Bella's eyes

[youngster]

Corn snakes are the hardiest pets on this planet, you're worrying too much
(we have all had new pet owner syndrome)

I don't give mine any help and they've never had a problem.

[BarelyBreathing]

Originally Posted by Kylie

she has a white chalk dust on her body

This concerns me. I lost a snake due to premature shed, and this was the only symptom.

If your snake actually has dusty white stuff on its body that you can feel, bring it into the vet IMMEDIATELY.

[kernel]

Originally Posted by Kylie

ok, i set the thermostat to 90. that wont hurt her? i dont want to burn her lol
( first time snake owner) and i wont feed her, is there anything i should do to help her shed maybe?

No, it won't. Just make sure she has a cool side of around 80 to retreat to. When she's not holding her mouth open or wheezing or anything you can lower her temps back down (hot side of 85 and cool side of 70-75.

[kernel]

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

This concerns me. I lost a snake due to premature shed, and this was the only symptom.

If your snake actually has dusty white stuff on its body that you can feel, bring it into the vet IMMEDIATELY.

I have NEVER heard of this, but maybe you know something I don't.

[BarelyBreathing]

I posted about it on another forum. It was pretty much a freak incident that is only heard of once every few years or so. Basically, the snake shed before he was ready to. The white chalky dust was from the milky lubricant that forms under the layer of skin that is about to be shed off. The skin underneath was fragile and tore, and the snake dies either from a massive infection or from drying out very rapidly, or both. Hang on, let me look for the thread.

[youngster]

Oh, didn't read that part. I've never heard that either.

[BarelyBreathing]

Suddenly dead boa/ premature shed?

[alessia55]

Bella should shed soon... hopefully it's not what BB is describing and it all works out in the best way possible and everything works out just fine

[BarelyBreathing]

Fingers crossed it's not what I experienced.

[kernel]

I really don't think that's what it is. Why would she have that "dust" on her before she sheds?

[Kayla90]

I would wait till she shed's before forming an opinion.. If she's really close to shedding, it may just be that it's being pushed up off the skin in prep. to come off.. They do look a little bulgy.. if they still look so after the shed, you might want to take her to get looked at..

Didn't see there was a page two.. but what BB explains seems very scary.. so maybe waiting wouldn't be the best idea if there is a white chalky dust.. I hope it's not this though.

[kernel]

Yea, but if it's a premature shed, wouldn't the chalky dust come after she sheds, not before?

[BarelyBreathing]

It would come after the shed, but it would look like the snake is still in shed from a distance.

[Kylie]

I dont recall it being like a dust, just how it looked, when i did toutch her i didnt feel or see any "chalk" on my fingers. she just looked almost "pail" and i looked at her today and she does not seem so pail as she did before...so i am hoping it is just she is about to shed. but the thing that gets me is that her eyes were red previous to this...meaning she is albino, correct? and i had heard that when albinos go into shed their eyes dont go to that milky creamy color? if this is true then somthing must be wrong..cause bellas eyes are "foggy".... so confued and i dont want to take her into the vet if i dont have to just because its going to cost money, and i dont even know if the vets here were i live "deal" with snakes.... soooo confused!

[millertime89]

albinos eyes can get that milky creamy coloration. it can depend on how brilliant their eyes are, sometimes you just can't tell.