I am hoping some of you can help me. I have a juvenile ball python about 20" long and 6 months old. She is my first snake and I have had her about 2 months.
About 2 weeks ago, she made an escape attempt that resulted in a wicked scratch-like wound on her back (from the lid dragging on her back). I have fixed the problem so it won't happen again but that doesnt change the fact that she has this wound.
I have been keeping her cage especially clean and watching to make sure the wound hasnt worsened. I put a bit of anti-biotic ointment on it as per a few recommendations from snake pro's I have talked to. Her wound has not gotten worse but it hasnt gotten much better...
A few days ago, I noticed that she seems to be losing color along the side where the wound is. It goes down most of her body. But her other side is still the correct color. What used to be a beautiful tan is turning greyish/white. This may or may not have anything to do with her scratch. I tried to capture it in pics.... (
http://www.angelfire.com/ultra/preci...pythpics2.html) In some of them (especially the first) you can see her wound but I couldn't get a good picture of it.
I have no idea how snakes heal or what is normal during that process. I did my research before getting her so I know all about normal stuff like feeding and housing but this I don't know about. I am really worried about her... Is this normal? What should I expect? What should I do? Please help if you can!!!
Husbandry: She is in a 15 gallon tank for now (I have a 37 gallon tank for when she is a bit bigger). I keep it about 90-95 on one end and 70-75 on the other (a bit cooler at night). I am using both overhead heat (just a basic desk lamp) and a UTH. Humidity about 50% (can't get it to stay at 60%) and she has a humidity box in her tank at all times (which i clean daily to keep from getting nasty). She also has hide boxes and a water bowl. She is eating a hopper or small mouse once a week and is a great eater (has been since I got her). Substrate is astroturf-type stuff. I haven't noticed any changes in behavior since her injury.
Help! Normal vs. Problem in healing...
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