Weird spot on neck

[Spacehawk]

Hello, my garter snake here has recently developed something on his neck behind his mouth. I know these pics arent great i just took them this morning but i can try to get better ones when i get home tonight... anyways this is new to him, ive had him for about a year and this wasnt there, i cant tell if its a scab maybe he hurt himself but its more pinkish and i was worried about it being something more serious than a scab, i dont know of any reptile vets in town, if anyone has seen this before i appreciate all input or suggestions.... thanks

[snake man]

Looks like a wound of some sort im not an expert at that so i will let someone else tell you what measures you should take. Welcome to the forum by the way.

[Spacehawk]

Thank you, I've been to reptile forums but I thought it was soo awesome to learn there was an special forum for garter snakes!

[guidofatherof5]

Not sure. Need a few better photos.

[Spacehawk]

ok i'l try to take better pics, tonight and post them in the morning as i have to use my work computer, i was trying to hold him and snap pics at the same time

[guidofatherof5]

Any discharge? Is it scabbed over?

[Light of Dae]

Spider bite maybe?

[Invisible Snake]

Also please tell us what substrate you are using, it may be helpful.

[Spacehawk]

Good news, I took him to a shop and one of their snake guys said it was a ware blister and he showed me how to pop it, I guess the snake has spent too much time in water, for substrate I use aspen on one side and eco earth on the other. I am so relieved to know that my snake is ok and that it wasn't somethig serious, now im hoping all the time he spends in the water is just a species thing and not mites

[Spacehawk]

Water blister ** not ware oops

[Light of Dae]

Thats good... but I would remove the eco earth... They can inhale it as well ingest it way to easy.. Aspen is good so long as you don't feed on it.

[snake man]

Good to here, you should stick around the forum still.

[Spacehawk]

I always feed my garters on a plate and/or in a bowl depending on what they are eating, didn't know they could inhale the eco earth, I mostly
keep it in there to add to his option of cooling off, and yes snake man I will stick around, i already have other questions that il be starting new
threads for soon

[Spacehawk]

And thank you everyone for the input

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Is this snake a western blackneck? I would love to see a full body pic.

hello, my garter snake here has recently developed something on his neck behind his mouth. I know these pics arent great i just took them this morning but i can try to get better ones when i get home tonight... Anyways this is new to him, ive had him for about a year and this wasnt there, i cant tell if its a scab maybe he hurt himself but its more pinkish and i was worried about it being something more serious than a scab, i dont know of any reptile vets in town, if anyone has seen this before i appreciate all input or suggestions.... Thanks

[Spacehawk]

BLUESIRTALIS; this is the only full body pic i have of him and im not sure at all specifcally what kind of garter he is

[snake man]

Looks like maybe a T.elegant.

[jitami]

Looks a little off for elegans, head seems too dark... I'm thinking it probably is western blackneck, but not positive...


edited to add: http://www.californiaherps.com/noncal/southwest/swsnakes/pages/t.c.cyrtopsis.html

a (http://www.californiaherps.com/noncal/southwest/swsnakes/pages/t.c.cyrtopsis.html)nd: Western Black-necked Garter Snak (http://www.snakesofarizona.com/western_blacknecked_garter_snak.htm)

feeling a little more sure now, but still not positive :)

[paulh]

That water bowl looks too big to me. I'd replace it with a water bowl around 3 inches in diameter and an inch deep and a small hiding box where he can feel secure but stay dry.

Shotgun treatment for skin diseases is a cage as dry as you can keep it, cage temperature raised a couple of degrees, daily application of Betadine first aid cream (over the counter in drug stores), daily exposure of the affected area to direct sunlight for at least 5 minutes. Good luck.

[Spacehawk]

Thanks jitami, I think western black neck is exactly right, I didn't know that but after looking at the links you posted I'm sure. Im gonna start a new thread to about my
female because I think she's something different. And Paul that pic is like six months old he now lives in a bigger enclosure and has a much bigger water bowl, and I
know that people say they don't need a big one or that's how he got the blister but it was on his head which he doesnt really submerge, I'm thinkin the humidity is what did it so I'll probly take out the eco earth and go all aspen but I'm gonna leave the water because he enjoys a good swim at least once a day and I like to give him the
option, and thanks for the betadine tip I think il pick that up to have on hand in case this happens again

[jitami]

No problem... you should probably just go to paper towel until his blister is healed. It will be easier to notice if it pops or anything like that. I know it's not pretty and I really hate looking at it, but paper towel is the easiest to see if it's soiled, wet, etc. and for now keeping his environment clean & dry is the most important thing. Please keep us updated on him :)

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I love the way western blacknecks look! Thanks for the pic! Post some pics of the other garters you have.
BLUESIRTALIS; this is the only full body pic i have of him and im not sure at all specifcally what kind of garter he is