Skin problem?

[nickamon]

Hi everyone,

I was handling Cassie tonight, and found something odd on her underbelly. Extending from her cloaca towards her head, there's a 4cm long patch of flaky, dry skin. It looks like a bad shed, when the old, dry skin is still stuck to the body. Cassie's last shed was clean, so I know it's not part of a stuck shed. She's due for her next shed in one week, and I've never seen dry skin patches like this around shed time.

I checked my books, and it doesn't sound like any of the skin ailments they describe. I'm worried that it might be scale rot, but they're not open sores. I'm also worried that it might be a burn from the heat mat (which is under 2cm of substrate in the tank, linked to a thermostat with a max of 32 degrees), but it doesn't look like a burn, and Cassie doesn't burrow.

(On the heater front, I have ordered a ceramic and reflector dome which will be suspended over my tank's wire top, so the mat won't be in service much longer.)

Do I have something to worry about, or am I just being paranoid?

Thanks everyone.

[cyclamen]

always better to be on the safe side mate. if u could post a pic that would help. but i would wait till she sheds, unless u think it looks serious then a trip to the vet wouldnt hurt. but see how her next shed goes..

[nickamon]

Originally Posted by melgalea

always better to be on the safe side mate. if u could post a pic that would help. but i would wait till she sheds, unless u think it looks serious then a trip to the vet wouldnt hurt. but see how her next shed goes..

I only have my crappy webcam at my disposal. My partner is OS and he has the real cam.

I am keeping an eye on it, and hoping it's just a weird pre-shed thing. It doesn't look serious, it just looks like dry skin. But, you know, first snake + something looking a bit unusual = freaked-out "Mum."

[nickamon]

Another thing I've noticed but forgot to add to my original post:

I have touched the flaky area, and Cassie didn't flinch, so I guess its not hurting her. On the other hand, she's not using her lower body or tail to grip when she's climbing. I let her climb on my hand earlier, and she wasn't holding on as usual.

Sigh. This is freaking me out. I'm calling the vet in the morning.

[Wrasse]

What species is Cassie ? What is the substrate that the heat mat is 'buried 2cms under' ? And pics please, scanner (stick the tail end in only and cover the unit gap to stop light bleed for pic quality and Cassies eyes), webcam, whatever. Without pics we really can't see what you are seeing.

[nickamon]

Hi Wrasse,

Cassie is a maculosa, 7 months old, 45cm long. She's got sand for substrate. I tried the webcam last night, but it's far too blurry. I don't have a scanner.

I'm waiting for the vet's to open so can give them a call.

[nickamon]

Update: I soaked Cassie, and she shed. I panicked over nothing. It was strange though - her skin didn't turn dull, which is usually does.

Crisis over!

[mrsshep77]

That's great news! I'm glad it wasn't anything major!!! My maccie did that last time, she shed without me seeing her go dull or milky??!! Oh well at least everything is ok!

Mell

[Wrasse]

Good to hear everything turned out well.

[nickamon]

Thanks. I feel pretty dopey that I went straight to panic, when I knew that Cassie's next shed was around the corner.