9 Common Ball Python Health Issues And How To Prevent Them

Most snakes are fairly low-maintenance pets.

That is certainly true of ball pythons.

But they can suffer from a number of serious health problems.

Especially if you do not provide your pet snake the proper care.

We’re going to cover all of the most common ball python health issues below, along with their causes and treatment. Knowing what causes the problems will help you avoid them in the first place.

 

Common Ball Python Health Problems

If you suspect that your ball python is suffering from any of these common health issues, you should take it to see a vet as soon as possible. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Learn how to prepare your ball python for the vet here.

 

Infectious Stomatitis (Mouth Rot)

Mouth rot is a serious infection in ball pythons caused by bacteria. It occurs due to poor husbandry, too cold or wet conditions, excess moisture in the bedding, or wounds or cuts around the snake’s mouth.

It is also known as bacterial stomatitis and results in foaming, bubbling, or excessive drooling around the mouth. Your snake might also appear to breathe through its mouth. It may refuse food and be lethargic. There may be a thick mucous-like discharge around its mouth.

Treatment includes a round of antibiotics, oral flushing, and cleaning the skin around the mouth. You may also have to force-feed your snake. To prevent this issue, you really just need to avoid the common mistakes beginning ball python owners tend to make.

 

Viral Infections (OPMV And IBD)

Many different viruses can affect ball pythons, but two that deserve special mention are Ophidian Paramyxovirus (OPMV) and Inclusion Body Disease (IBD).

OPMV causes symptoms like difficulty breathing and discharge from the nose and mouth. Some snakes also develop tremors or hold their bodies in unusual positions.

If you notice these signs, rush your pet to the vet. Treatment usually includes antibiotics to fight secondary infections and supportive care.

Inclusion Body Disease, or IBD, can be fatal. Symptoms include vomiting, weight loss, a lack of appetite, and severe neurological problems. Often, the neurological problems progress too rapidly for pet owners to notice other symptoms.

 

Incomplete Skin Shedding (Dysecdysis)

Incomplete skin shedding is among the most common skin-related issues in ball pythons. Causes include dirty terrariums, improper humidity, and inadequate surfaces for the snake to rub its shedding skin.

If a snake is already ill with some other issue or is stressed, that could also cause it to undergo incomplete shedding.

Ball pythons with incomplete shedding might retain their eye caps or pieces of skin. If this unshed skin is not removed, the snake could develop infections underneath.

Treatment includes providing the snake with proper humidity, moistening its skin while it is shedding, and fixing underlying health or enclosure-related issues.

 

External Parasites Like Mites

Snake mites are tiny but they feed on your ball python’s blood, making it miserable. In case of heavy infestation, you might see your snake rubbing itself against branches and abrasive surfaces in its enclosure. It might also soak in its water for prolonged periods, hoping to get rid of the pests.

Mites are tiny and usually appear as small black dots moving along the snake’s body. Mites are most visible around the snake’s eyes.

Mites can transmit diseases to the snake and some of these can be fatal. You must therefore take a mite infestation seriously and treat it right away.

Start by thoroughly cleaning your pet’s enclosure. Throw away and replace all the substrate with fresh, dry substrate. Remove and replace live plants. Disinfect branches, hide boxes, and other objects. Your vet will also prescribe insecticides to treat mites on your snake’s body.

 

Blister Disease (Vesicular Dermatitis)

Blister disease is a form of infectious dermatitis. The most common causative factors are moist bedding and humid environments. Stress factors like excess handling and transport could also be the culprits. If left untreated, blister disease can quickly progress to septicemia.

As the name indicates, the most common sign of blister disease is the formation of lesions or fluid-filled blisters on the snake’s skin. Failure to treat these lesions can cause the infection to spread to other snakes. It can also result in ulcers, necrosis, or septicemia, which can kill your snake.

To treat blister disease, your vet may recommend oral antibiotics based on the results of the culture test of the blister fluid. You must also bathe your snake in a povidone-iodine solution and correct underlying husbandry issues.

As always, the best way to treat skin problems in ball pythons is to prevent them in the first place. Ensure that you maintain an optimum temperature and humidity and provide a dry substrate for your snake.

 

Respiratory Infections

Respiratory infections, like pneumonia, are typically common in ball pythons housed in dirty enclosures. The unhygienic conditions overwhelm the snake’s immune system. Incorrect temperature and humidity levels can also be the culprits behind respiratory infections.

Respiratory infections could be bacterial, fungal, or parasitical. Viruses like the Ophidian Paramyxovirus (OPMV) can also result in respiratory symptoms.

A ball python suffering from a respiratory disease could have difficulty breathing. You might also see frothy fluid or bubbles near its mouth and nose. Snakes with pneumonia could also suffer from the mouth rot described above.

Treatment includes a round of antibiotics, supportive care, and correcting husbandry issues.

 

Cloacal Prolapse

Like all snakes, ball pythons have a cloacal vent (or opening) at the bottom near their tails. Sometimes, internal organs or tissues can protrude from these openings, resulting in a cloacal prolapse. It is typically seen in female ball pythons that strain during the birthing process or in snakes with severe constipation.

Cloacal prolapse is treatable if caught early. A veterinary surgeon will gently put the prolapsed tissues or organs back in place. Sometimes, surgery may be necessary to repair worn-out or damaged organs.

You also need to clean and lubricate the cloacal opening and address the underlying health issues that may have caused the prolapse in the first place.

 

Neurological Problems (Stargazing)

Neurological problems occur when a ball python is injured, has nutritional deficiencies, or has some underlying infections. Common symptoms of neurological issues in ball pythons are tremors, an inability to move properly, and behavioral issues.

Exposure to toxic substances can also result in neurological symptoms like stargazing. In this condition, your snake might twist its head at an odd angle, making it seem like it is constantly gazing upwards.

Inclusion body disease is a common viral infection that results in stargazing in ball pythons. This infection is usually fatal, but owners can manage the symptoms to make their ball python comfortable for a few months until it succumbs to the disease.

Other neurological issues can be resolved using antibiotics to treat underlying infections and anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce swelling.

 

Eye Infections

Eye issues are common in ball pythons that fail to shed their skin completely. The eye caps (or spectacles) remain stuck to the eyes, developing infections underneath.

In some cases, the retained eye caps block the ducts carrying fluid to the roof of the mouth. This results in fluid retention, which causes the snake’s spectacles to bulge outward. Eye infections often accompany mouth rot.

You can treat most ball python eye issues using antibiotics. You also need to remove the retained eye caps. In snakes with blocked ducts, vets may cut off a portion of the eye caps to allow the fluid to drain normally.

 

Common Ball Python Health Issues: Final Thoughts

Ball pythons are generally hardy reptiles, but they can still experience various health issues. Many of these issues stem from improper husbandry, so maintaining optimal enclosure conditions is crucial for preventing health problems.

It is also important to know what to look for when buying your ball python, to ensure you get a healthy one that does not already have issues before you ever even bring it home.

When you are caring for a snake, you should always keep an eye on it. If you notice any changes in its behavior, appetite, or appearance, it’s important to consult with a reptile veterinarian promptly.

With proper care, attention, and timely medical intervention, most health problems in ball pythons can be effectively managed or resolved, ensuring a long and healthy life for your scaly companion.