Shedding Frequency?

[singlestriker]

Hi all,

I have a 6 month old spotted python that has shedded twice recently!

It's previous shed dates have been: 24/11/09, 19/01/10, 2/3/10, 7/4/10, 8/5/10, 1/6/10, but then it shedded again on the 15/6/10 and then 25/6/10. Hasn't had any problems with any of the sheds, i'm just worried about the increase in frequency at the moment (maybe i'm just over reacting?:shock:/growth spurt maybe?).

It's temps are 26c to 28c. On the 29/4 it weighed 20g, and on the 16/6 it weighed 30g.
It gets fed 3-4g pinky/fuzzy mouse roughly every 7 - 10 days. Placid to handle, only gets handled roughly once a week. Enclosure is kept clean.

I hope i included enough info. Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

 

[singlestriker]

Here is my little fella/sheila "Striker"

 

[python_dan89]

growing fasy =)

 

[singlestriker]

Just an update....I ended up taking this little fella/shiela to the vet after it shed more on the 9/7, 15/7 (last one 25/7).

The vet said it could be one of two things,
1) chemical reaction to the enclosure cleaner/mite treatment
or 2) it's really really ill but would require blood sample to confirm (high risk on such a small snake).

So now on the vets advice I'm putting a tube down the poor little things throat and pumping some water down into its stomache to hopefully flush out the toxins and re-hydrate the sick little bugger and hoping that it is just a chemical reaction.

On the good note....Striker is still alive, still eating, still active....and I've got my fingers crossed it all comes better soon for Striker.

Now I'll be using hot water after every cleanout on all of my tanks now to get rid of any left over chemical residue.

 

[J-A-X]

stories like this make me glad i dont use chemicals on any of my tanks, good old fashioned boiling hot water,2 buckets, one for washing and the other for 'final wipedown' ... and rubber gloves. i just do it more than once a month like i hear people doing with the F10 and the like, I spot clean as needed and full clean probably every 10 - 14 days, more often if needed. Chemical and chemical residue can be nasty stuff,

glad to hear that you have taken her to a vet and sought expert advice, nothing beats a hands on examination. hope it all continues well for both of you

 

[singlestriker]

Thanks Jaxrtfm. I'm certainly not buying any more of those supposedly safe/recommended for reptile enclosure cleaners anymore. Good old hot water and elbow grease all the way now....I wouldn't want any snake to go through what my poor little bugger is going through