Help Identifying These?

[ConcinusMan]

I don't really have time to read everyone's posts here so forgive me if it's already been said...

First off, that's a female eastern garter (T. sirtalis sirtalis). The scale blemishes look to me like the very early stages of scale rot. I don't mean those marks down the center of the snake. That's usually nothing to worry about. Lots of snakes have that. I mean the brownish disfigured scales. I would completely change out the substrate for fresh clean new stuff. Before putting new stuff in, disinfect the tank and everything in it.

Scale rot is caused by bacteria that flourishes in damp, dirty substrate and/or constant high humidity. It can also be caused by the snake being in contact with it's own feces, perhaps in a dirty damp hide. Wild snakes sometimes get this during brumation. Keep the tank clean and dry, and keep humidity moderate. That should keep it from getting worse but it won't correct blemishes that are already there.

In some cases, usually advanced ones, treating the snake with a strong antiseptic such as iodine or chlorhexidine may be necessary.

[DMilms]

here is an update,
iv been giving her baths and putting on bacitracin. about the possible scale rot, i changed her entire substrate less than 3 weeks ago. i boiled everything and disinfected the tank with pangea reptile disinfectant. i used repti bark and some zoo med moss to help raise the humidity. i have barely misted recently and the humidty has been about or below 30% she has eaten 2 pinkies and a few worm chunks over the past 2 or so weeks. the entire tank was cleaned and disinfected only less than 3 weeks ago. what would i have to do to combat scale rot and help with the vent. i am probably going to try to get some hibiclens today, and have been using bacitracin on her vent for the past 3 or so days. here are a few photos of her vent, her scales, and when she musked on me it seemed as though her gentalia came out, so a picture of that too.
pictures
yesterday-
IMG_20120131_193627.jpg picture by DMilms - Photobucket
IMG_20120131_193603.jpg picture by DMilms - Photobucket
IMG_20120131_193554.jpg picture by DMilms - Photobucket
IMG_20120131_193529.jpg picture by DMilms - Photobucket
IMG_20120131_193524.jpg picture by DMilms - Photobucket
today
IMG_20120202_150820.jpg picture by DMilms - Photobucket
IMG_20120202_150930.jpg picture by DMilms - Photobucket
IMG_20120202_150919.jpg picture by DMilms - Photobucket
IMG_20120202_150902.jpg picture by DMilms - Photobucket
sorry bout the long reply time, been really busy with school and work.
btw, is there any way to force a shed, because her head has a bluish tint, and i think the shed might help? also what is the best way for treating scale rot and whatever is happening with her vent.
thank you, david

[ConcinusMan]

No, you can't force a shed. And as far as her issues go, it sounds like you're doing everything right. The ointment helps to keep urates/feces from sticking around her vent and the disinfecting and keeping the tank clean and dry is about all you can do. As long as further progression of scale rot is halted, you should see an improvement next time she sheds. It's probably not necessary to continue treating the snake with meds beyond 2-3 weeks and as long as things aren't getting worse, you should stop then.

I had a snake that was very prone to "crusty vent". You just need to check it every few days. If it looks dirty, soak and wash it off in luke warm water before it gets really bad. That's about all you can do and that's all that you really need to do.

I think the vent issue is scale rot as well. Still looks a bit red and inflamed. Continue with antibiotic ointment until the redness subsides. Be sure to get medicine well up and under any affected belly scales. That's where the bacteria hide and flourish. I think you should use hibiclens (or any other skin antiseptic containing chlorhexidine) though. (dilute it with water about 50/50) I don't think bactracin is going to cure it, although it might help a little.

The good news is that it's in early stages and completely curable. Damaged scales won't regenerate but will look better after a shed. You'll know it's cured when the red irritated look between/under the scales goes away.

[EasternGirl]

I agree with Richard...get the Hibiclens...dilute it...and take a Q-tip and apply it to the scales and vent a couple of times a day...then put the bacitracin on. You can help a shed along by making a shed box. I don't know if this would be a good idea if she has scale rot though. One thing...I don't trust those reptile disinfectants. You can clean the tank with vinegar and it's much safer...or for a very thorough clean...use bleach and water solution. I put about one part bleach and four parts water in a spray bottle and I take everything out of the tank...then I spray the tank with the solution. Then I wipe it out...then I spray the tank with plain water a couple of times to make sure to get rid of all of the bleach. Then I let the tank air out for about an hour. Then I put new substrate and plants back in. Don't worry about seeing her genitalia come out when she musks...that happens sometimes when they are very stressed. My female does it too.

[DMilms]

That's one of the problems i am having. whenever i try to look at, or anything to the belly scales, i cant. it is almost as if she is about to shed, because i can actually see milky skin around her belly scales so i cant get under them to do anything with it. im not really misitng a lot anymore, nor did it increase the humidty for prolonged times when i did, im just worried that she might have a bad shed when she does. any way to tell when she will shed other than the blueish eyes? what kind of meds should i use with the possible scale rot and the vent btw, hibiclens for everything?
thank you, david.
btw, tell me if you need any more pics or angles of her.

[DMilms]

the disifectant stuff is this-
http://www.pangeareptile.com/store/disinfectant-refill.html

what should i do if i cant get to the sclaes?
thank you, david

[DMilms]

btw, there is another snake in the tank, should i take her out, or could she be the cause?

[ConcinusMan]

The cause is a bacterial infection that gets under the scales. Sort of like nail fungus but not a fungus. It can spread to other snakes in the tank but probably won't if the environment is kept clean and dry. If I remember right, it's a dekay's snake you have with her correct?

The only issue I can think of is that dekayi prefer much cooler temps than garters. (no heat necessary) Conditions in the tank can't be ideal for both of them at the same time. Garters need warmth, especially when fighting an infection.

Scales on a garter's belly overlap. Sort of like a fingernail or roof shingles. You can push medicine up underneath them. You have to go "against the grain" (head direction) to do that.

Hibiclens is good for just about any skin or mouth infection. It cures scale rot, blister disease, mouth infections, etc. I like it because it's strong as iodine but not as toxic. Also, the duration of it's effectiveness is very long. In other words, it keeps killing germs for a long time after applying. Once or twice a day application is enough.

[DMilms]

i was trying to see what was with her belly scales and there is actually basically, shed there. lol. i was trying to see if i could get to the spots on her tummy and i noticed i was right about the film on her belly. it was soo loose that it seems like she might shed within a week. i actually accidentally rubbed her scales backward and made a little tear in the outer scale layer, so i know that she will shed soon. hopefully that will help a lot. for now, i will get hibiclens, put it on her vent and the 3 spots using q tips, and repeat that again at least twice tommorow.
thanks for all the help.
btw, the dekay's seems pretty happy, eating, moving, growing, and she goes on the hot and cold sides, but doesnt bask as much, just stays mostly on the land.

[EasternGirl]

Usually after the eyes cloud over...the snake sheds within a couple of days. Once she starts to shed, if she has problems getting her shed off, put her in a plastic box with a warm wash cloth and just a little bit of warm water in the bottom...put a lid on top, and leave her in there for a little while...about 10 minutes to a half an hour is usually all that it takes...the shed should come off. Once it comes off...check her and make sure none of the shed is left on...check her face and tail carefully. If there is any shed left, you can take the cloth and rub her gently to get the rest of it off.

Steve...if you are reading this and you can post a clip of your shed box video...that would be great. I can never find it when I need it .