I need some advice on a ball python that may be sick,,,please help me!

cougargal8 · 09-28-04, 06:01 AM

I have a 2 y/o male ball python that up until a couple of days ago was literally as health as a horse. I fed him 5 days ago, and he ate just fine. I noticed he was spending more time in his "hidy hole" than usual, so I checked him, and both of his eyes are a milky shade of grey. These are not caps left on from shedding, his eyes literally went from shiny black to now all milky grey. Does ANYONE have any idea what's going on? I'm a "newbie" to snakes,,but I do know that his habitat is set up properly with the right kind of bedding, humidity/temp is good,,,,,ANY help/advice you can give would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!!

Whitney

Syco · 09-28-04, 06:55 AM

I wouldn't worry, it sounds like he is just going into shed. This is the stage they call "going blue", maybe you just missed it on his previous sheds. His eyes should clear up in a few days and then he will shed a few days after that. If you have never seen them in that stage it can be kind of disturbing

. It would also explain why he is in his hide, they really don't like being disturbed during that period, they can't see well.

BoidKeeper · 09-28-04, 07:37 AM

He's just shedding. Leave him alone until he is done then check him to make sure it all came off.
Cheers,
Trevor

cougargal8 · 09-28-04, 09:48 AM

Thanks for your replies,,,,but he's not shedding,,,he just got done completely shedding about a week ago. Will he already be starting the shedding process again this quickly?

rwg · 09-28-04, 09:54 AM

If it is a shed, it's way too early. Snakes shed more frequently when they have skin problems (wounds and scratches etc...) or mites. I would check for mites. They are tiny tiny bugs. You can often see them on the head, around the eyes, but you have to look closely. If it's not stuck eyecaps, and it's not an early shed coming on due to mites or wounds, then I'd probably take him to the vet. If it's mites someone else can tell you how to treat them as I've never had to deal with mites in my own collection.

rg

Linds · 09-28-04, 10:01 AM

At 2 years of age he shouldn't be shedding frequently at all since he is done the bulk of his growth. Excessive shedding can be the result of a mite infestation, injury, or sickness. Mites can be seen easier around the head, heat pits, and throat area, as well as they will often be found as little black specs in the water. Have you had him for a long time, or has he been recently aquired? Also, can you be a bit mroe specific with his conditions (housing, temps, etc.)? I don't want to come across accusatory, but many times when things are described as good they aren't, so it's best to give us exact details so we have the best, detailed picture to help you

cougargal8 · 09-28-04, 01:40 PM

I recently acquired him,,,I've had him about 3 weeks now. He's in a 55 gallon aquarium with a sliding screen lid. I use aspen shavings as his bedding, and he's got a large rock/water bowl that I've got positioned directly over the heating pad located on the bottom of the aquarium. (That's at one end) On the other end is his hollowed out log, and the heat lamp sits directly on top of the screen over his log. I've got two thermometers on the outside of the tank,,,,the "hot" end stays around 90/95, and the "cooler" end stays between 80/85. I also have a "dog bowl size" ceramic dish in his aquarium that I keep full of water. He just got done shedding a few days ago,,,,I had to bathe him in lukewarm water to help with the shedding, and to also help him rid a spectacle that was hanging on. (the previous owners didn't have the humidity right so he was having trouble shedding). I fed him several days ago, and he ate his rat like a champ. If there's anything else you need/want to know in order to help me help him, feel free to ask,,,,I'll tell ya' anything!

cougargal8 · 09-28-04, 01:40 PM

OH,,,also, I've checked him for mites,,,I've done enough research to know what/where to look for them, and he doesn't have ANY signs of mites.

Artemis · 09-28-04, 01:54 PM

Hrrrm, his eyes dont look dented in at all do they? I have heard of the silvery eyes meaning something else before, that has to do with tear ducts.

Also, I came across this on the web, a girl wrote this about her ball python, ironically named Artemis.... she has pics of what it looks like, along with what the vet told her.

http://www.geocities.com/madam_hooch...emis_Sick.html

If you know its not a shed coming on, and it doesnt clear up in a few days, the vet never hurts. Also, if you are able to post pics of YOUR snakes eyes, that would help people here understand more what you are seeing.

Best of Luck-

Artemis