Does my new BP have a burn or Scale Rot??

Hi there.
I recently got a new ball python. He is a rescue, his previous owner took no care of him... He is over 2 years old but less than 500 grams. My uncle originally took him but then passed him onto me. He told me the marks on his belly was burns from the previous owners heating pad being too hot, and that they would shed off eventually. He fed the snake every 5 days or so and the snake kept eating every time. I got the snake last week, and he ate once.
Anyways so these marks on his belly seem like they may be getting better but its hard to say. I didnt know about scale rot and I was misting the tank and kept him in humid environment... now that I suspect its rot, Ive put a towel ontop of the substrate to keep him dry and i havent misted.
Here are some pics. Is this rot, or a burn? What are the first aid measures I should be taking?
He hisses quite a bit... His muscles are having trouble as when he tries to move around he is shaky. Please any help I can get would be much appreciated, I want to help this little guy, Thanks so much. I will take better pics if needed...
I also wanted to say that this doesnt run along his entire belly, its mainly at the end tail area. thanks again in advance
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...6-26144915.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...6-26144850.jpg
Ashlea

looks like a burn to me.

How does it smell? Scale rot (especially that severe, if that is scale rot) comes with a distinctively foul odor.

Ok, I dont think it really smells. But what im worried about is that for a burn your supposed to keep their tank very moist but for scale rot it should be dry? So I just dont want to do the wrong thing and make it worse....

What bedding should he be on?? And how high should the humidity be?? Should I be giving him baths?? Should I put any ointment on the affected area?

Thanks for any answers,
Ashlea

Use paper towels for bedding, and take it to a vet.

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Originally Posted by Sasparilla

Ok, I dont think it really smells. But what im worried about is that for a burn your supposed to keep their tank very moist but for scale rot it should be dry? So I just dont want to do the wrong thing and make it worse....

What bedding should he be on?? And how high should the humidity be?? Should I be giving him baths?? Should I put any ointment on the affected area?

Thanks for any answers,
Ashlea

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I would put silverdine on the burn.put it on once a day for a week and see if it starts to clear up.i had that happen to my bp and treated as i stated and it cleared up.a couple of sheds later you couldnt tell if he was ever hurt.one thing i would say to check offten is the temp of your heat tape/pad.never use a heat rock.there a waste of money and can cook/kill your snake.oh and you can get silverdine from your childrens docter.if you have young children you can get it.thats how i get mine.realy not sure how else to get it maybe some can add to how to get a hold of it.hope this helps.good luck.

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Originally Posted by TheWinWizard

Use paper towels for bedding, and take it to a vet.

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x2

Find a good herp vet. They will be able to tell you the best course of action. It looks pretty severe but starting to heal. In the mean time you can soak it in a tepid bath of bentadine/water solution (mix in enough bentadine so the water looks like tea) for 10 min or so and dry it off well. I would just keep the temps and humidity at the standard levels until you know for sure what you're dealing with.

Good luck with him/her. With the proper care it will be better in no time.

Thanks for everyone's help! Louis is doing just fine now and after a few sheds he looks normal. I am watching the heat and have never used any heat rocks... When I got him he already had the burn. Thanks again for the help :banana: