Raised / Lifted Scales

[tempest]

On Friday I noticed my DP had 3 raised scales just under his head, which appear to be black underneath. I've done some reading and know that raised scales are an indication of mites, however he's not showing any other signs. He hasn't been soaking, I can't see any movement on him and there is nothing in his waterbowl. He hasn't come into contact with any other reptiles and the closest he's come to any other animal is through being in the same room that my dog has been in (obviously not at the same time however).

I've tried to take a couple of pics but it's not easy trying to juggle a snake and get a reasonably well focused photo. Could this be mites? I know there's another thread up at the moment about treatment, just hoping to get some opinions on the likelihood of the raised scales indicating mites.

So here are the photos. Your opinions are appreciated, thanks!

[zard]

if there is no obvious sign of mites maybe a trip to the vets might be in order.

Best of luck with it.

[serpenttongue]

Judging by the pics it doesnt look like mites. Grab a very thin stick or the blunt end of a sewing needle(NOT knitting needle :wink: ) and carefully scoop the black out from under the scales. You'll know if it's mites as they will start crawling over the snakes scales.

What's your substrate? Debris can get lodged under a snakes belly scales and cause infection, depending on the cage substrate. It looks more like this than mites to me.

Also, you shouldnt rely on a snake constantly soaking or rubbing etc to let you know it has mites as many snakes can tolerate the itchiness of mites while in small numbers. To find out for sure if it has mites pull the scales away from the spectacles or part the fold that runs from the chin, down the throat. You'll find them there.

[NCHERPS]

It's hard to make out anything from the pictures, but I would throw another theory in there to.It might be a mild case of blistering, caused by an excessive heat source, like a heat mat, or maybe the start of a mild scale rot.
Of course it could be the mites to, without seeing some much clearer images, it's all guess work.

Neil

[tempest]

Originally Posted by serpenttongue

Judging by the pics it doesnt look like mites. Grab a very thin stick or the blunt end of a sewing needle(NOT knitting needle :wink: ) and carefully scoop the black out from under the scales. You'll know if it's mites as they will start crawling over the snakes scales.

What's your substrate? Debris can get lodged under a snakes belly scales and cause infection, depending on the cage substrate. It looks more like this than mites to me.

Also, you shouldnt rely on a snake constantly soaking or rubbing etc to let you know it has mites as many snakes can tolerate the itchiness of mites while in small numbers. To find out for sure if it has mites pull the scales away from the spectacles or part the fold that runs from the chin, down the throat. You'll find them there.

Thank you serpenttongue, I'll try what you suggest and scoop the black out as well as check the fold under his chin. The substrate is astro turf, so I don't think it has to do with that.

Originally Posted by NCHERPS

It's hard to make out anything from the pictures, but I would throw another theory in there to.It might be a mild case of blistering, caused by an excessive heat source, like a heat mat, or maybe the start of a mild scale rot.
Of course it could be the mites to, without seeing some much clearer images, it's all guess work.

Neil

I don't think it's blistering as he doesn't have a heat mat, just the heat lamp at the top of the vivarium.

Here's one other photo, although it's not much clearer.

[BlindSnake]

Could be eggs(mite) But hard to tell.One thing I do know is that mites have a 72 hour breeding cycle, so if it is, they're ready to hatch!!! So keep an eye out, could be why he hasn't soaked so far. Then again could be nothing....

[Hix]

Actually, on that last pic, it looks like a tick under each scale.......



Hix

[tempest]

Thanks for your input guys, I will get him out tonight when I have someone else around to hold him so I can check him out thoroughly.

[serpenttongue]

Originally Posted by tempest

I don't think it's blistering as he doesn't have a heat mat, just the heat lamp at the top of the vivarium.

Blisters/scale rot can develop from only providing a heat source from above, especially if the heat from the globe cant reach the floor due to the height of the enclosure. You really need a heat mat under your enclosure.

From the newer pics it looks like the black is actually random black flecks typical on the bellies of diamonds. The slight redness looks like an infection beneath the scale.

Scrap the black out!