Crusty Vent

[ConcinusMan]

Good to hear. I wonder if I might borrow your thread for a moment. I have a very tiny iowa albino I got recently that wasn't eating well and got quite visibly underweight. The good news is, he's eating for me just fine. Feeding him a couple of very small bites twice a day to try and get him back in shape.

The thing that bothers me is that I'm having to clean poop off of his vent every morning. A little bit gets stuck there and kinda lifts his vent scale a little bit. I wonder what could be causing this? He's drinking water, his food is served nice and wet, and he even likes to swim in his dish (gatorade cap) so it's a little hard for me to understand why he has a crusty vent. I guess nobody taught this boy how to wipe?

[guidofatherof5]

Sounds to me like his digestive system isn't back to normal yet.
Maybe some triple antibiotic ointment would help lube the vent.
Is is a light colored crust? Probably urates. I have a few young ones do the same thing.
Probably a developmental thing.
Keeping it clean and lubed is a good tactic.
A Vet. visit or at least phone call might be in order if it doesn't clear up.
I had a young one with the same problem and it lasted 6 months. She's fine now and doing great.

[ConcinusMan]

No, it's not urates. It's dark. He's pooping fine though. His little vent does sometimes look a little red around the edges. I'll try the ointment and see how it goes. Maybe he'll grow out of it.

Thanks

[Atlas511]

any new pics? after healing?

[guidofatherof5]

The fight is still on. Still building scar tissue. She's in a paper towel substrate enclosure. Trying to keep things very clean. She's eating, pooping and acting normal. Her vent looks terrible. Swollen and red. My Vet. said we need to keep treating it and waiting.
CB is a great snake and I don't mind the extra work on her behalf.

Thanks for checking up on her.

[Atlas511]

i would love to see pics graphic or not. I am slowly learning each day with you guys.

[guidofatherof5]

I'll try to post one in the next couple of days.

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry for not posting a photo. I took her in to the Vet. this morning and left her. The Vet. will be doing laser surgery on her vent later in the day.

I just received a call from the Vet's office. CB made it through the procedure and I will be picking her up within the hour.
I'll try to get a photo later tonight.

[Mommy2many]

Hope she did well.

[ConcinusMan]

Nobody even cares about my crusty little guy

No, I'm only kidding. I did use antibiotic ointment for about a week, like Steve suggested. Seemed to help. Now, no more ointment, no more crusties.