Could I be dealing with scale rot?
So I noticed last weekend a very small belly scale that was slightly light brown, a little unusual.
I have been checking on it daily and today it seems to be two scales now. It's almost like the scaled are rotting in a way, but my humidity is around 60%give or take 5%.
He's been on aspen, and is changed daily if needed when he defecates or urinates.
Here's a picture, if anyone has some advice on the matter please let me know.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/IMG_1527.jpg
^you can see it halfway down his body, and it seems to have also moved up a 1/8" up his side that you can see.
Re: Could I be dealing with scale rot?
Re: Could I be dealing with scale rot?
If you are dealing with scale rot, then it appears to be in the very early stages. I would treat it, I suppose, as one does with a ball python:
-Switch substrate to paper
-Wash with Betadine
-Apply polysporin (no pain reliever)
-Keep the environment *really* dry (except for maintaining humidity!) Any wetness from spilled water, etc needs to be cleaned immediately.
-If the affected area grows, a vet visit would be in order.
Re: Could I be dealing with scale rot?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
starmom
If you are dealing with scale rot, then it appears to be in the very early stages. I would treat it, I suppose, as one does with a ball python:
-Switch substrate to paper
-Wash with Betadine
-Apply polysporin (no pain reliever)
-Keep the environment *really* dry (except for maintaining humidity!) Any wetness from spilled water, etc needs to be cleaned immediately.
-If the affected area grows, a vet visit would be in order.
Ok so I switched to newspaper.
Where can I get Betadine? and polysporin?
Re: Could I be dealing with scale rot?
You can get both a the grocery store or drug store or some place like Fred Meyer.
Betadine is a cleaner and polysporin (neosporin without the pain reliever) is to rub on the belly and help heal it. Both of these products ought to be in the first aid isle of the store :)
Re: Could I be dealing with scale rot?
There is also a bacterial infection that when becomes toxic and enters the blood stream..first looks like a slightly pink belly (streaked) almost like the beginnings of a shed.
When the scales turn brown, death follows soon after.
Anytime the belly is pink and shed is not expected....I would get to a VET just to be safe.
It's called Subcutaneous hemmorrhages and can be a sign of generalized infection or toxemia in snakes.
Re: Could I be dealing with scale rot?
Well all that is on his belly is about midway down his belly two of the scales as seen in the picture are slightly browned and not dirt brown just brown enough to where it doesn't look right.
Re: Could I be dealing with scale rot?
Re: Could I be dealing with scale rot?
If that is scale rot, it's in the VERY beginning stages. I would lower the humidity and put the boa on paper towels and be very careful he/she doesn't spill his/her water dish for awhile. If it doesn't get better within a week, take him/her to the vet. Scale rot usually spreads slowly and will produce fluid filled bumps that will eventually turn into larger blisters. It's always a husbandry error that creates scale rot too. Double and triple check your enclosures.