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#2267823 Ambersjourney View Profile	Treatment for my ball python Greetings all, I’m hoping for some help with my ball python. Acquired two about two months ago, both adults appx. 4 feet long. One seems to exhibit burn-like appearance on underbelly (reddish-brown). It was eating fine for the first month but it hasn’t eaten anything in over three weeks! Also, am unsure if I should be applying antibiotic to the burn? Since noticing, I’ve unplugged heater (heat mat, no way to control heat--it’s either on or off). I keep terrarium sprayed with water to add humidity and I keep it clean. Should I be concerned about my snake’s lack of appetite? How should I treat its underbelly? If my house and the cage are kept at appx. 70-72 degrees, is it necessary to keep the heat mat on? Any help will be appreciated. Thank you in advance!
05/27/12  01:46am
#2267827 Edf View Profile	Message To: Ambersjourney   In reference to Message Id: 2267823  Treatment for my ball python Quote: heat mat, no way to control heat--it’s either on or off) that right there is your problem. you need to buy a thermostat or a rheostat- the t-stat will click on when the temp cools down, and click off when the desitred temp is reached. A rheostat controls the amount of energy gong to the UTH to control the heat. Quote: If my house and the cage are kept at appx. 70-72 degrees, is it necessary to keep the heat mat on? That right there is much MUCH colder then what I keep my cool sides at at Winter!!! They NEED a hot spot to : 1- digest ( of its too cold- which it is- the snake wont eat) 2- the lower the temp- the lower their immune system. Cold temps does not bring on a respiratory problem- but cold temps make the snakes immune system not work as good, and the snake can get sick. So to answer your question- yes, they do need a heat mat even in those temps. It needs to be controled by something so the snake doesnt get burnt- which your snake may be ( its either a burn, or scale rot- both are bnot good for the snake) Bps are exotic snakes- they do not come from an area that has our climate, and therefor cannot withstand it. I wouldnt even consider offering the snake food without heat- if the snake were to eat- it can regurg, or the rodent can rot inside the snakes belly. I wouldnt be concerned about th e not eating- they are adults, and males especially can go off feed for a long time. I would, however, fix the heater issue asap- the sooner the better. About the belly- you need to keep it clean. However, i cannopt give info out unless I know if it is for sure a belly burn or scale rot- treatment advice for one will not be good at all for the other. A burn is when the UTH get stoo hot, and scale rot is from the snake laying in damp and /or unclean condtions.
05/27/12  07:10am
#2268114 Ambersjourney View Profile	Message To: Edf   In reference to Message Id: 2267827  Treatment for my ball python Thank you SO VERY MUCH for taking the time to provide me with add’l info. None of what you recommended was in any of the snake care books I checked out from the library. I’ll go check into the rheostat at the pet store tomorrow. And I’m happy to know that I shouldn’t yet be concerned about my snakes’ not eating. Again, thank you!
05/29/12  11:07pm
#2268135 Edf View Profile	Message To: Ambersjourney   In reference to Message Id: 2268114  Treatment for my ball python one mroe thing- are you housing these snakes together?? That can cause stress- the ’cuddling’ together is actually fighting for the best spoty. One snake will dominate another. I took in 2 females that were houseed together. Both were the same age- one weighed MUCH less. One snake was a little on the mean side, the other was extremely shy. you can guess which one dominated over the other. also- 2 males can fight if mature. i put 2 males together for 5 minutes until i got other tubs- and boy the male spider was picking a fight with my cinny. male to female- prpare yourself for babies- and that male will pester the female to mate. perhaps that is one reason the one girl didnt move off th eheat spot? ( if housed together) plus, say one snake poops out turds and has worms in it- which snake did it? One snake sick with a respiratory infection ( contagious) well, count on both being sick. housing together is more stressful on the bps. they are solitary animals. yes, you may find a few huddled together in the wild- however, they have the option to move out. np with the info!! you should get 2 rheostats- one fo reach of the snakes cage!
05/30/12  08:12am

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