Redness/rash around vent

So I'm currently handling my bp for the first time in a about a week, and I happened to look around her vent and it seemed as though some of the scales in a very small area around her vent are redish/pink. As the area is so small I am un able to get a decent picture. Is anyone able to tell me what it may be without a picture? The substrate I am currently using is a reptile bark and she has been on it since I got her in February and have only just begin to see this now and only in the area around her vent. Her enclosure is misted twice a day but never enuff to keep it sopping wet. As i am not sure what else to say at this point I will leave it at that.

thanks in advance for the help I hope to recieve

Hi,

Without the picture the best we can give is a guess I'm afraid.

Does it look like the start of going into a shed cycle?

If you think it looks different to that are there any signs it could be a burn from an overheating UTH?

If you think it might be something serious then a vet visit would seem a sensible precaution.


dr del

It is most definetly not the beginning of a shed cycle as it is so isolated in the area around the vent and not all along the belly. I've checked my UTH and it is not over heating and seems to be funtioning as normal. Upon doing a quick google search I found the most likely thing for it to be is the early stages of scale rot which disappoints me to say the least that my husbandry has been that sub standard. I've moved her onto paper towels for now after thuroughly cleaning and disinfecting her cage. If I am able to get a more definitive diagonsis from a vet, is this minor case of scale rot treatable at home? I see many different things across the internet of using an antibacterial ointment such as polysporin for such issues, would this be okay? The affected area is only about 3/4cm - 1cm squared(less than half an inch)

If you're new to snakes it is entirely possible that yours is indeed in the early stages of the shedding process.

A pinkish tinge to the ventral side is not at all uncommon at the beginning of this process.

Pics would be helpful.

I am new to snakes but I am also very familiar with the way the a pre shed belly would look, I dont mean to sound ignorant at all so I wont rule it out pending it could just be that. I will do my best to get some decent pictures of what I am refering to later this evening/night, I'm at work right now or I'd do it sooner.

As poor a quality as they are I hope they are atleast able convey the contrast between the rest of the scales and the scales around the vent

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../9/0/5/039.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../9/0/5/037.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../9/0/5/035.jpg

my camera seems to be dieing in its later years :tears:

Swab it with Betadine, keep it on paper, make sure nothing starts to seep or open up, and by the next shed it should be gone.

If it spreads or gets infected, to the Vet you should be going.

Thank you, as it is getting late I dont think I will be able to get any betadine until tomorrow, would it be best to just leave it in the mean-time or would using something like polysporin be beneficial? And is betadine sold at most drug marts/pharmacies?

You'll be fine until tomorrow.

Any pharmacy and most markets carry it.

So I got the betadine today and have applied it once thus far, should I be doing so twice a day or just once?