Dry skin??

[corr]

Hi all. I thought I better ask about this because it's been bothering me.

My Irian Jaya seems to have dry skin all the time especially on the top of her head. It's like she's in a shed cycle but this has been going on for a few months. I don't get it because the humidity in her cage is always between 70 and 90 and she even soaks in her water dish quite often.

Can anyone shine some light on this for me?

[corr]

I think it might be a fungal infection. I've read that Betadine should be used but I can't find any (is it just American?). Does anyone know if Micatin is the same thing?

[Zoe]

Just go to shoppers and ask for betadine.

I'm not sure what it is, but I think a vet trip is in order.

Zoe

[Andy_G]

I think you should take your snake to a vet.

[corr]

I have an appointment with her at 5:30 today. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks

[JKUROSKI]

I think what you are looking at is hard water!!! Is it little white flecks? If your snake is soaking all the time, it is more than likely getting mineral deposites inbetween it's scales. Get a pic of it and I will try to help you save some cash possibly.

[Jeff_Favelle]

JK is totally right. Its probably just hard water deposits. More importantly, you're gonna probably have to figure out why your Carpet is soaking, because they normally don't.

[corr]

I got home to take her and she has started a shed. I took her in anyway but I have to go back once she sheds. Hard water deposits never crossed my mind. My camera isn't good enough to get so close.

I was wondering about the soaking so I inspected her carefully for mites or anything else I could find and there was nothing. And the temps on the cool end are always between 75 and 80 so it shouldn't be too hot.

Do carpets' scales around the eyes get drawn back before they shed? This is what initiated my panic when I saw a thin grey area around one of her eyes. Now it's both. My vet seems to think she has retained eye caps but I don't think so.

[JKUROSKI]

What about hide areas? I would make sure that there is a tight small hide spot available for your snake. Remove the water bowl during the day and add more hides (the snake should be active at night so the water can be there then). Once the snake is comfortable in a new hide area it should abandon the water bowl idea. Spot-check your microhabitat temps and humidity in all areas of the cage, and adjust if needed. There are probably only a few reasons for prolonged soaking. Mites, shed (with no sufficient ambient humidity), thermoregulation, insecurity, etc. Make a checklist and try to eliminate each reason.

[corr]

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/3015/88dcp_0004_1.jpg

Her cage is the one that is top right. It's hard to see because of the reflection but there are 5 small (3") clay pots that she uses plus one large one there just to take up space (but she actually uses it). If you look carefully, you can see her perched on the edge of the water dish. She has not been in there for a few days now. I expect her to shed anytime.

The ambient temp stays around 80 with a hot spot between 94 and 98. Humidity between 70 and 90.

I'm hoping that hard water deposits is all it is.

Thanks for the direction guys.

[JKUROSKI]

How big is that tank and how big is the snake?

[corr]

The tank is 50 galon is she is about 2 and half feet. That's why I have so many hides because the tank is on the large side for her.

[vanderkm]

The water deposits on the head are definately possible cause of the white discoloration. The rims around the eyes are likely normal coloration - quite prominant and not retained eye caps - see photo of normal Irian jaya below - is that what they look like?

Our carpet pythons did not soak but would perch on the rim of the water dish with part of body hanging in water when young. When we added branches that were closer to their body diameter they chose them as perches instead - might be worth a try to vary the branch diameters for it. Ours were all quite arboreal when young and we gave them branches within the hide boxes as well.

mary v.http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/3067/6303_may_24_zoe_m.jpg

[corr]

Yup, that's what the eyes look like! I'll have to find some better branches. I had one good one in there that she used a lot but it started to grow mould so I took it out. And that explains why she wasn't using the bamboo in there now, it's just too big. Thanks for the info!

[corr]

She shed last night and it came off perfect. There was an extra layer on the shed at the top of her head that looked like a previous shed (or was it the hard water deposits?). Anyway, she looks fantastic now! The vet wanted to see her again but I'm sure she won't find anything wrong with her. I constructed some perches out of 1/2" PVC that I think she'll enjoy. And I'm going to start using RO water in her dish and the spray bottle. :)

[Jeff_Favelle]

The large amounts of screen on those cages are going to cause you nothing but problems unless you have chameleons on them.

[corr]

Just got back from the vet. She got a clean bill of health. Thanks again everyone.

Jeff, I've converted two more of those screen doors to Lexan since that pic was taken. Since I've done that, the heat and humidity is contained so much better (plus there's no risk of nose rubbing of course). My Ball Python is eating like a maniac.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Excellent to hear! You're in the game now. For sure! :D

[corr]

Update - Last night she ate a large hopper, went onto her perch for a few minutes, and then back down into the water dish! She was still there when I checked this morning. I only have about an inch of water in it now and it's RO. Now, I just finished reading an article in the Oct Reptiles issue which said that "Some species of snakes enjoy soaking in water for a few days after they eat. So be sure to provide a water container large enough in which the animal can coil up.". Which species and why is this so??

[Jeff_Favelle]

Lots of boas do it, but definitely not Carpets, LOL!

You sure your cage isn't too warm? Does it have an adequate hide that is a good temperature (85-90F)?

[corr]

Yeah! All the temps are perfect! The side the water bowl is on stays around 80 (ambient) and the hot hide is ~ 95. Do I just have one strange carpet or what? lol

[JKUROSKI]

I would put her in a smaller cage with smaller tighter hides and a very small water bowl that she would have a hard to getting into. I would also offer a humidity hide.