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Possible scale rot?

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  • 02-08-2017, 04:28 AM
    Sauzo
    Possible scale rot?
    Alright so I was inspecting Caesar tonight and I noticed he had these 2 spots/scrapes on his chin. I thought it was dried blood from food at first so I wiped it down with a warm wet paper towel and they didn't come off. So I tried to inspect it and Caesar was busying protesting it haha. I'm not sure if its scrapes from him shoving his head down between the litter dam and the sliding doors on his T10 as he has been doing that the past couple days. He seems to do it a fair amount if not fed within 5 days. Anyways, I've never had to deal with scale rot so I'm not sure if it looks like that or just scrapes? I've F10SC his whole cage and put him down on paper towels for now and am going to get some Betadine solution from Walgreens tomorrow and apply it to the spots with a Q-Tip.

    Those who have dealt with scale rot, how often should I apply Betadine to the 2 spots daily? I've inspected his whole body and there is nothing else, just those 2 'lines' on his chin. They don't look like blotches. The look like 2 longish scrape marks. I'll post some pictures but they aren't the best as Caesar didn't really want to sit still for them and I felt bad for the guy as you could tell he wasn't having fun. He just kept trying to curl up on me like he was being punished haha and I kept trying expose his head. Poor little man.

    Oh also I'm using the ReptiChips and the stuff was wet as I overdid this batch for water but I was drying and turning it daily. Also I change out the stuff every month so I wouldn't think he was in unsanitary conditions as I try to keep my snakes pristine. Oh also the spots don't look like dead scales or blisters or anything like that. As best as I can see, they just look like a discoloring. They didn't bother him when I tried wiping them off with the wet paper towel except the fact I was holding Caesar's head while rubbing the spots lol.
    https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...aac5efcc_h.jpg
    https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...005c377a_h.jpg
  • 02-08-2017, 04:35 AM
    Reinz
    I have no experience with scale rot. However with your top sanitary management skills I find it hard to accept that one of YOUR snakes has contracted scale rot.
  • 02-08-2017, 05:10 AM
    Sauzo
    Re: Possible scale rot?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Reinz View Post
    I have no experience with scale rot. However with your top sanitary management skills I find it hard to accept that one of YOUR snakes has contracted scale rot.

    Lol thanks. Yeah I was surprised too. I mean I honestly cant see how its scale rot as its only those 2 'lines' on his chin and like you said, I keep my animals in hospital sanitation or close to it haha. Caesar has been pushing a lot the past couple days since it seems if he doesn't get food every 5 days, he gets angry and pushes all over the door, bottom, sides, brace side, even tries to the top sometimes haha. I just want to make sure from people who have had to deal with it and what I should be on the lookout for.

    I've done the paper towel thing and will do betadine on Q-TIP 2-3 times a day but how long does it take to clear up? And if not cleared up in X days, then he will be going to the vet. I just want to know what the X number of days I should watch for it to clear up be it a cut or scale rot.
  • 02-08-2017, 05:15 AM
    Reinz
    Well it sure sounds like you are on top of it. Hopefully someone with experience will chime in.
  • 02-08-2017, 10:35 AM
    Eavlynn
    Re: Possible scale rot?
    My BP gets the same marks on his chin and over time on the top of his head, from getting his head in between the dam and glass doors on his T8.

    Definitely not scale rot, you're too attentive to your snakes. It takes a good deal of time in a moist and unsanitary enclosure for scale rot to start, and it's usually first seen along the edges of the ventral scales. Caesar is just being a retic and putting his head where it doesn't belong haha.

    Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
  • 02-08-2017, 10:43 AM
    tttaylorrr
    my BP rubbed his head/chin really good for the first week or so he moved into a T8. he has marks just like that but bigger. he smushes his stupid face in the open track, sits there and ponders his life. one night he scared the crap out of me as i heard a ERRRRRR from the friction of his head pushing on the glass. he's settled down but i hear him doing it every now and then and it annoys me.

    i wouldn't worry too much, just keep an eye on it.
  • 02-08-2017, 10:47 AM
    jmcrook
    Possible scale rot?
    Looks exactly like the scrapes/spots Phyllis got when she would jam her head between the door and the lip of the cage. I bet if you fill that gap with something and put a dab of polysporin on the scrapes they'll be gone with the next shed or two at most. Might revisit my thread about Phyllis pushing at her cage. Good luck buddy!


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  • 02-08-2017, 12:22 PM
    Sonny1318
    I'm pretty sure my black pastel pin had the same thing going on. He would just cruise around a lot his first year. I noticed he was literally wearing spots on his chin very similar to what's happening to you. Try a little neosporin once a day. On the area. And good luck, it's gonna be fun. After a shed, with the neosporin, he should be fine. I've been in this hobby 30 years now, I've personally never had nor seen scale rot in person. Hope this helps. Maybe someone else knows better! Good luck regardless.😀
  • 02-08-2017, 04:00 PM
    Sauzo
    Thanks guys. Yeah I was told by some of the other guys too that its just food scrapes from pushing.
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