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Grass snakes with acne: |
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Alan Hyde Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 1416  View other posts by Alan Hyde |
Posted: 02 May 2007 Every so often while out and about I find the odd ropey looking grassy , as i'm sure we all do. Bits of tail missing , scars, and sometimes lumps on the body. These lumps do not come through the scales and I haven't a clue what they are. Does anyone know what causes these skin blemishes? Cheers, Al O-> O+> |
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Robert V Senior Member Joined: 06 Aug 2004 No. of posts: 717 View other posts by Robert V |
Posted: 03 May 2007 Al, I've a feeling that these blemishes are as a result of exposure to damp, a sort of wet rot if you like. The ropey ones that I find are usually just out from hibernation. Over a place called Copped Hall, there used to be a very deep and exposed well there,(fortunately theyve now filled it in as it was very dangerous for kids etc and I used to rescue grassies from inside every month or so. they were covered in these lesions, but, I think once the sun gets on them and vitamins get into the body again, they largely clear up. I was told by Les (do you remember her, she used to own Repider gold pet shop in Enfield?) that a petroleum gel was harmless to snakes but if applied to the sores, they would clear up very quickly so I think it has to do with vitamin deficiency in general, although Ill happily stand corrected on that by any vets on here!. See you mate. Rob RobV |
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Alan Hyde Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 1416 View other posts by Alan Hyde |
Posted: 03 May 2007 Hi Robert, Thanks mate, nice to have your thoughts on this. There is another reason i'm asking, you see one of my captives has come out with one of these lumps on her nose and I thought, "where have I seen these before, grass snakes". So is that petroleum gel as in vasaline? All the best ole bean, Al O-> O+> |
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herpvet Member Joined: 30 Oct 2006 No. of posts: 30  View other posts by herpvet |
Posted: 07 May 2007 Hi, Do you have pictures of the lumps? Blister disease in snakes is often reported to be associated with damp conditions. Unless obviously blisters, the majority of lumps in reptiles are abscesses, which will usually need surgical drainage as well as possible antibiotics, but other causes are possible, such as tumours. Fatty lumps are common in captivity, but not on the nose, and would be unlikely in a wild individual. Vitamin C deficiency is thought to be associated with some skin problems in snakes, but generally skin fragility rather than any lumps. Skin condition will to a certain extent be affected by nutrition generally, but little specific is known - vitamin A deficiency causes mucous membrane changes, but this is usually around the eyelids or mouth. It is not usually recorded in snakes however. being far more common in aquatic chelonia. I would suggest getting your captive snake to a vet for clinical evaluation, as treatment of some sort may well be necessary. Bruce Maclean, Bird & Exotic Animal Veterinary Services. |
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Alan Hyde Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 1416 View other posts by Alan Hyde |
Posted: 07 May 2007 Thanks Bruce, most kind of you to put in some advice. This snake is an arboreal that needs to be kept at around the 60-80% humidity mark to prevent impaction from constipation. The lump does not appear to be a blister as the scales are covering it perfectly without defect and her diet has always been good. It would be a difficult situation should the humidity be causing this lump as they do not do well in dry atmospheres. I'll try to get a picture soon and put it up All the best, Alan O-> O+> |
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Alan Hyde Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 1416 View other posts by Alan Hyde |
Posted: 08 May 2007 Just returned from the vets this morning. Together The Vet and I lanced the lump and drew off yellowish red liquid. She is now on a course of antibio's and I have removed her source of humidity temporarily. Fingers crossed Alan O-> O+> |
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herpvet Member Joined: 30 Oct 2006 No. of posts: 30 View other posts by herpvet |
Posted: 08 May 2007 Hi Alan, Glad to hear you got it sorted. Just in case you're unaware, if you ever find obviously ill wild herps, most vets should treat wildlife for free (though check with your vet!). Cheers, Bruce. Bruce Maclean, Bird & Exotic Animal Veterinary Services. |
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Alan Hyde Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 1416 View other posts by Alan Hyde |
Posted: 08 May 2007 Hi Bruce, Thanks for that usefull bit of info. I'm good friends with my vet and he always does the best he can for me with any animal wild or domesticated. Will keep you posted on this snakes progress All the best, Alan O-> O+> |
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Alan Hyde Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 1416 View other posts by Alan Hyde |
Posted: 23 May 2007 Hi Bruce, The lump has nearly vanished now but, I've just discovered that this snake is definitely gravid, do you think the course of Baytril will have harmed the developing young in any way? Thanks, Alan O-> O+> |
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herpvet Member Joined: 30 Oct 2006 No. of posts: 30 View other posts by herpvet |
Posted: 23 May 2007 Hi Alan, The main theoretical risk would be due to the fact that baytril (enrofloxacin) affects cartilage in growing animals (it is not recommended in growing mammals). However, no study, as far as I am aware, has demonstrated any such problem in reptiles (and reptiles might in theory be more susceptible, since some at least continue growing throughout life). This risk seems to be generally considered minimal in reptiles. High doses have been associated with retinal problems leading to blindness in cats; the mechanism is still not well understood as far as I'm aware, so it is difficult to comment on the likelihood in baby snakes. It's never been recorded as a side-effect in reptiles to my knowledge. Other recorded side effects are local (injection site reactions) or short-term (regurgitation, frothing, hypersenstivity reactions) so should not be an issue. All of which is a very complicated way of saying it's possible but not enough is known to give any reasonable prediction! : ) Bruce Maclean, Bird & Exotic Animal Veterinary Services. |
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Alan Hyde Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 1416 View other posts by Alan Hyde |
Posted: 25 May 2007 Morning Bruce, Thanks mate, much appreciated. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the unborn young are not affected in any way. Cheers, Al O-> O+> |
- Grass snakes with acne |