so I have two ball pythons a young one, only a year old and an adult i was given a year ago. the big one is about 5 feet and has been great till a few months ago he was not eating, he finally ate and kept it down for about 2 weeks and then just throw it up. i cleaned his entire tank and i read somewhere you could use news paper as bedding, so i wasnt sure if he had mites or anything so i took his old stuff out like the wood home he has and also the peice of wood he laid on. i put news paper and a new water bowl and new home. i kept the temps good and made sure i didnt see any mites. when its time to shed i let my snakes alone. so letting him go for about 5 days he managed to get the news paper wet under his home. so i think what has happpened is some how under his belly is wet and has gotten an infection it is brown and smells not so great i gave him a bath as if he was having a rough shed and let him slither through my hand with a damp towel around it. some under skin came off and showed a red irratation. i am beyond upset. i have always made sure my snakes were happy and treated well with the snake i bought, he has been fine and freindly. the big one i got as a rescure has always been friendly till now he now is struggling to use the end of his tail. could i possibly help him after what i have done. idk how he got sick in the first place and caused him to not eat and now i managed to give him an infection. will he have to be put down. please help!
