bacterial dermatitis?

[snakehunter]

after fark shed a couple of weeks ago i noticed some (like two) of her black scales where grey and mishapen, well a couple of days ago i noticed it had spread throught her body, and is now on her nose, i consoulted the bp manual and it suggested bacterial dermatitis, and to apply neosporin for a week or two, and change substrate to paper. i called my vet and she said to soak once a day until i could get in, but now it is almost completely gone after two days of treatment. i also called a vet radio guy and he said to check husbandry, it could be bad husbandry, and humidity could play a big part too, sooooooo my question is

ive heard 60 % is good for bps, but mine fluxes from 45-55, but mainlt in the high forties, is this ok, or should i try to pull it up to 60?
thanx for the help, and suggestions
-Jacob

[tHeGiNo]

The growth of bacteria would likely be from too much humidity, in my opinion, so I do not think that is the cause. Remember, Ball Pythons are native to dry areas, so humidity isn't a big issue. If anything, your humidity is too high. Are you misting? What is your substrate?

[Jeff_Favelle]

The growth of bacteria would likely be from too much humidity, in my opinion, so I do not think that is the cause. Remember, Ball Pythons are native to dry areas, so humidity isn't a big issue. If anything, your humidity is too high. Are you misting? What is your substrate?


Wrong wrong wrong wrong.

BP's are from a savanna-type area, but they are fossorial by nature. Meaning, the live a TON of their lives underground. Trust me when I say that 90% of rookie/novice BP owners keep their BP's WAY too dry. Way way too dry.

[snakehunter]

so should i up it to 60

as for substrate i am using paper towels as perscribed by the bp manual, but only until this thing clears up, then its back too carpet.

[daver676]

Jeff,

What do you feel is the proper humidity for a bp not in shed?

[Linds]

Originally posted by daver676

What do you feel is the proper humidity for a bp not in shed?

Proper humidity should be provided all the time, not just when in shed. If your snake has perfect sheds then it is a good indicator that your humidity is in the ideal range. IMHO the humidity levels should be independant of the shed cycle, but can be adjusted during breeding/day/night times.

[tHeGiNo]

That is true, actually now that I re-read my post it is wrong. However, I know that a LOT of caresheets mention that. Even some of the more bigger guys, like PK. In fact, so I do not look like TOO much of an idiot, I will make a few quotes :) :

'Ball pythons are native to a very warm, but not hot, dry areas in Africa. Many people make the mistake of keeping them in a too humid overall environment, using damp spaghnum moss or misting them throughout the day'

(Property of Peter Kahl: http://www.pkreptiles.com/pdf/care_sheets/ball_python.pdf)

On the same hand, I would like to say I keep my ambient humidity pretty low, 55-60 percent, then have humid hides. This would mimic the temperatures to where they are native too. I do think you should up your humidity to 60 though, maybe a little higher then that in the hide box. For the record, lol, I have never had a shed that was not in one peice (from a ball python).

[Jeff_Favelle]

Low ambient humidity and high humid hide box? Gino my man, that is EXACTLY what they have in the wild!! LOL! You are bang on dudette! :D

Daver, I don't measure humidity so I haven't the foggiest what it is. But I rotuinely get condensation. Have a look. Rubbermaids in the middle house some of my adult Ball Pythons...




http://members.shaw.ca/JeffFavelle_new/cages1.jpg

[AnniesMom]

Holy crow, that's a lot of snakes Jeff! Must be a pain to find someone to house-sit when you go on holidays? LOL :)

[daver676]

Originally posted by AnniesMom
Holy crow, that's a lot of snakes Jeff! :)

I agree!

[Jeff_Favelle]

That is about 1/5 the total collection. How I have a job and do this sometimes if beyond me! LOL!

[Jeff_Favelle]

And that picture doesn't even go to the floor. There are 3 more levels of cage under what you see! :eek:

[Clownfishie]

Trust me guys, that's nothing -- LOL. That's like one small corner of Jeff's collection *grin*. The man is insane I tell you... but it's a good insanity! lol...

So you got that bp rack all finished up and moved in there the other day, eh Jeff? Looks good! :)

[Jeff_Favelle]

Jen, I also got 8 more 4x2x1 cages set up that weren't there when you were here on the weekend!! Its crazy I tells you! But the bark mulch rules the world. For sure.

[Clownfishie]

Wow -- you were a busy boy! LOL... It's only been 3 days... lol... So the bark mulch doesn't smell "piney" anymore I take it? Glad it's working out -- for sure let me know when you get that skid of it out here, and I'll grab some off of you ;)

[Jeff_Favelle]

No, it just smells like earth now. Totally cool. When I pulled the Pastel and a biggie female out of their cage, they were locked together (mating) and I put them on the chips, and they are still mating. They haven't missed a beat!

I'll let you know for sure!

[foman]

Jeff I must say you are stacked, and thats 1/5, thats funny. And my buddies call me crazy. CHEERS

[Jeff_Favelle]

It gets worse. But hey, you're camera is 10x better than mine!!! LOL!!

[eyespy]

Stacked?!?!

Oh dear, that puts a drag-queenish image of Mr. Favelle in my mind that I'd prefer not to have lurking around in there.

[Linds]

LOL eyespy! :p

[Clownfishie]

LMAO Eyespy!! :D

[maiden_canada]

hey jeff, do you keep adult BP's in those 1foot high rubbermaids?

[Jeff_Favelle]

Yes.