Schnitzel (Concerns & Pics)

[Onyx Cross]

Okay, here's the deal... Schnitzel isn't actually mine. She belongs to my brother, Mike. But Mike moved out months ago and I'm trying to take care of Schnitzel now because she's getting very sick and he is extremely busy and isn't around nearly enough to take care of any of his pets...

According to my brother, Schnit hasn't eaten since the winter because she had refused the food given to her. The tank also hasn't been cleaned in who knows how long. She was doing fine until about the beginning of July. I used to handle her easily but now she has become aggressive for an unknown reason. She tries attacking me when I try to take her out. I believe Schnitzel has scale rot, and she's shedding right now. I plan on feeding her as soon as she's done shedding.

Here's a before & after pic of my baby Schnit. Quality of pictures are poor because I used my cellphone to take them. Sorry.
This pic was taken on June 26th. She was very passive and docile and never, EVER attacked me.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e98/k4e/Mobile%20Uploads/0626111818a.jpg
And this pic was taken today. About a week and some days ago I tried taking her out and she attempted to attack me three times.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e98/k4e/Mobile%20Uploads/0801111626a.jpg

Does anyone have any advice? What should I buy to help with the scale rot, how can I get her aggressiveness to go away, etc. I don't have enough money to take her to a vet.

[SnakeyJay]

How do you know schnitz has got scale rot? When snakes are deep in shed like that they can become very defensive due to being practically blind.. is this the only time shes struck out at you.? If so it may be the cause. If it continues after the shed you may want to look into whats causing it. Give her viv a good clean with reptile cleaner. Good luck.

[marvelfreak]

What you cage set up look like and what are your temps hot and cold side of cage? Also what the humidity? Does she have at least two hide? What she normally eat and when was her last poop? Answers to all this question will help us help you. As far as the aggressiveness it sound like she in pain or sick. Once this is taking care of and she feeding regular again she should mellow out.

[Onyx Cross]

How do you know schnitz has got scale rot? When snakes are deep in shed like that they can become very defensive due to being practically blind.. is this the only time shes struck out at you.? If so it may be the cause. If it continues after the shed you may want to look into whats causing it. Give her viv a good clean with reptile cleaner. Good luck.
Both my ex and my brother told me she has scale rot. My ex works at a pet store and has snakes of his own. I'm taking their word for it since they've got more knowledge on snakes than I do. And yeah, Schnitz has never attacked me before this. The picture from June, I was handling her just fine. I had her around my neck and all, I must've handled her for like two hours that day...I'm going to try and take her out when the shed's done and hope that she's in a better mood so I can clean the viv and try and get some food in her.

Edit:
Also, Schnit used to be in near perfect condition, like her scales and everything felt nice and smooth, and she was slithering with ease. Now she looks deflated and has odd feeling scales, it feels rough and she slithers very slowly, like she can't grip or something.

[Onyx Cross]

What you cage set up look like and what are your temps hot and cold side of cage? Also what the humidity? Does she have at least two hide? What she normally eat and when was her last poop? Answers to all this question will help us help you. As far as the aggressiveness it sound like she in pain or sick. Once this is taking care of and she feeding regular again she should mellow out.
I'm probably going to be of little help here, unfortunately. The tank is very messy at the moment... She's got a heating rock that I actually don't have on or in the tank at the moment because I took it out when trying to clean up the tank but after almost being struck I didn't want to stick my hand back in the tank in fear that she might strike and succeed. There's a large tree-like thing. A glass water bowl, and carpet bedding. I have no idea about humidity levels or temps.

I'm sorry I'm no real help here. :/

[marvelfreak]

I'm probably going to be of little help here, unfortunately. The tank is very messy at the moment... She's got a heating rock that I actually don't have on or in the tank at the moment because I took it out when trying to clean up the tank but after almost being struck I didn't want to stick my hand back in the tank in fear that she might strike and succeed. There's a large tree-like thing. A glass water bowl, and carpet bedding. I have no idea about humidity levels or temps.

I'm sorry I'm no real help here. :/
What you need to do is go to Wal-Mart you can get a digital thermometer that will tell you temperature and humidity for around $8.00 on up.

Then take a pillow case and a hook or bend a fly swatter and use it for a hook. Carefully put the snake in the pillow case and tie shut. You can also wear gloves. A bite from a ball python won't really hurt at all.

Then use bleach water and clean the cage really good and let it dry. Make sure to clean everything in it good. then put the thermometer in for about 15 minutes on the hot side then cold side to see what your temps and humidity are.

This your tank glass if so you need to get a UTH+ under tank heater. This are much safer than a heat rock. I am guessing part of the problem is the heat and humidity are off. This can make them not eat, cranky, and sick. Getting the temps right can also help the scale rot to heal.

[kreaturekeeper]

She sounds like she does not have high enough humidity and going into shed having sensitive skin it will make it worse. She will not want to be picked up. This is my experience anyway.
There is a ball python care sheet at the top of this forum that tells you what conditions you need to keep a healthy pet. I suggest you read it and get this snake in the right conditions ASAP!
Another suggestion is if you are uncomfortable going in her tank to keep her clean which is absolutely NECESSARY, this is not the pet for you and you need to give her to someone who can care for her properly, again ASAP
Best of luck to getting this snake healthy and happy.

[Onyx Cross]

Hey guys, thanks for all the help, here's an update!
I cleaned out the entire tank, including all water bowls, the tree trunk thing, and I put fresh carpeting, and I found the digital thermometer that we had somewhere in the house.
I soaked Schnitzel in some 1 part Shed Ease and 3 part water solution for half an hour, she seems more comfortable now. She did hiss, but she always has, but she did not attempt to strike me, which is good.
She was extremely dehydrated from what I can tell, as soon as she was in the water bowl she stood there and drank for a looong time.
Once her shed is over I will attempt to feed her a medium sized mouse or a rat pup. I will keep everyone updated.

