My ball python's skin is stuck after partial shedding. What's wrong?

Thanks for reaching out about Natas and including photos. This could be something as simple as dry skin, so application of an olive oil once every few days might help return the skin integrity to normal. Remove any substrate that could adhere the lesion. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. A fungal or bacterial dermatitis, nutritional deficiencies, and other problems are still possible. Good luck.

Any new pet should be examined by a veterinarian within 72 hours of arriving home to confirm good health or to treat any preexisting conditions. If she is having difficulty breathing, she should be seen sooner rather than later in case she has or is developing a respiratory infection. Monitor for lethargy or discharge from the nose or mouth. Increase humidity or soak in warm water to facilitate shedding. You can also use commercial shed sprays that can be purchased online or in most pet stores. Follow this link for more information regarding care of ball pythons: http://www.anapsid.org/ball.html

Thanks for reaching out about Lilith. Check and correct husbandry parameters for temperature range. Try increasing to 90-95 F in the warm end, to try and stimulate the immune system. Continue to monitor for nasal discharge or increased oral mucous. If the condition progresses, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

Eclipse should be examined by an experienced herp veterinarian. He may need antibiotics to treat or prevent infection. Monitor for discharge, lethargy, odor or loss of appetite. Keep the area clean and dry. You can apply a dab of triple antibiotic ointment topically. Use paper towels as substrate until the spot heals. It may take a a couple sheds, but he should recover. In the future, if he ever gets any adhesive stuck on him, use a bit of olive oil to soak the area then gently remove the adhesive.

Thank you for reaching out about your ball python - she is really cute! There are a few things you can try/check for the appetite. Often times, when we are seeing issues with appetite, the first thing we try to do is check the husbandry and ensure that it is as perfect as it can be. Sometimes in between seasons the temperatures can get off in the enclosure, and I would recommend checking that first. Also, the humidity can affect the shedding intervals, in addition to the temperature. I would recommend evaluating the temperatures in the enclosure with digital thermometers to ensure that they are appropriate. Also, based on how she looks in the photos, she appears to be in fair body condition, so she may also be regulating herself as far as her weight/appetite goes. This would be a bit of an exception for a ball python, as most of them will overeat and become overweight. But, there are exceptions to the rule and maybe she is one of them! For the prey items - I like that you are using a separate container, and that you are warming the prey items in warm water. Please ensure that the water gets them to body temperature for rodents, which is around 100-102F. Often snakes will eat prey items that are cooler than that, but if a snake is being picky I try to encourage owners to get them measure the temperature to ensure it is warm enough. I hope that this gives you a place to start, and if she doesn't eat despite all of these changes, I would recommend a veterinary visit for her!

I suggest you just not feed her for a few weeks and then try again. Her lack of appetite may be due to shedding. Reptiles can not eat for months and still be fine. It is not ideal for them to go quite that long though. So, wait a few weeks, try again with frozen-thawed and see what happens. You are welcome to post again if she doesn't eat and we can see if we can help you better. Be sure he cage temperature is correct. If they are too cold they often won't eat. Basking spot temperature should be 88 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit and an ambient temperature of 78 to 80 degrees. The ambient temperature should not fall below 75 degrees.

Thanks for reaching out about Nemo and including a photo. Try warm water soaks or a humidity box for short (5-10 minutes) to see if this will loosen the retained skin. You can gently try and peel off but should come off easily. If you believe it is scar tissue, it will be fine, but if an infection site, a veterinary visit needs to be scheduled. Good luck.