Scale discolouration

[sm0kinup]

Hey ppl,

I have a 3 yr old Stimsons python that has just had a shed, the shed came off as a nice complete shed but I have noticed on her in some spots that her scales have gone really light and have tuned a pinkinsh/orage colour in the size of a 5c coin, it doesnt look like left over shed just a discolouring. Dont have any pics atm of the spots but I will upload some maybe tommorow, she is very healthy and eats well. Here is a pic of here when I got her.

 

[andyh]

did you handle her prior to shedding?
sometimes this can case discolouration

 

[antaresia_boy]

sorry, no idea what it could be.

 

[sm0kinup]

No, but I did feed her the day prior, i did not notice she was about to shed and she ate anyway, she still constricts even though the mice are dead. Maybe that could have done it?

 

[andyh]

not sure, but patches the size of a 5 cent piece are about the same size as fingerprints

 

[SamNabz]

I know you said the shed came off complete but maybe cause the snakes tummy was full it didn't have a proper shed? Try soaking it in warm water and checking if there is any retained shed and peel it yourself...?
Good luck.

 

[SamNabz]

I hear you see odd things when you're high...sorry, no idea what it could be.

The above, is a text book example of a pointless reply....good job!

 

[sm0kinup]

Pictures uploaded, hard to see, crappy camera.

 

[sm0kinup]

BUMP, anyone seen this before? I was told in a private email that it could be the oils drying out during a shed.

 

[Crystal..Discus]

She looks like she's developing a nasty case of scale rot - and yes, I know "it usually appears on the belly first" but not every case is the same. Current boyfriend's costal had the same symptoms as yours a few years ago; he wiped her down witha VERY diluted down Chlorhexidine mix, and used Betadine for about two months in order to get rid of it. The Costal doesn't have scars

Then again, she's your snake - you can treat her for it (which won't do any damage) or take her to a vet.

 

[sm0kinup]

If it is scale rot what do you think would have caused it? her substrate gets replaced once fortnight and I use reptile bark, it could be the moisture in the bark maybe? Should i change to desert sand?

 

[Vixen]

Doesn't really look like scale rot to me, but then again i've never experience this personally and i'm not a vet.

 

[MrGoodspeed]

I have seen other captive snakes with that sort of scale colouration, if you are talking about the orange flecking. not sure what it is, I always thought it was just how some snakes turned out. (seen it in WA stimmos only)

 

[sm0kinup]

I have seen other captive snakes with that sort of scale colouration, if you are talking about the orange flecking. not sure what it is, I always thought it was just how some snakes turned out. (seen it in WA stimmos only)

Hopefully this is the case.

 

[Crystal..Discus]

If it is scale rot what do you think would have caused it? her substrate gets replaced once fortnight and I use reptile bark, it could be the moisture in the bark maybe? Should i change to desert sand?

The most common cause it moisture in any substrate. As for the Reptile Bark - I don't like it. It carriers some bacteria such as the organisms that cause Scale Rot. However, you can sun bake it (perfect weather for it now!) or oven bake it to kill anything lurking on it. Bleach out the enclosure, and keep her into a temporary enclosure for a few days while the chemicals air out. (On that note, sand - along with anything else - needs to be cleaned properly as well. Sand also has a slight risk of impaction if you feed her in her tank.)

 

[snake_boy]

i once had a jungle that had a single scale that color. never caused a problem just he way he was

 

[sm0kinup]

Anyone else?