Ball Python Scale Rot?

[Nirvanski]

My snake is about 4 yrs old and never had any health issues before. I noticed brown lines along his scales under his belly , the last 8-10 inches only, top half perfect . I bathed him as usual and thought it was dirt but it didn’t soak off. Did some research. Gave him 30 min diluted betadine bath, applied some neosporin. His enclosure was emptied, cleaned and disinfected and rinsed with hot water. Only has paper towels in there now until a shed. I want advice from some one here if there’s anything else I can do to be sure this doesn’t go further or if any of the research and things I’ve done will help. Thank you

[Bogertophis]

I would suggest that you only use Neosporin very sparingly & only for emergency* use, until you get your hands on some Vetericyn ointment intended for use on snakes/reptiles. While a little Neosporin is technically "safe" to use, keep in mind that it's petroleum-base can really mess up your snake's sheds for many sheds to come if you use too much. Vetericyn, on the other hand, is a water based antiseptic FOR reptiles- & you can find it sold in some pet stores or on line. Note: Vetericyn is the "brand" name- they make products for many kinds of other animals so read carefully what you're buying or ordering, that it's for snake-use. (*while scale rot is a concern, it's not an emergency- I'd wipe off the Neosporin as much as you can, & get the right stuff to use; the Betadine -diluted- is fine to use as you did.)