Color Change..

blackegg · #1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2006, 08:47 PM

Hi, another question,
I have noticed that in the last couple of days that Jenna's belly (red tail) has turned an ornagish pink color and the skin on the underside of her tail seems to be kinda milky / translucent. I havn't read anything on belly color turning this color and now I'm worried! What is this?
Thanks

mpgt · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2006, 08:59 PM

She's probably getting ready to shed soon.

Ranger · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2006, 08:59 PM

The first signs of the impending shed. The milkyness will progress now, then slowly vansih, then the shed.

jjmetro · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2006, 09:00 PM

the milkyness sounds like a shed is coming on. just wait a few days and her eyes will more than likely go "blue" (milky) and within a few days of that, she will shed. thier colors change as they get older, darkening and brightening. more vividness so to speak. doesn't really sound like anything to worry about.

Brandon28 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2006, 09:04 PM

Is the orangy pink area around the vent? If so, does it look a little boated? That could just be sign of a nice poop coming soon!

blackegg · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2006, 09:05 PM

So the orange/pink color could be normal? I just worry about her alot, and jump to questions as soon as I am concerned. Thanks for such quick replies!! You guys are all great here.

Ps. The color seems to be body length.
She had a GOOD poop last week already. You wouldhave though that she was a saint bernard if you didn't know whtat did it!

Brandon28 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-01-2006, 09:26 PM

If it's pink on the full underside of the body, there may be a small problem. It may be that the temp is to high on the UTH. Post a pic if you can.

Romeo_1984 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-01-2006, 09:33 PM

i agree should like a shed is coming

CharlieJ · #9 (**permalink**) 10-01-2006, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackegg

She had a GOOD poop last week already. You wouldhave though that she was a saint bernard if you didn't know whtat did it!

TOO funny!

Heidi · #10 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 11:32 AM

I would agree with the shed. Some animals it is easier to see then others. Casey is always pink/peachy on the underside but she gets really milky right before she goes blue. You can usually notice a dullness in the upper body area also and shed is well on its way.

Sleepy_FF · #11 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 12:43 PM

hades has a tendency to go almost RED on his belly the day before he goes blue... but hes also got alot of natural red and peach pigments on his belly and sides

blackegg · #12 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 02:07 AM

Will their nose plug when they are in shed cycle? I have been giving her shots for a RI and her nose was very clear. Now it's plugged again!

Heidi · #13 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 10:47 AM

Yes, the loose skin surrounding the nostrils can sometimes cover up the nostrils causing like a hissing or whistling sound. How is the RI clearing? I've luckely never had to deal with an RI for the snakes but I know husbandry can be tricky, especially while in shed because they need higher heat/lower humidity as compared to the higher humidity while in shed.

RioBravoReptiles · #14 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackegg

....... I have been giving her shots for a RI ....

.
Some people have observed that the ventrals (belly) on boas with agressive systemic bacterial infections can get pink or orange spots or even turn mostly pink or orange. I mention this not to say that is for sure the cause but only becuase you wrote you are currently treating the animal for infection.
.
And it can also be a sign of fungus, like belly-rot or maybe even just abrasion from a substrate that is too rough. But just as has been noted earlier it also happens in normal healthy boas as they age.
.
Good luck. And be very cautious about exposing other boas to yours in future, RIs in Boas that require medical intervention are serious and in very many cases result in the early death of the animal, whether as a result of the infection, the treatments or both.
.

VoodooChile · #15 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackegg

Will their nose plug when they are in shed cycle? I have been giving her shots for a RI and her nose was very clear. Now it's plugged again!

If the snake milky colored and/or the eyes been blue recently with no shed?
If so, the plugging could be from shed starting, however the RI could be playing a factor as well.

Is she making a whistling or wheezing sound? If you suspect it is the shed cycle, you can wait untill she sheds to see if she is still wheezing.

Is there any mucous discharge from the mouth or nose?

What medicine and frequency/dosage are you giving her?

Have you raised her heat, and lowered the humidity for the duration of treatment?

If the snake has been diagnosed with RI, you need to raise the heat 90-92 in the cage, and lower the humidity to around 40-50%. Usually a smaller water bowl, newspaper as substrate, or paper towels will do the trick.

If you've already done that and the snake is still sick you need to go back to the vet if shes not getting better after several days of treatment.

Make sure if the snake was NOT separated from any others completely, it is now. Watch any others that have been in contact with the sick snake for signs of RI. Make sure you don't use any of the same tools, decorations, etc in the sick cage as you do in any other enclosures you may have.
Wash your hands before and after dealing with each animal.

You might be doing all of this already, so its just a few suggestions based on your reply.

VoodooChile · #16 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 12:17 PM

EDIT: I retract my statement about humidity drops

I have it on VERY GOOD authority, that actually lowering the humidity is NOT necessary, and boas have been successfully treated for RI with just the slight raising of temperatures.
In fact, lowering humidity can cause respiratory difficulty.

Since this new info was passed on by an expert boa keeper and someone with MANY more years of experience than that of my vet, or most of the others who have shared this info, I'll be treating my RIs with the temp adjustment, and NOT with the humidity change.

I also would like to say I agree with Gus, if you (and this applies to anyone who's snake is ill) can't trace back an RI to simple husbandry like wrong temps, etc.. PLEASE DO NOT ADD TO YOUR COLLECTION, and
QUARANTINE YOUR SNAKE.

Good luck

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