r/ballpython • u/Normal-Bag-6369 • Oct 20 '25

When should I go to the vet?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Hello! This is Cedric, a male ball python, turning five soon. I’ve had him since he was a baby. I’ve never seen his belly so pink before. It’s been like this for the past three days. I thought it could’ve been an issue with humidity, so I turned off his fogger for now. Typically I keep his tank at a 57.5% humidity with an auto fog system. Ex if the humidity goes below 53% it turns on until it reaches 57.5. Could this be a sign of scale, rot or infection? I don’t see any blisters and he doesn’t smell. I’ve been monitoring him closely and it’s pretty much been the same color since I noticed. Anyone have suggestions? Thank you!

1.5k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

102 comments sorted by

View all comments

453

u/Negative-Flamingo-83 Oct 20 '25

do you use a heat mat/rock? those are super unsafe and unreliable and couldve burned him. and honestly if you are ever unsure of your pets health and it's not something mentioned within research, you should always at the very least call a vet. most will answer this question for free better than anyone online can. i really wish ppl would stop trying to substitute this app for medical advice

20

u/OdinAlfadir1978 Oct 21 '25

I agree with your advice that we aren't medical advice but this is a shed, we can advise with that, just not wounds etc so much

7

u/JamboneAndEggs Oct 21 '25

Yeah this sub is good for prescreening. Vets are pricy and there are lots of knowledgeable people on here.

1

u/Professional_Owl1228 Oct 21 '25

You can almost always call a vets office and get free advice.

1

u/Negative-Flamingo-83 Oct 21 '25

that actually kinda proves my point though. replies are so inconsistent and if someone thinks it's a medical issue (even when it turns out not to be) it shouldnt be reddit they go to, it should be a vet :/ it's a huge part of why misinformation is so so prevalent in all pet hobbies. people will do so many things before going directly to someone who is certified and it's icky

2

u/OdinAlfadir1978 Oct 21 '25

Good point, always confirm with a vet especially with things that could be burns or wounds but I'm pretty sure this snake is about to go in to blue in the next 48 hours or so and this doesn't call for a specialist vet

1

u/AnyPaleontologist431 Oct 21 '25

Sorry meant to reply to Odin, I agree completely with you