Scab on nose = rubbing??

**Pareeeee** · 12-31-12, 06:21 PM

Kahless has had a scabby spot on the top of his nose for about a week or so, could it be caused from rubbing or could it mean something more serious? Not sure how common a thing it is.

Anyway, should I treat it with anything or will it heal on its own? It's dry, no oozing or bleeding. A little flakey around the edges, just like any scab. (sorry, no pics, he's still digesting the meal he consumed yesterday)

Gungirl · 12-31-12, 06:23 PM

My guess would be nose rub... I personally would leave it be and let it heal on its own as long as it doesn't look real raw or infected. Also take a look through the set up and see if you can find what he is rubbing on.

**Pareeeee** · 12-31-12, 06:27 PM

Not sure, he's just got regular stuff like a water dish, plastic leafy vine, a big hide made of cork bark (it's a bit rough of course, being bark, but not sharp), also a branch and a piece of driftwood. Oh and thermometer and hygrometer. The thermometer has a bit of a hard edge on it, maybe I will remove it and use the other one I have.

Gungirl · 12-31-12, 06:30 PM

Do you have a screen lid? Edge of a door? Maybe not something in the viv but part of the viv itself?

**Pareeeee** · 12-31-12, 06:46 PM

No screen lid. The viv is a plastic tub with holes made with a soldering iron. I will check and see if there are any rough plastic edges...

Calihusker · 12-31-12, 10:40 PM

Make sure that the holes in the bin don't have sharp edges, I had a similar problem awhile back with my Central American Boa. It healed right up after I softened the edges on the air-holes!

I've heard that if it gets raw and infected rather than scabbed over, you can apply Neosporin, but I wouldn't just take my word for it.

Jendee · 12-31-12, 11:56 PM

nose rubs are caused by snakes wanting to get out! lol so I would take a look at temps, humidity, feeding schedule, it is breeding season could this be a factor, possibly mites as well. a happy snake is a resting snake

I have used triple antibiotic ointment just gob a nice dab up there, keeps it moist and protects a bit from friction plus it has some healing powers

**Pareeeee** · 01-01-13, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calihusker

Make sure that the holes in the bin don't have sharp edges, I had a similar problem awhile back with my Central American Boa. It healed right up after I softened the edges on the air-holes!

Thanks! I think that's it! I checked the air holes and YES some of them had very rough edges, so I smoothed them down.

At night time when he's out and about he's always got his little nose sticking out the holes, just sits there "sniffing" through the holes. That's probably what it was. I shall wait and see!

**Pareeeee** · 01-01-13, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jendee

nose rubs are caused by snakes wanting to get out! lol so I would take a look at temps, humidity, feeding schedule, it is breeding season could this be a factor, possibly mites as well. a happy snake is a resting snake

I have used triple antibiotic ointment just gob a nice dab up there, keeps it moist and protects a bit from friction plus it has some healing powers

I think it was the air holes that he's always curiously stuffing his nose in. Some had very rough edges.

Never noticed him actually rubbing before, so I think the holes must have been it.

He is very healthy, shiny and fat.

Healthy looking scales, no rot, no mites.
He spends most of his time in his hide, but some evenings I see him out stuffing his nose into the air holes, or resting on top of his hide.
Humidity I try to keep around 60%, sometimes it ends up being 70% though...may make some more holes to create more ventilation.
Temps are 90-93F on warm side. Cool side is not monitored, is about room temp.
Just upped his food size to small rats, he eats like a pig! As soon as he sees the rat he grabs it like he's psycho

I actually "play" with him at feeding time, I overdo the "zombie dance", he seems to love it when the rat is running around and spazzing out on the end of the tongs. I should video tape him, his little head is swooshing back and forth, trying to keep up with the crazy rat.
He's too young to be breeding (about 5 - 5.5 months).

I have polysporin antibiotic ointment (for humans), would that be ok?

Jendee · 01-01-13, 09:32 AM

the thing snakes are seditary animals...they don't Cruz around for fun they stay hidden unmoving conserving energy to eat breed. the only reason a snake has to move is to eat drink or breed if ur providing there needs they should be perfectly happy sitting in their favorite spot. The holes do need to be smooth because they will cause damage. closer to feeding day activity should rise due to hunting behaviors but as far as someone pushing their nose thru a hole. I would be assessing the situation better. stressed snakes get nose rubs. I hope u don't get offended. my animals have had nose rubs it happens, just trying to help out =) and yes the stuff for people is what I have used make sure not to get it near his nostrils

**Pareeeee** · 01-01-13, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jendee

the thing snakes are seditary animals...they don't Cruz around for fun they stay hidden unmoving conserving energy to eat breed. the only reason a snake has to move is to eat drink or breed if ur providing there needs they should be perfectly happy sitting in their favorite spot. The holes do need to be smooth because they will cause damage. closer to feeding day activity should rise due to hunting behaviors but as far as someone pushing their nose thru a hole. I would be assessing the situation better. stressed snakes get nose rubs. I hope u don't get offended. my animals have had nose rubs it happens, just trying to help out =) and yes the stuff for people is what I have used make sure not to get it near his nostrils

I just thought he was more active because he's young? I thought it was natural for juvenile snakes to be more active. He's not active during the day. Only at night have I noticed him out.

He is, however, super active when I take him out. He wants to crawl everywhere. Reaches up for my face. Reaches up for the wall. Tries to get in my sleeve. In my shirt. In my hair. In the couch. On my husband. lol. Wants to climb everything. Sometimes it's annoying when you just want him to sit on your lap

It is better than him creating a terrified ball of fear in my hand like he used to though.

Jendee · 01-01-13, 09:52 AM

he's just looking for a private place to chill out =)

**Pareeeee** · 01-01-13, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jendee

he's just looking for a private place to chill out =)

Like inside my nose. lol. He's fascinated with my face...

**Aaron_S** · 01-02-13, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

Like inside my nose. lol. He's fascinated with my face...

It's REALLY warm with all the hot air you're blowing (and I mean literally).

If it's dried and flakey then it's already in the healing process and you seemed to have corrected the problem.

keep an eye on it and over the next shed or two you should see a big jump in the healing process.

**Pareeeee** · 01-02-13, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

It's REALLY warm with all the hot air you're blowing (and I mean literally).

Oh yeah? Well I heard you power these in your spare time, without using a flame!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

If it's dried and flakey then it's already in the healing process and you seemed to have corrected the problem.

keep an eye on it and over the next shed or two you should see a big jump in the healing process.

Yeah I took him out today and the scab already looks a bit better than even a few days ago.