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About Tracie Kretzschmar
Expertise
I can answer questions pertaining to health, UVB specifics, overall husbandry care & supplementation, analysis of blood test results, and behavioral problems & handling. I can answer questions pertaining to bearded dragons, leopard geckos, iguanas, uromastyx & ball pythons. I can answer adeno virus related questions in bearded dragons, & then specifically about the testing methods as well. I am beginning an Pogona Adeno Testing Society in 2008 which will help to begin to start some standardization within the bearded dragon colonies of the breeders who choose to test.

Experience
I have been working with bearded dragons for over 5 years now, as well as leopard geckos, too. I am currently doing rescues, as well. I hope to be able to educate people prior to them purchasing an exotic pet in order to avoid any health crisis with them.

Education/Credentials
I have a master's degree in sports medicine & physiology, & 1 year of vet tech schooling, & am currently working on a reptile certification through the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Veterinary Medicine > Reptiles > Ball Python won't shed (Cont.)

Reptiles - Ball Python won't shed (Cont.)

Expert: Tracie Kretzschmar - 11/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: You know, I had the calcium deficiency thought run across my mind once or twice, but I didn't really take it further than an absent-minded thought. However, it could be possible considering the supposed exotics expert at the store where I got her was a complete idiot, so it wouldn't surprise me if he didn't know anything about nutrition. Do you think I should start 'gut loading' her mice?

ANSWER: Hello Andrew,

Are you feeding fresh live rats/mice or frozen/thawed mice/rats? If you are not feeding the rats or mice they do need to be fed prior to being fed to your python, that should help with the nutrition content.
Let's see how that does for her along with the temperature increases.

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yeah, i feed her live, and i'll do that. also last night, i noticed her stools are looking like diarrhea again. also, around it on the paper towel, there seemed to be fresh blood. It wasn't tarry looking or old blood, which makes me think it isn't internal bleeding, but it still is concerning me.

I bet you don't get people that stick around like i do. It seems my python is a slithering conundrum.

ANSWER: Hello Andrew,

No problem! I am here to help so you can have a healthy python!
How large are the mice? Perhaps she is low in calcium & somewhat constipated or impacted. I know that in lizards, when they are low in calcium, it can cause GI disturbances as well as constipation because the GI tract operates mainly off of calcium ions. So, if she is low in calcium that could be part of the culprit.
Also, not being warm enough could have something to do with it, also. She needs a basking area of around 88-90 to help with digestion.
If she is having trouble with digestion or passing stool, then she might be straining to go to the bathroom which could cause irritation & or blood by straining.

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well, she's eating hoppers right now. they're probably about 1 1/4 inch long. I'm almost positive that she isn't compacted, considering she's been having diarrhea.

I bought a black light today in an attempt to raise the temperature, and it seems to only be offering the same amount of heat as that ceramic element, but its a 75 watt, and the ceramic element was 65. the temperature is still hovering around 80-82.

I tried to feed her today, and she only took one hopper. I dont know if its because i fed her a small hopper on monday, or if she's actually getting ready to shed, because usually even after two hoppers, she's looking around for dessert.

I noticed when i was giving her a bath today, a lot of scales were floating away, but it is still a mystery as to why she doesn't have any new scutes underneath (which seem to be the ones shedding the most). All there is underneath is skin.

Answer
Hello Andrew,

So, the warmest end is only 80-82, is that at the top or on the bottom?
Really try to get some type of undertank heating element to use as a temporary fix because she is just not getting warm enough I feel.
She did eat some hoppers? Really well, that is good news.
That is just so odd, with all of the scales floating away like that. She must not be shedding completely.
How large are the hoppers? Maybe she is not getting enough to eat possibly.
How old is she again?
Do you have any pictures of her?

Tracie

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