Scale Rot or Burn?!

This is depressing. And embarrassing. I was out of town for three weeks, and I put a neighbor in charge of watching my ball python, Lazlo. And I came home to the worst surprise-- not only was he sitting on top of his heater that shouldn't have been on in this hot weather, he was also surrounded by his own feces that my neighbor should have picked up.

My neighbor claims he forgot, and claims that the poo hadn't been there long.. but I'm very upset. I haven't seen much on the internet that looks like what Lazlo has on his belly, but given the circumstances, I figure it may be either a burn or scale rot.

The nearest exotic vet is over an hour away, so if you guys have any advice for steps I could take at home that could prevent a trip to the vet's office, it would be much appreciated. I've been applying Neosporin twice a day, currently. And my plan as of now is to make the trek out to the vet's office if he doesn't look improved after his next shed (which should be within the next week-- his color faded and his eyes are milky and his belly is pinkish.. so maybe sooner).

Do you guys have any other advice? Or perhaps know if the marks are scale rot or a burn?

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...o/sadlazlo.jpg

Thanks for the help (:

Oh man that looks awful. I would be making a trip to the vet to get some antibiotics right now. Any vet would be capable of doing that whether or not they were reptile experts. I don't know the name of the drug they would give you, but someone will. Once you find out the name and dosage of the medication that is normally given you can ask a vet near you if they can help and tell them what you know. It sort of looks like a mixture of burn and scale rot. The reason I would go to a vet now, regardless of their reptile expertise is because some BPs can't handle infections even when on meds, it's not uncommon to lose them to an infection.

It looks like scale rot to me..but I could be wrong. Either way I'd get to a vet asap and not wait for it to shed.. Until then get some betadine(an excellent antiseptic) and apply that 2x a day also... The way I did it when my BP had a minor case of scale rot was to apply it with a Q-tip along the affected area, then wait 15-20 minutes and then soak her for about 15-20 minutes in warm water(kind of to wash her all off) and then take her out, dry her off and apply neosporin. Also if you havnt already, switch her substrate to papertowels or unprinted newspaper. Also describe for us how you have your heat set up, and pictures also help.

Looks like burn to me, the only scale rot I've seen was slightly orange. Luckily, it looks like your ball python is close to shed, it'll help but it won't cure it. I've heard for burns neosporin helps, but a certain kind shouldn't be used. I don't have much experience with burns or scale rot. DEFINITELY go to a vet! It looks bad, and good luck.

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Originally Posted by Powerspythons

It looks like scale rot to me..but I could be wrong. Either way I'd get to a vet asap and not wait for it to shed.. Until then get some betadine(an excellent antiseptic) and apply that 2x a day also... The way I did it when my BP had a minor case of scale rot was to apply it with a Q-tip along the affected area, then wait 15-20 minutes and then soak her for about 15-20 minutes in warm water(kind of to wash her all off) and then take her out, dry her off and apply neosporin. Also if you havnt already, switch her substrate to papertowels or unprinted newspaper. Also describe for us how you have your heat set up, and pictures also help.

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Bedatine sounds like a good idea. And, I've been doing my research today, so now I feel really bad... but I just have a heating pad on a medium-high setting on the bottom of the tank. Based on my research now, it seems like I should have put some sort of layer between the bottom of the tank and the heating pad to prevent it from getting too hot. I was seriously misinformed.. Even if it is scale rot, I should definitely fix the current heating situation as well. And I'll go switch the substrate right now. Thank you!

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Originally Posted by Miko

I've heard for burns neosporin helps, but a certain kind shouldn't be used.

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The kind you're NOT supposed to use is the one with pain relievers. I've never used it but apparently it hurts a lot more than it helps. Just use regular ole neosporin, with NO pain killers in it!

Ohhhh poor little guy! I'd get him to the vet asap instead of guessing and hoping you treat it right.

And :colbert: at your neighbor! You should make them pay part of the damn vet bill, sheesh!

Oh, one last thing, my neighbor had fed him about a week ago, and he still hasn't gone to the bathroom. And that's unusual. He usually goes about 5 days after feeding. And it's been 8.

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Originally Posted by esinger93

Oh, one last thing, my neighbor had fed him about a week ago, and he still hasn't gone to the bathroom. And that's unusual. He usually goes about 5 days after feeding. And it's been 8.

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IMO thats the least of your concerns. Your snake has a burn down half its body...it makes sense that his bowl movements may be different. Get him to a vet ASAP

That is a horrible burn that is probably also infected now. I highly doubt your are going to save your snake without some antibiotics. You have a huge portion of your snakes skin open to infection. An hour or not, if you want to save the snake you should setup an appointment. I don't think a home remedy is going to fix that at this point. Just my $.02...

Regards,

B