Scale Rot or Burn?!?!?

[ANeidig]

Ok here's the deal. Odin is my first snake, I adopted him very healthy. His sheds have been better and better since I got him. A couple days ago we noticed that his belly was turning pink, time to shed, right? Not this time! He now has fluid-filled belly scales that are slightly discolored and a few that the fluid seems to have drained out of. He doesn't act like he's real sensitive and if it is scale rot I'd guess its the beginning stages of it. But I'm not sure if it is that or maybe a burn? He came with and UTH and coconut husk bedding. We cleaned his cage and put in Aspen bedding. So i'm wondering if it might be a burn because the new substrate conducted heat more?
I know he needs to see a vet but the only herp vets are more than 2 hrs away and I'm unemployed ( read BROKE ). Would you treat him similarily for either condition? We've gathered supplies to treat him with betadine 10% and antibiotic ointment but if its a burn will that be bad? Ugh I'm so frustrated and nervous about the situation cause I understand it could become fatal. Any information on what to to do treat either of the problems would be greatly GREATLY appreciated. Also we've got him on paper towels with a small water dish for now. Are antibiotics the only answer for scale rot? Is it possible (though not recommended) to treat him ourselves? ANY HELP WOULD BE AWESOME! THANKS

[771subliminal]

Ok here's the deal. Odin is my first snake, I adopted him very healthy. His sheds have been better and better since I got him. A couple days ago we noticed that his belly was turning pink, time to shed, right? Not this time! He now has fluid-filled belly scales that are slightly discolored and a few that the fluid seems to have drained out of. He doesn't act like he's real sensitive and if it is scale rot I'd guess its the beginning stages of it. But I'm not sure if it is that or maybe a burn? He came with and UTH and coconut husk bedding. We cleaned his cage and put in Aspen bedding. So i'm wondering if it might be a burn because the new substrate conducted heat more?
I know he needs to see a vet but the only herp vets are more than 2 hrs away and I'm unemployed ( read BROKE ). Would you treat him similarily for either condition? We've gathered supplies to treat him with betadine 10% and antibiotic ointment but if its a burn will that be bad? Ugh I'm so frustrated and nervous about the situation cause I understand it could become fatal. Any information on what to to do treat either of the problems would be greatly GREATLY appreciated. Also we've got him on paper towels with a small water dish for now. Are antibiotics the only answer for scale rot? Is it possible (though not recommended) to treat him ourselves? ANY HELP WOULD BE AWESOME! THANKS

pics would be great to help you out

[Kaorte]

Sounds like a burn. All UTHs when used without a thermostat can cause burns. He needs a thermostat to control the UTH to prevent this, otherwise you are just going to make the burn worse.

[GoingPostal]

A pic would be useful but you need at least a dimmer on your UTH so it is not burning him, if it's not that bad keeping him on paper towels and applying neosporin (not with pain relief, the regular kind) should work. You need to keep a close eye on it and if it gets worse he has to see a vet.

[j_h_smith]

So I take it you don't know what the tanks temps are over the UTH? You need to find out what the temps are in the tank. Turn off the UTH immediately if you still have the snake in this tank. Use overhead heat until you can clear up any problems in the tank as well as the snake. If you want quality help, a picture of the injury is needed as well as the tank the way it was set up when you noticed the burn.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[bones93]

If it is in fact a burn this is what I would do. Had this problem a few weeks ago due to a faulty rheostat....

I applied Neosporin 2 times a day in AM and PM, switched over to paper towels, and kept over head heat on her. I also kept the tank relatively dry for about two weeks. I dont know if that is recommended or not but after two weeks she shed and it is hardly noticeable. Almost perfect