Crusty vent?

[Shadera]

I've been cycling the males through their girlfriends, and removing my male OG from his honeymoon suite last night I noticed his vent is beginning to look crusty. Just a tiny but of stuff just under the edge of that vent scale.

Should I give him some extra time off? Is there something I could/should do to treat it?

[stevenkeogh]

Is it sperm?
-Steven

[SGExotics]

sounds like a sperm plug to me... Is it sorta brownish yellowish at the tip? try popping him, and if it starts coming out of his hemipenes its defnately a sperm plug..

[Shadera]

Here's a picture. It's definitely NOT a sperm plug.

[Shadera]

Is it sperm?
-Steven

I don't think so. It kind of looks like he's had a rough few nights, maybe some carpet burn? He's in good health otherwise and has even been taking small meals for me throughout the season.

This is my first season breeding, and I've heard of crusty male vents from over-breeding in my studies, and I want to make sure I do what's right for the snake.

[janeothejungle]

No. It's not a sperm plug. It is likely from too many rotations in too short a time. At my house, that boy would be done for the season. Give the boy time off for it to heal or it will get worse. How often is he breeding?? What rotation is he on?

~Kat

[Shadera]

3 days on, 5 days off. And only with the one female.

I appreciate the advice. He'll be taking an early retirement this season. Is there something I can do for him, other than keeping the cage clean and watching for infection? Neosporin and some weak chlorhexadine soaks, or would that just make it worse?

[janeothejungle]

Hmm. Doesn't sound like you've been pushing him unless he's been on this schedule for months. I'd just keep him clean and off damp substrates, a little betadine or neosporin touch-up wouldn't hurt. He should heal up just fine since you caught it before it got reallly bad.


~Kat

[Shadera]

I started my pairings just after Christmas. To be honest I was a bit surprised to see that last night and immediately felt horrible that I hadn't noticed it sooner. I hadn't noticed any locks with him and his girl, but I also just left them completely alone for the times they were paired. Maybe he's just an aggressive breeder?

Hopefully he'll heal quickly and with no problems, and I'll make a note of it in his records so he can be watched for it in seasons to come. Some guys just can't handle the pressure I guess.

[Shadera]

Just bringing this back up as a reminder to keep a close eye on your snakes and look them over regularly for problems.

As I took him out of his tub tonight to do the daily cleaning and treatment of the area, I found pus underneath the small scab when I wiped it away as it was loose. Digging deeper, I found even more pus. Right now I'm doing what I can until I can get Boo in to the vet tomorrow. I feel horrible that I didn't notice all this going on sooner.

Please say a prayer for the little guy. And a huge thank you and a hug to Heather for the advice on what to do until I can get him in.