[Onyx Cross]

She sounds like she does not have high enough humidity and going into shed having sensitive skin it will make it worse. She will not want to be picked up. This is my experience anyway.
There is a ball python care sheet at the top of this forum that tells you what conditions you need to keep a healthy pet. I suggest you read it and get this snake in the right conditions ASAP!
Another suggestion is if you are uncomfortable going in her tank to keep her clean which is absolutely NECESSARY, this is not the pet for you and you need to give her to someone who can care for her properly, again ASAP
Best of luck to getting this snake healthy and happy.
Thanks. I've read the care sheet already. I have completely cleaned her tank and soaked her in a 1 part Shed Ease to 3 parts water solution. Please keep in mind that this is not MY pet, she belongs to my brother. Who happens to be all too busy, so I am trying my best to take care of her and nurse her back to good health.

[stephanbakir]

Your brother refuses to care for her?
Or is he unable to take time due to good reasons?

[Onyx Cross]

Your brother refuses to care for her?
Or is he unable to take time due to good reasons?
He is unable to care for her due to work, college, and since he lives about an hour away.

Edit:
My brother would never refuse to care for an animal.

[stephanbakir]

Alright, thats fine then :) Glad you stepped up.

[Onyx Cross]

Alright, thats fine then :) Glad you stepped up.

(:
Yeah, I've grown quite attached to Schnitzel. She's a gorgeous Ball Python when she's not all sickly looking and feeling. I can't wait to get her back to being healthy and eating regularly.
Although it kind of grosses me out...I'm a vegetarian, so I'm a bit on edge with having to give her mice.

[Aaron_S]

Alright I'm glad you took on the responsibility of this snake. Kudos to you.

I've read through your posts and things jump out at me! I know some of it has been corrected by Chuck and others but I'll go over a couple of things.

Firstly, disregard ALL information your brother and ex are giving you. Anyone who knows anything about snakes knows they are NOT to use any hot rocks. Poor choice there. If they were ok with this then they don't know squat and I would never listen to them. Use a UTH as recommended.

Secondly, you mentioned you placed fresh carpet in the enclosure after cleaning it, with a snake that has scale rot. That is akin to you having a sunburn and me rubbing sandpaper over it. Remove it and use paper towel until she's done healing. Actually even after use paper towel.

Lastly, I can't see the pics of her as I'm at work but as soon as possible remove her from mice and put her on rats. She'll grow better.

[Onyx Cross]

Alright I'm glad you took on the responsibility of this snake. Kudos to you.

I've read through your posts and things jump out at me! I know some of it has been corrected by Chuck and others but I'll go over a couple of things.

Firstly, disregard ALL information your brother and ex are giving you. Anyone who knows anything about snakes knows they are NOT to use any hot rocks. Poor choice there. If they were ok with this then they don't know squat and I would never listen to them. Use a UTH as recommended.

Secondly, you mentioned you placed fresh carpet in the enclosure after cleaning it, with a snake that has scale rot. That is akin to you having a sunburn and me rubbing sandpaper over it. Remove it and use paper towel until she's done healing. Actually even after use paper towel.

Lastly, I can't see the pics of her as I'm at work but as soon as possible remove her from mice and put her on rats. She'll grow better.

Sorry, I should have made this clear; I don't use the heating rock, and I spoke to my brother earlier. He doesn't approve of it either, but used it as a last resort. Actually, for the passed 2 weeks, the rock has been in the tank but has not been plugged in...Kind of there for just decoration. I personally don't like it because it was hot for me to pick up, so I could just imagine how awful the snake must have felt. As soon as I can I'm going to pick up a UTH and I will switch the carpet to paper towels in the morning.

[Aaron_S]

Good to hear that you'll be making the changes.

I don't care if it's used as a last resort. It shouldn't ever have been bought or placed in the enclosure. There was no reason for it to be used. I am just glad it's being disregarded.

[SnakeyJay]

Well done for being so open to learning tho.

[Onyx Cross]

Thanks guys. (:

Here's another update on Schnitz:
She's shedding nicely, hissed at me only once, when I was trying to get the carpet out (which was super easy because she burrowed under it.) Other than that, she was very nice today.
I cleaned around her because I wanted to get over the new fear of putting my hand in the tank. She didn't mind it. Then I put in the paper towels and all the other stuff I had in there (the tree trunk and the water bowl.)
Then I put her on the tree. Here's a few pictures. (:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e98/k4e/Mobile%20Uploads/0802111401.jpghttp://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e98/k4e/Mobile%20Uploads/0802111402.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e98/k4e/Mobile%20Uploads/0802111402a.jpghttp://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e98/k4e/Mobile%20Uploads/0802111403.jpg

I'll have better pictures up eventually, using my camera instead of my little phone camera.

[stephanbakir]

Till the scale rot goes away, you might want to remove anything abrasive, like the log, just give her a hide to go under

[Onyx Cross]

Till the scale rot goes away, you might want to remove anything abrasive, like the log, just give her a hide to go under

You sure? The log's actually smooth and she's been rubbing against it to get the sheddings off.

[stephanbakir]

During a shed its fine (they don't NEED something to shove against), but you really don't want anything messing with the scales while they heal.

[Onyx Cross]

Alright. Well, I'll keep it in there for now though. When the shed's done, I'll take it out for awhile to see how the rot's doing.