Little bumps on the little girls =(

[emroul]

I just received 4 female BP's today, and I looked at them all closely, and 3 of them have little bumps. One of them has 15-20! I know there could be a few reasons for this, and I emailed the breeder, waiting for a reply. In the mean time, I thought I should ask around. I know they could get scale rot from misting the tank, and being in an unkempt environment, but do you guy have suggestions that I could look up on the net until he emails me back?? Thanks in advance....

Jennifer

[Pixie]

Do the bumps have color? Are they like small blisters?

Two things come to mind, blister disease and internal parasites.

The first is cleared up fairly easily by keeping the snake in warm, dry conditions. The blisters will go with it's next shed.

If it's internal parasites then only a vet can properly diagnose and treat them. Either way, getting fecals done on new arrivals is always a good idea.

Hopefully the breeder will make good on his animals that are problematic. They should be brought to a vet very soon though...

Good luck and keep us posted!
Pixie

[HetForHuman]

The little bumps arent moving are they? (mites)?

[Big Mike]

Maybe ticks under the scales...???

[emroul]

They aren't moving, I have seen mites and ticks before, and it doesn't look like either one. They are dry, sort of patchy, and they look like blisters from water. They should be gone after shedding. The breeder contacted me and told me that sometimes they soak for awhile, that could be the reason. Makes sense to me. Any other thoughts just let me know. Thanks guys,

Jennifer

[Pixie]

It sounds like blisters and will be gone when your snake sheds, my boa had the same thing when I got her and it all went away as soon as she shed.

It is caused by damp surroundings, rarely by too much soaking. Usually the water dish has been spilled and that's why it's too damp or it could be the substrate it was kept on before was simply too humid.

Keep your snake's environment very dry and I would only provide a moist hide at the end of the shed cycle once the eyes have cleared up after being cloudy.

I would also recommend you still get fecals done especially if you had snakes in your collection prior to these coming in. They aren't too expensive and can save you money and headaches in the long run. Not to mention make sure your snakes are healthy and happy :)

Pixie

[Linds]

Ticks was my first thought, but if you've seen them and they are indeed not then I guess that's ruled out. My next guess would be a bacterial infection of sort. If a BP soaks from time to time (which for a healthy BP is not normal), it still shouldn't cause any problems. Problems occur when the snake is exposed to excessive moisture for an extended period of time. Could possibly be a fungal infection. I would recommend treating the patches with Betadine Solution (it treats both topical fungal and bacterial infections).