my snake is sick please help!!!!!!

jjc7xxx · 03-07-05, 11:38 PM

hi my name is josh, i have a 3 year old ball python. just today i noticed he has like a swollen blody wich seems to be filled with a liquid, or air, im pretty sure its a liquid. it only in the lower half of his body. again he is puffed up and filled with some kind of liquid i dont know what it is. what should i do?

HeatherRose · 03-07-05, 11:40 PM

Can you take it to a reptile vet? Where are you located?

I would get it to a vet ASAP or get some pictures of his injuries/ailment.

Does it look like a cut, burn, blister or something else? Can you tell us about the enclosure you keep it in? Temps, humidity, what you use to heat it, etc.

Good luck

chappy · 03-08-05, 12:16 AM

Is it possible that your snake is shedding, and it was soaking and got water between the shed and its skin?

A picture would definitely help...

Nick

jjc7xxx · 03-08-05, 10:21 AM

my snakes body is puffed up and filled with some kind of liquid. when i push on the puffy area the puffy liquid inside moves around. i know it is some kind of liquid. so the lower half of his body is filled with a liquid. at the tip of his tail its normal size but just abouve his tail it puffs up all the way to half of his body and when i push on his side the liquid mushes around like and air bubble in a level.

jjc7xxx · 03-08-05, 10:23 AM

i have a 60 watt heat lamp. heat pad underneath cage. 3 ft.2 ft. ceadar chips for bedding. water bowl and a half log for shelter from light.

jjc7xxx · 03-08-05, 10:26 AM

imagine him getting water between his sheding skin and his real skin. thats what it looks like but the liquid is under his real skin! starting at the tail and goes up to half of his body its really puffy and i push on it and i slushes around so i know its liquid, is this a diiseas or what, i dont know of any rep vet around. plus i dont make alot of money to pay the bills i willl probly get.

sturiches2000 · 03-08-05, 10:45 AM

I was under the impression you shouldn't use cedar for reptile or small animals cause it could poison them. I hope someone has more knowledge to expand on this, or to correct me.

Ducksarefun · 03-08-05, 11:17 AM

yea, cedar is NOT a good choice for reptiles (or other animals for that matter). It is toxic (ie: potentially deadly). I don't have any snakes, so I can't really help with this exact problem. I CAN help by recommending you start doing some reading and find out exactly how you should be caring for him. Seems like you have no idea what the temperature or humidity is in your tank (not good!)

That being said, I don't know what is wrong with your snake, but it could be a burn if he can burrow right down to the bottom of the tank so that he is too close to the heat pad. Pictures would help people... as would more specific information about care etc. Good luck!

Spirit · 03-08-05, 11:52 AM

Get that cedar out NOW! How long as he been living on the decar chips? Cedar has been proven to kill snakes so your safest removing it immediately and replacing it with paper towels temporarily.

As for treatment, I'm not sure exactly what to do, but DEFINITELY call your vet. And not to be rude, but while you're at it, do a little research on husbandy. Cedar is the one thing you should have already known NOT to do before even concidering to buy a snake.

Good luck!

marisa · 03-08-05, 12:06 PM

1. Remove the stupid cedar. It's been known to be harmful to reptiles for YEARS now.

2. Get a thermometer and measure your temps. Immediatly.

3. Take the snake to a vet. A blister that large could cause infection and problems that could be serious.

Snakes aren't toys, they aren't cheap and they take attention. Get it to a vet and get your husbandry fixed if you want yur snake to live. No one here can help you over the internet with such a potentially serious medical problem.

Marisa