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  1. #1
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    Exclamation Ball Python With Scale rot HELP!!

    my ball python just shed recently so i didnt mess with it for a couple of days... i noticed some stuck shed so i picked it up. when i picked it up i noticed a brown streak going down its belly(rust color) and its tail has gotten a dark color... the humidity is at 50-60% all the time and i give it 2 soaks per month(10 mins each).

    the scales also feel kinda rough and they look nasty. i gave the snake a soak but that didnt help so i just put it back in its cage..

    this is the first time my snake has had a stuck shed...

    i dont know what to do and i dont really want to see a vet but i will if i have to...

    what can happen if left untreated?

    HELP
    Last edited by TheSerpentHouse; 01-03-2012 at 12:32 AM.

  2. #2
    BPnet Veteran heathers*bps's Avatar
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    For one, please stop soaking your snake. It is unnecessary, stressful for the snake and can complicate sheds since it gets rid of the skins naturally oils.
    Two, place your snake is a completely clean, sterile tank. Paper towel substrate, water bowl and a hide if you use them and keep it dry.
    Three, pics will definitely help.
    *Heather*
    I can't keep up with what I have

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  4. #3
    BPnet Lifer Skiploder's Avatar
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    Re: Ball Python With Scale rot HELP!!

    Quote Originally Posted by TheSerpentHouse View Post
    my ball python just shed recently so i didnt mess with it for a couple of days... i noticed some stuck shed so i picked it up. when i picked it up i noticed a brown streak going down its belly(rust color) and its tail has gotten a dark color... the humidity is at 50-60% all the time and i give it 2 soaks per month(10 mins each).

    the scales also feel kinda rough and they look nasty. i gave the snake a soak but that didnt help so i just put it back in its cage..

    this is the first time my snake has had a stuck shed...

    i dont know what to do and i dont really want to see a vet but i will if i have to...

    what can happen if left untreated?

    HELP

    Septicemia and death.

    You can give the animal baths in ambient temp water with diluted betadine in it. Take out all the substrate in the enclosure and replace with either paper towels or unprinted newspaper.

    The animal should really go to a qualified reptile vet if you truly suspect scale rot. While some may advise that you treat this at home and apply a polysporin type ointment, the best stuff available for treating this is silver sulfadiazine which is only available by prescription.

    As Heather recommended, please discontinue the two soaks a month. Soaking doesn't really help with anything (treatment for scale rot being the exception) and is stressful for your snake. Contrary to what you've most likely been told, it is actually detrimental to the shedding process. It's really not something you should be doing.
    Last edited by Skiploder; 01-03-2012 at 12:47 AM. Reason: Looks like Heather beat me to the punch.

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