don't know what to do.
I don't want to lose him. :cry:
Can someone please provide some advise or know of any vet around the Sydney Eastern Suburbs that i can take him to.

thank you

Grace

 

[o0odjo0o]

no offence but pick up the phone and the phone book and start ringing. You can really afford to sit on here waiting for a answer. Good Luck hope he is ok. Cheers Dan.

 

[pythrulz]

Take your diamond to a reptile vet see what the problem is

 

[gshorty21]

I am planning to take him to a vet, But I don't know of any vet around my place. My snake has never been sick or had any concerns.

 

[glassless_mind]

Ring every vet in the phone book til you find one that will take him.
If all else fails, I'm pretty sure the university of sydney will have a vet clinic, because they have a vet school. The advantage with a university is that if you get a vet who doesn't know, there will be another floating around somewhere that happens to be an expert, or a PHD student willing to help out, or someone else who's done research. They're full of experts who are interested in dealing with the problem you present, and you're likely to get help.
Good luck with it!

 

[Wally]

Any chance of some pics?

 

[thals]

Look under the NSW listings, should be a vet that's not too far off. All the best with your diamond.

Reptile Vets - Aussie Pythons & Snakes

 

[da_donkey]

blister deasise ?? Peter noseworthy up on the central coast ( just near gosford) fantastic rep vet.

 

[gshorty21]

No, i don't have pictures... I am trying to explain them as best i can.
It looks like he is missing some scales and there are open wounds where that a scale was meant to be.
It is running along most of his back.
I have been reading up on the other forum and they talk about Benadine. Will that help with his wounds? I was thinking of putting some antiseptic cream on his wounds until i can go to the vet.
I have found 2 vets that i am going to call tomorrow and hopefully they know about snakes and can help me.

 

[Snakelove]

Itll help if people knows what it looks like I think mate. Just take a pic and post it up.

 

[gshorty21]

He guys, i was able to put some pics up. They are not very clear as i took them with my phone.
After reading alot of forums last night i have cleaned out his tank and just put some clean newspaper on it.
We going to go to the pharmacy and buy some benadine so i can soak him in it tonight.

 

[jack]

looks like a burn to me, how is the enclosure heated? 'betadine' is what you are after, a cream which can be smeared on.

 

[njames]

Was there anything sharp that he could have rubbed himself against whilst sloughing? Otherwise looks like a nasty burn!

 

[lisa5]

If you can't find a vet, there is a good one at Heathcote (near Sutherland- south) on the Princess Hwy. A little far to travel, but he is good. Hope everything goes okay.

 

[benjaffa]

if you are using betadine dilute it down a bit betadine can irritate the tissue i'd try salt water to cleanse them 1 teaspoon salt into 1 litre boiling water dissolve the salt and let it cool down. the wounds don't look to deep. it looks like the dermal layers are missing, the scales abd the skin. I'd get it to a vet asap as infection may become an issue. Don't use creams, i have heard of some creams effecting the surrounding scales which could become another issue. VET ASAP

 

[serpenttongue]

Burns/blister disease and scale rot all look pretty much the same. However their causes are different.

Since this has occurred immediately after shedding, I'd say it's scale rot. High humidity and/or dirty caging conditions usually cause this, and snakes are more susceptible to it during their milky stage of shedding.

Keep the sores dry and clean, and keep the animal arm. They will heal with each shed, and the skin will toughen as scars.

 

[benjaffa]

salt water will help the sores dry up.

 

[ShaunMorelia]

Has this snake visited the vet yet?
I'd be taking him there asap!

 

[gshorty21]

Hi All,
I found a vet near my place and took him there at lunch time.
My snake just burnt himself really badly.
The Vet has given me some antibiotics in needle form, cream and Chlorhex to clean the wounds.
Its going to be a long 3-6 months before my snake is going to get better.
I have a follow up appointment with the vet in 2 weeks time.

thank you all for your advise....

 

[Kristy_07]

Hope you manage to sort out where he burnt himself, and good to hear you've got him on track with antibiotics etc. Good luck for the coming months.