python with lumps

[lauraschram]

I recently bought 5 coastal carpet pythons hatchings with the intention of keeping 1 and selling the rest on – I have had some trouble getting some of them to feed but otherwise they seemed healthy.
When I cleaned the cage today I noticed that one of them has lumps down the side of its body. They are about the size of a match head or smaller and the overlying scales look stretched but normal. As far as I can tell only one snake is effected and the lumps have arisen over a period of only a few days. I have no idea what they could be or what to do – any help would be fantastic!

I will try and post some photos but need to borrow a better camera.
thanks
laura

[dragon170]

Any photo's?
Is this one eating ok?
what is it's temprement like does it like to hide, or swim or handles ok?

[dragon170]

What temprature are they being kept at also

[shamous1]

Pics would be great. Can you see any visible mites under the scales that may be causing them to lift up? Also what substrate are you using as I have had a python in the past get a few water lumps under the skin.

[OuZo]

I've seen a green tree snake with skin worms before which just looked like little lumps all over the body and I think each one actually had a little worm in it . Don't know a lot about them but perhaps do a little research on skin worms. Or even better take it to a vet

[whatsup]

how long since a feed?how much has it had to eat since hatching? i had a trouble feeder that would'nt keep anything down even when assist fed.it wound up getting lumps on it which are caused from a calcium deficiency.if thats what it has i don't like the chances of it staying alive.

[mickousley]

sound like skin worm found mainly in wild caught reptiles
Mick

[rodentrancher]

Where or what do they catch those from please? Skin worms that is?

[lauraschram]

no photos as yet - don't have a very good camera

the snake is eating well on fuzzy mice - it a little snappy due to not being handled but otherwise acts normal and is not soaking in its water at all. I am using plastic tubs with paper toweling changed every few days as a substrate.
i am probably keeping them a little bit cooler than i should but am unsure as to weather this can cause lumps - i will warm it up so as it can best fight whatever is going on
As far as visible mites - i am a vet student so i know what to look for as far as those that may be seen externally - and none are present.
having said that we don't get taught very much at all as far as specific reptile parasites go.
i have ivermectin and have been told it can be used on snakes but don't know how much to use or which way is best to administer it.

i am also unsure as to weather it can hurt snakes as it does have adverse affects in some animals.

thanks so much for your help

[lauraschram]

feeding well on pinkly and fuzzy mice, last one 2 or 3 days ago when the snake was 'normal'. As far as i'm aware they are captive bred but i will ask the guy i got them from.

do you know the name of these skin worms and or treatment options?

[whatsup]

they get skin worms from eating frogs

[serpenttongue]

Skin worms can occur from feeding wild skinks to hatchling pythons. Did the previous owner start them on skinks?

[rodentrancher]

Cool, my pythons have never been fed frogs or wild skinks thank goodness!! Only home bred ratties out of the freezer.

[lauraschram]

i was told they had been fed rats but ive emailed the guy i got them from.
i only feed mice and rats as i breed them meyself and feed fresh so shouldn't be any probs there -my colony is very healthy.

[mickousley]

blister disease is another, there is a section in Johns book care of captive reptiles
mick