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Michael H
Snake mite

United Kingdom
36 Posts

Posted - 24/02/2015 :  10:46:06  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
So i've been meaning to come on here for a few days but i've been flat out with redecorating etc.

So on Thursday last week, I had my female BRB out, and noticed some marks on the top of her head, upon closer inspection it was white and patchy, looked a bit sore. She also had 2 white spots along her spine. Being 10pm at night, I was rather worried as I had nowhere to take them at that hour.

Inspected the male and he looked fine, no markings etc so I went about seperating them so that whatever it was, didnt spread. The female was up most of the night, with her head towards the lid of the BRB, as if she had trouble breating.

The next morning I inspected them both, and the Male had now developed a single spot on its spine. Phoned the vets and got an appointment. The vet seemed to think it was a bacterial infection of some sort, so they were both given injections (cant remember what it was) and I was given some cream to rub onto the patches/spots.

Pleased to say the male is now completely free of any marks etc now, and the female is looking much better. Due in for another injection on Friday to keep ontop of things.

Snakesitter
Rainbow Master

USA
2718 Posts

Posted - 25/02/2015 :  20:29:07  Show Profile  Visit Snakesitter's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Michael, did you take any pictures? I'd love to see what you are describing. Glad to hear they're getting better though!

Cliff Earle
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Michael H
Snake mite

United Kingdom
36 Posts

Posted - 25/02/2015 :  22:22:27  Show Profile  Reply with Quote


Didnt get a pic to start with but heres what i just got. Not the best pic as she is just starting to shed, but gives you an idea
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master

USA
2718 Posts

Posted - 26/02/2015 :  20:17:46  Show Profile  Visit Snakesitter's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Sorry Michael, but I'm not seeing a picture?

Cliff Earle
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Michael H
Snake mite

United Kingdom
36 Posts

Posted - 27/02/2015 :  00:40:24  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Odd... try the link

http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/michaelh1093/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150225_220224_zpsgfwbl5db.jpg.html
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master

USA
2718 Posts

Posted - 28/02/2015 :  03:03:07  Show Profile  Visit Snakesitter's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Ah, I can see the top one now -- the location where I was reading the forum must have blocked picts. That is most certainly abnormal and worthy of treatment. Looks fungal. Did they do a culture?

Cliff Earle
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Michael H
Snake mite

United Kingdom
36 Posts

Posted - 02/03/2015 :  11:36:27  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Whats a culture?

They both had injections and I had to rub cream on them. Male is clear, the female has just shed and is looking miles better. Just 2 very faint spots on her neck so its definately doing the trick whatever it is.
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master

USA
2718 Posts

Posted - 03/03/2015 :  20:56:24  Show Profile  Visit Snakesitter's Homepage  Reply with Quote
A culture means they take a sample of the suspected pathogen and grow it in the lab. From this, they can verify its identity...which tells them how to best treat it. Without a culture, a vet can only guess on meds, and may suggest the wrong thing...wasting time while the animal gets more ill, both from the pathogen and incorrect medicine.

Glad to hear they are doing better for you! However, in the future, always best to ask abut cultures. :-)

Cliff Earle
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Michael H
Snake mite

United Kingdom
36 Posts

Posted - 04/03/2015 :  09:20:48  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Ok, so the female is basically completely clear of whatever it was she had. However, I noticed last night that she has a few raised scales along the side of her body. Thinking possibly lice or maybe even related to what she had previously? Going to give her a soak in some warm water tonight as I cant see any lice upon inspection.
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master

USA
2718 Posts

Posted - 04/03/2015 :  20:41:55  Show Profile  Visit Snakesitter's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Do you mean mites? If so, they would have to come from somewhere, and I'd be surprised the vet did not catch them. Mites are little tiny black dots, you can often see them drowned in water looking like little pepper flakes if a snake has an active infection.

More likely in my opinion is residual scale damage caused by whatever the pathogen was. Take a photo for your records and keep a close eye on both of them for more of it. If it's just residual damage then the next shed should fix it.

Cliff Earle
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Michael H
Snake mite

United Kingdom
36 Posts

Posted - 05/03/2015 :  10:29:15  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Mites, lice same thing to me :)

Thanks, I'll see how they go
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master

USA
2718 Posts

Posted - 05/03/2015 :  20:57:18  Show Profile  Visit Snakesitter's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Good luck!

Cliff Earle
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Michael H
Snake mite

United Kingdom
36 Posts

Posted - 25/03/2015 :  09:55:28  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
So not having much luck with the BRB's at the moment, they've both got over what they have previously, however about 10 days ago the male developed some very strange behaviour.

Swinging his head back and forth, leaving his tounge sticking out for long periods of time, striking at his food and missing twice and biting himself, picking the food up then letting go again (ended up refusing his food) etc. So very odd, I did get a video of the swinging of his head but not sure how to upload a video on here.

So back to the vet last Friday, back on anti biotics and strict qauranteen from the female, was back to normal by Tuesday, had another jab on Friday just gone and will be on it for the next 3 weeks. If symptoms remain the the vets will be taking samples (gather they mean blood?) to investigate further.
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master

USA
2718 Posts

Posted - 25/03/2015 :  19:40:34  Show Profile  Visit Snakesitter's Homepage  Reply with Quote
That sounds like either late-stage infection or neurological.

Yes, most likely bloodwork, to screen for abnormalities. They may also take a fecal sample or a biopsy if the vet feels it is appropriate. Make sure they try and culture whatever they find to ensure proper treatment.

Also double check temps and humidity in their vivs to make sure this was not caused by environment. Sometimes thermostats fail without any obvious signs.

Good luck!

Cliff Earle
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Michael H
Snake mite

United Kingdom
36 Posts

Posted - 13/04/2015 :  13:42:26  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Had last injection on Friday, no sign of any symptoms still so looking good, if all is well I'll re-introduce him back into his enclosure end of the week. I also chacked the temps/humidity with other stats and all are correct
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master

USA
2718 Posts

Posted - 13/04/2015 :  20:33:05  Show Profile  Visit Snakesitter's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Great news, Michael! Fingers crossed for a full and speedy recovery.

And if so, we'll of course need new picts as "evidence"! ;-)

Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles

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