somethings wrong with my snake

gts4749 · 04-15-14, 07:06 PM

I was hoping I could get some help on what is wrong with her and what to do to help. She's got brown spots on her belly scales that from what I've researched appear to be scale rot? She also has some reddish pink tones to her belly which I understand could mean she's going to shed however her last shed was about 2 weeks ago. I turned the uth heater off in case that was causing burns. Using repti bark as a substrate which I took out and rinsed thoroughly in hot water about 3 days ago. It was still a bit damp when I put it back in. Sorry for the rant I just want to give as much info to help.

**Tsubaki** · 04-16-14, 10:51 AM

Try to keep it on dry clean bedding for a while, it should clear up with shedding. Always be careful putting damp bedding into an enclosure.. Snakes need a clean and dry place to lie down. Does it smell fowl? Scale rot often has a very foul smell.

sharthun · 04-16-14, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

Try to keep it on dry clean bedding for a while, it should clear up with shedding. Always be careful putting damp bedding into an enclosure.. Snakes need a clean and dry place to lie down. Does it smell fowl? Scale rot often has a very foul smell.

Also, I don't know if you have your heat mat connected to a thermostat. This will prevent any unnecessary burns and control your hot spot's temp.

gts4749 · 04-16-14, 12:02 PM

Last night I checked her bedding it is dry now. I did notice a smell, could've been the terrified rat I attempted to feed her though. I will check again tonight. Also no the heat mat is not connected to a thermostat yet, where should I place the temp probe once it is installed?

sharthun · 04-16-14, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gts4749

Last night I checked her bedding it is dry now. I did notice a smell, could've been the terrified rat I attempted to feed her though. I will check again tonight. Also no the heat mat is not connected to a thermostat yet, where should I place the temp probe once it is installed?

When I was using heat tape, I placed the tstat temp probe between the heat tape and bottom of tank. Then I monitored temps where the snake hangs out in hot spot to adjust to desired temp. Worked well for me. I use RHP's now.

shaunyboy · 04-16-14, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gts4749

Last night I checked her bedding it is dry now. I did notice a smell, could've been the terrified rat I attempted to feed her though. I will check again tonight. Also no the heat mat is not connected to a thermostat yet, where should I place the temp probe once it is installed?

you need to get a thermostat asap mate

it may be burns on the snakes belly,it may have been caused by the water in the damp substrate heating up,or the heat mat getting too hot because it don't have a thermostat, (un stated mats have been known to go on fire)

i once had a Carpet Python in a quarantine tub,it trailed itself through it's water bowl,then moved all the substrate off the bottom of the plastic tub at the hot end,the snake then sat directly on the hot end,the water on the snakes belly heated up enough to cause burns,and that was on a heat mat with a thermostat,the mat was on the outside of the tub

re probe
when you get a thermostat,the probe needs to be in the hot end

cheers shaun

P.S. If your snakes burnt,the pink areas will turn brown and dry out,it may even scab up (depending on how bad the burn is)

pdomensis · 04-16-14, 01:58 PM

I agree with those above. Get a thermostat and a good way to measure temps like a temp gun. If it's not a burn then you would want to get your UTH going again before you run into new problems from being too cold. My two cents, the pink looks like pre-shed to me, but I couldn't see the spots that well. Also, if at all possible, go with frozen/thawed rats in the future. Hope it turns out ok.

sharthun · 04-16-14, 02:04 PM

A good inexpensive on/off thermostat is hydrofarm.

Digital Heat Mat Temperature Controller by Hydrofarm - Essential Hardware

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-Digi...mat+thermostat

gts4749 · 04-16-14, 10:48 PM

Thank you all for the responses. I checked her again tonight I didn't notice any smell. I broke off a leaf of aloe and applied it to her belly hopefully that will help. Thanks for the link sharthun I've been looking for a good thermostat and I'll be picking one up for each of my snakes. I've got a 150 watt IR bulb above her for now and a ceramic heater over my boa till I can get the mats properly regulated.

SnakeyJay · 04-17-14, 03:19 AM

So now your running ceramics and incandescent bulbs without a stat?!

gts4749 · 04-17-14, 06:34 AM

Yeah I need to keep them warm somehow until the thermostats arrive

gts4749 · 04-17-14, 06:47 AM

Unless you have another suggestion?

sharthun · 04-17-14, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gts4749

Thank you all for the responses. I checked her again tonight I didn't notice any smell. I broke off a leaf of aloe and applied it to her belly hopefully that will help. Thanks for the link sharthun I've been looking for a good thermostat and I'll be picking one up for each of my snakes. I've got a 150 watt IR bulb above her for now and a ceramic heater over my boa till I can get the mats properly regulated.

Two excellent thermostats are: Spyder Robotics (Herpstat)and Vivarium Electrnnics (VE).

Spyder Robotics

Vivarium Electronics

Of course these cost more but are well worth it. I will upgrade my hydrofarms if/when they ever fail.

Lankyrob · 04-17-14, 10:30 AM

A ceramic will cause way more serious burns than a heat mat. They can easily get over 400f. Is it at least guarded so the snake can't touch it?

gts4749 · 04-17-14, 10:45 AM

Yes it sits about 14 inches above my boss hide on top of the screen cover. Same with the IR bulb for my ball