Bonus First aid supply list below
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Like all animals, ball pythons can suffer some health issues. Some of the more common are respiratory infections, mites, and scale rot. Here’s a closer look at each of these issues and how to treat them:
Respiratory Infections
Symptoms of a respiratory infection in a ball python include wheezing, open-mouth breathing, and mucus in the mouth or nostrils. Respiratory infections are often caused by low temperatures or high humidity levels in the enclosure.
To treat a respiratory infection, the ball python should be moved to a quarantine enclosure with a temperature range of 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity level of 50-60%. Antibiotics may be necessary to treat the infection, and a veterinarian should be consulted for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Mites
Mites are small, blood-sucking parasites that can infest a ball python’s enclosure. Symptoms of a mite infestation include small red or black spots on the snake’s scales, excessive scratching or rubbing, and decreased appetite.
To treat a mite infestation, the ball python should be moved to a temporary enclosure, while the main enclosure is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. The snake should be treated with an anti-parasitic medication, and the enclosure should be treated with a pesticide specifically designed for reptiles. Use extreme caution when deploying any type of pesticide, even if designed for reptiles, remove any and all water sources for at least 48 hours after treatment.
Scale Rot
Scale rot is a bacterial infection that can occur when a ball python is kept in a damp or dirty enclosure. Symptoms of scale rot include discolored or swollen scales and a foul smell coming from the affected area. Often accompanied by loss of appetite.
To treat scale rot, the ball python should be moved to a clean, dry enclosure with appropriate temperatures and humidity levels. The affected area should be cleaned with an antiseptic solution, and an antibiotic ointment may be necessary to treat the infection. In severe cases, the affected scales may need to be removed.
By understanding the common health issues in ball pythons and how to treat them, you can ensure that your snake remains healthy and happy for many years to come. Regular checkups with a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles can also help prevent and treat any potential health issues.
Ball Python first aid and supply list.
First and foremost, you should always have a list of local exotic vet contacts, including after-hours emergency contact numbers. You can’t control when something will go wrong and you can’t be sure your preferred vet will be available when something does.
- Dawn Dish Soap
- Bleach
- Isolation/Soak Tub
- Providone-Iodine
- Neosporin **Origional without pain relief
- Q-Tips or Sterile Swabs
- Distilled Water
- KY Jelly the jelly, not the liquid
- Puppy training pads provide clean emergency work space
** this is due to to reptiles slow metabolism pain relieving items can cause real critical harm to their circulatory system.
