Question on scale rot treatment

I just looked at one of my ball pythons and noticed she has a mild case of scale rot. I read about treatment and it said to use neosporin but not the pain relieving kind. As i looked through my house all I could find was the pain relieving kind. So my question is has anyone ever used this kind on their ball python and why is it not ok to use?

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Originally Posted by strife982

I just looked at one of my ball pythons and noticed she has a mild case of scale rot. I read about treatment and it said to use neosporin but not the pain relieving kind. As i looked through my house all I could find was the pain relieving kind. So my question is has anyone ever used this kind on their ball python and why is it not ok to use?

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it needs to see a vet as it should get an antibiotic shot. its a bacterial infection. it can turn into an open wound thats a mess, hard to treat and deadly if not taken care of correctly. after the vet gives it a shot. treatment with topical cream is the next step. your correct.

the pain relieving kind is toxic to the python DO NOT use it under any circumstances or desperation.

I have experienced this recently also....the kind with pain relief seems to be too strong and I found from MY personal experience it dosent work as well...it seems like it creates a more RAW look to the wound...This is what I did..... I started by soaking my snake once a day in a Betadine Iodine solution for about 10 mins a day (make the color of the solution look like a medium cup of tea) This is just to cleanse the infected area. Then apply some topical ointment such as non medicated polysporin or somthing similar....cleaned my girl up in a week or so....when she shed, she was back to normal. THIS IS NOT THE "GOSPEL"...ITS WHAT WORKED FOR ME!!

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Originally Posted by Goodwin

I have experienced this recently also....the kind with pain relief seems to be too strong and I found from MY personal experience it dosent work as well...it seems like it creates a more RAW look to the wound...This is what I did..... I started by soaking my snake once a day in a Betadine Iodine solution for about 10 mins a day (make the color of the solution look like a medium cup of tea) This is just to cleanse the infected area. Then apply some topical ointment such as non medicated polysporin or somthing similar....cleaned my girl up in a week or so....when she shed, she was back to normal. THIS IS NOT THE "GOSPEL"...ITS WHAT WORKED FOR ME!!

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it makes the wound more irritated because its toxic to the snake. research and consultation of a professional vet or handler is MANDATORY before you start treating anything on your snake.

Thanks for the advice I'm going to the store now to buy the non-pain relieving atibiotic and some Betadine Iodine. Hopefully that works. It is only just started and not blistering yet and the rot is only visible on a few scales.

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Originally Posted by strife982

Thanks for the advice I'm going to the store now to buy the non-pain relieving atibiotic and some Betadine Iodine. Hopefully that works. It is only just started and not blistering yet and the rot is only visible on a few scales.

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if it gets worse at all a vet visit is in order and a must.

Depending on the extent of the problem veterinary care might be required as infection could set in and anti-biotic treatment might be required.

As far as what you can do while waiting for a vet appointment or if it is a minor case here it goes

Clean up your enclosure remove your substrate and replace it by clean paper towel.
Clean the area with betadine and apply a triple anti-biotic ointment as needed.
Make sure the enclosure stays clean and not damp.

If you do not see any amelioration take your animal to a vet.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Depending on the extent of the problem veterinary care might be required as infection could set in and anti-biotic treatment might be required.

As far as what you can do while waiting for a vet appointment or if it is a minor case here it goes

Clean up your enclosure remove your substrate and replace it by clean paper towel.
Clean the area with betadine and apply a triple anti-biotic ointment as needed.
Make sure the enclosure stays clean and not damp.

If you do not see any amelioration take your animal to a vet.

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should the water bowl be removed for an acute case?

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

should the water bowl be removed for an acute case?

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If the snake can and will soak in it I would replace it by a smaller bowl in which the snake cannot soak in.

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Originally Posted by strife982

I just looked at one of my ball pythons and noticed she has a mild case of scale rot. I read about treatment and it said to use neosporin but not the pain relieving kind. As i looked through my house all I could find was the pain relieving kind. So my question is has anyone ever used this kind on their ball python and why is it not ok to use?

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I had issues using the regular neosporin on one of my snakes.

After taking the animal to the vet, I was told that the petroleum base in neosporin can cause adverse issues with the scales and shedding.

I use water-based silvadene which works better and doesn't cause the scale damage the petroleum based ointments can potentially inflict.