Ball Python Issue

[OneLoveMarley]

Hi everyone. My ball python just shed and theres on odd raised part on his head with a slight indent. I thought it was stuck shed at first, but I couldnt take it off. Can you guys take a look at the picture? Anything helps.

[Aaron_S]

It looks like a scab or scar of some sort.

Do you happen to feed live?

[OneLoveMarley]

Hey. I actually don't. Maybe it's a scar from exploring. Anything I can do to quicken the healing process?

[Albert Clark]

Yeah, it looks like maybe that injury came from a projection in the enclosure. Or like you said ,while exploring the enclosure he comes into contact with something that is causing this. Possibly pushing against something. Try finding the cause and correcting it first. Keep the wound clean by washing it with chlorhexidine or betadine. Make sure it doesn't get worse and that it responds to the cleansings. If not , call a reptile vet for advice. Stay in peace and not pieces. Good luck.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by OneLoveMarley

Hey. I actually don't. Maybe it's a scar from exploring. Anything I can do to quicken the healing process?

Tough to quicken a healing process when unsure what you're healing. It could be fungal or an absess under the scales.

I would take it to a vet and ask them.

[millertime89]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Tough to quicken a healing process when unsure what you're healing. It could be fungal or an absess under the scales.

I would take it to a vet and ask them.

Agreed. I had a retic rip off a scale in a similar spot on her head a while ago. Vet had me just clean it with rubbing alcohol and apply polysporin to it daily, but that may not work for you. You need a vet's professional opinion.

[KyleKennedy]

I wouldn't worry about it unless it is affecting your snakes health. If your snake still acts fine and is still eating, then don't worry. If it just a scab, it will heal on it's own. Snakes have tough skin and usually heal pretty quick. Give it a few weeks and see if it clears up.

[Albert Clark]

In the meantime, while you are watching to see if it heals just keep the area clean and try to find out where the problem may lie inside the animals enclosure. Chlorhexidine and betdine are both antiseptics and either or can help. Good luck. More than likely he will shed out of it but you want to investigate the cause.

[lady_bug87]

Originally Posted by millertime89

Agreed. I had a retic rip off a scale in a similar spot on her head a while ago. Vet had me just clean it with rubbing alcohol and apply polysporin to it daily, but that may not work for you. You need a vet's professional opinion.

Are you sure it's rubbing alcohol? I thought as an astringent it would dry out the cells and affect healing.

Also worth mentioning that anytime someone uses polysporin it should be pain med free.

[millertime89]

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

Are you sure it's rubbing alcohol? I thought as an astringent it would dry out the cells and affect healing.

Also worth mentioning that anytime someone uses polysporin it should be pain med free.

Sorry, bad memory. Just went and checked the bottle. Hydrogen peroxide.

[lady_bug87]

I would even hesitate to use that. When my gtp was at risk for a tear it was recommended that if her skin tore i should use iodine.

[millertime89]

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

I would even hesitate to use that. When my gtp was at risk for a tear it was recommended that if her skin tore i should use iodine.

Duly noted. Reasoning? I'm not doubting you I just want to know why. It healed just fine in the end though.

[lady_bug87]

hydrogen peroxide (someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) kills bacteria when it foams unfortunately it also kills good cells.

when I cut my hand open (before the instance with my gtp) the ER doctor told me to never use it on a cut for that reason. I believe iodine to do the same thing without impacting the surrounding skin.

[millertime89]

Would betadine be a reasonable alternative too?

[lady_bug87]

I'd think so yes.