Old Burn? Scale rot? Help!

[Sambo76]

Hello...I’m a new ball python owner and acting like a first time mum making sure she is well cared for! She is eating fine, hiding during the day and quite active in the evening, is ok being handled and generally no complaints at all. Her vivarium temperature and humidity are spot on.

She is 3 years old and ive only had her for 4 weeks and she has just completed a shed the day I got her. I noticed a brown latch on her side but didn’t think much of it, I originally put it down to markings. I didn’t handle her for the first week so she could settle in but when I did I noticed that the texture of the mark is different to the rest of her, it feels a little like a scab. I then thought it was leftover skin from her earlier she’d... now I’m not so sure and wondering if it’s scale rot or even if she has burned herself previously and this is scar tissue. There is so much information online and a lot of it conflicting so I decided just to post on here and find out from you guys. Thank you in advance for your help and guidance x

[BluuWolf]

We would need to see a picture before saying anything for sure. If you're unsure how to post a photo, most of us on here do it by downloading the free app tapatalk, and logging into the forum and uploading them from there

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[Sambo76]

Thank you!!!


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[OliveSprout]

Thank you!!!


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Oh no! I don’t think thats a burn...

[Sambo76]

Oh no! I don’t think thats a burn...

It feels like a scab and actually looks like a scab and doesn’t seem to be affecting her in any way.

What do you think it looks like?


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[SDA]

Go pick up betadine solution (not a creme but a liquid) and antibiotic ointment without pain relief (very important to get some without pain relief). I forget what you have in the UK but I think Brulidine?

Take some cotton swabs and apply betadine to the wounded area and let sit for 30 minutes or so. Apply with a fresh cotton swab the antibiotic ointment without pain relief to the scar. Repeat every few days. If the scar does not show signs of improvement after a few weeks, make an appointment with a vet knowledgeable in reptiles.

Why so many of you in the UK insist on heat lamps inside cages is beyond me but if it is a burn scar then most likely it is from one of those.

[Sambo76]

Go pick up betadine solution (not a creme but a liquid) and antibiotic ointment without pain relief (very important to get some without pain relief). I forget what you have in the UK but I think Brulidine?

Take some cotton swabs and apply betadine to the wounded area and let sit for 30 minutes or so. Apply with a fresh cotton swab the antibiotic ointment without pain relief to the scar. Repeat every few days. If they scar does not show signs of improvement after a few weeks, make an appointment with a vet knowledgeable in reptiles.

Why so many of you in the UK insist on heat lamps inside cages is beyond me but if it is a burn scar then most likely it is from one of those.

Thank you... as I said, she had this scab when I got her. I now just want to do the best for her and make sure she has the best care.


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[OliveSprout]

It feels like a scab and actually looks like a scab and doesn’t seem to be affecting her in any way.

What do you think it looks like?


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I’m actually not sure, I’ve never really saw this before

[Sambo76]

I took her to the vets, it’s an old burn - he reckons around 3 months old looking at the scab and healed area. Because it is healing ‘nicely’ I should just keep the area clean and keep an eye out for infection.

I’ve recently found out that I actually got her from a disreputable breeder and reptile house owner so I decided to make sure there was nothing else wrong with her.


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[bcr229]

One of my retics had surgery almost two years ago. The scar still doesn't shed cleanly. We gently rub the area with a warm damp washcloth or towel after she pops the rest of her shed to remove anything that is stuck.