dirty skin between scales?

Zoe · 10-22-03, 05:32 PM

I was looking over my rescue boa more carefully (i've been keeping contact to a minimum - just applying polysporing to his nose and major cuts and such) and I noticed that his scales aren't as "tight" to his body as normal. Mostly along his sides and on his stomach. They don't stick straight out per se, but they just seem loose and easy to push backwards (not that I tested their resistance or anything). Anyway, it looks a little dirty between the scales. In particular, near his face, there is even a scale missing and its all brown there and between his other scales.
Any ideas what this could be? I'm giving him a bath in a betadine solution right now. Is there anything else I can do? At 10$/tube I can't really afford to coat him with polysporin :P but should I apply it to the worst areas like on his chin?

Thanks!
Zoe

Linds · 10-22-03, 11:28 PM

Only apply polysporin to areas that are raw or otherwise infected. I'm having trouble putting together what you mean by his scales and skin though. I don't want to recommend anything, as I do not know if it is dirty or if its something else. Either way, I would have him checked out by a good vet.

eyespy · 10-22-03, 11:40 PM

Papery, loose skin is often a sign of severe dehydration. A vet should definitely see him.

T.O-SK8TER · 10-22-03, 11:41 PM

Im pretty sure Betadine may just dry out his scales, Betadine has iodine in it, I would just soak him in water for a while. From what you say he is most likely dehydrated so increase the humidity and pick him up once in a while and put his snout near the water, he should take a drink. For the infected parts go with the polysporin. The Betadine may work here is a site that explaines how to do it.

http://www.iguanaden.com/health/betadine.htm

MouseKilla · 10-23-03, 02:40 PM

That sounds awful, whatever it is. I can't say that I know what that's all about but I can say that sometimes mites get underneath the ventral scales and kinda look like dirt stuck between them. I hope for your sake that mites aren't yet another problem with this snake. What the hell was going on with it before you rescued it?

Zoe · 10-23-03, 03:51 PM

Hi,
No, it isn't mites. It just looks like dirt, really. I don't believe its rot... although a few of his stomach scales a little "eaten away".
My guess?
- little to no humidity or large water dish
- kept in tank with screen lid (hence the sores on his nose)
- fed live prey
- cage rarely cleaned
- exposure to parasites

I know this snake was healthy before this guy got it because, as fate would have it, Adam (T.O.SK8TER) owned this snake a while ago. We compared pics and it is indeed the same snake - I also have an idea now what he will look like when he sheds!

Zoe

T.O-SK8TER · 10-23-03, 08:16 PM

Just so things are clear here! It was not me that got this boa sick, I kept him extremely healthy. I traded him to a guy for a burm and to my knowledge he took poor care of him, I will not express my rage here, but I know he is in good hands now!

Zoe · 10-23-03, 08:29 PM

Ah! Glad you cleared that up, he was definitely healthy when you had him!!

Zoe

Linds · 10-23-03, 09:40 PM

He looks like such a pretty boy in that pic! I hope he gets back to that condition soon!

T.O-SK8TER · 10-23-03, 10:22 PM

Well Zoe says he is in shed right now, and when I had him he always looked like crap before a shed, his scales turned kinda grey and would get these weird looking lines on him kinda like ribs, after his sheed he looked like the most beutiful columbian so maybey he will pull through alright! The thing is this guy has plenty other animals so I wonder what condition they are in aswell?