Scale Rot?

Heyguys, new to the forum and new to the BP world. Adopted a female around February. She had her first shed with us and it didn't go so well. We keep in touch with the guys who gave us her, mentioned how the shed was, and they told us to wait it out. Basically, she was flaking. It had been about 3 weeks now, so I decided to see what was up by checking the interwebz. Stumbled here and found a sticky about soaking for a bad shed. Seemed to match what I'm going through. So, went about it...it worked to an extent. She still has a lot of skin left mainly around the belly. About half way down though I noticed this:

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...R/102_0143.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...R/102_0144.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...R/102_0146.jpg

So of course...I searched for possible things...and scale rot stuck out the most. Just wanted some input. I never noticed a discoloration until after the soak. Also the back scales seemed to be "brissled" and a little mushy.

That looks pretty serious. I would take her to the vet immidiately for some antibiotic treatments.

Meanwhile, get her on paper towel substrate.

What is your setup like? How are you measuring your temps? What kind of thermometers? What kind of heat source? Is it regulated?

If you keep the enclosure clean, so the snake isn't sitting in wet bedding or in its own feces, I would think this is more likely a burn. Either way, vet visit asap, there is no home remedy for this condition.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

That looks pretty serious. I would take her to the vet immidiately for some antibiotic treatments.

Meanwhile, get her on paper towel substrate.

What is your setup like? How are you measuring your temps? What kind of thermometers? What kind of heat source? Is it regulated?

If you keep the enclosure clean, so the snake isn't sitting in wet bedding or in its own feces, I would think this is more likely a burn. Either way, vet visit asap, there is no home remedy for this condition.

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well i got this snake for free not to long ago with the tank an al included, it had a thermostat and humidity guage of some sort but she kept trying to pirch ontop of it till she eventually ripped it off the tank and into her water bowl...that was about 2 days ago. heat sorce is 2 heat rocks on either end of the tank but i havnt found any possible way to adjust the temp on them....u just plug the power cord in. bedding isnt wet nore r there any feces..changed bedding after she pooped. humidity is something im not sure how to control...its hot ass hell around here and equaly humid....

ive had corn snakes for years and have never had a sheding issue or anything ANYTHING troublesome or cause for worry before now. dont understand whats exactly this is or how it happened. both snakes i have at the moment r subject to the same temps, humidity, water, food and bedding...i just dont get it


what can i expect as far as the bill goes for the vet, im barely making rent with being layed off an all. i know it has to be done however im in a horrible financial situation at the moment and could really use a heads up.

That is your problem the heat rocks, get rid of them ASAP! she appears to have some mild burning from the heat rocks.

until you can get her to a vet, try soaking her every 2-3 days in a container with a lid, make sure the water is tepid (barely warm).

Fill container with only enough tepid water to cover the botoom 1/2 -3/4 of the snakes body add alittle betadine solution (Tbsp), cover container & let her soak for 30 minutes (do not leave the snake unattended) After soaking apply some neosporin (regular strength without pain reliever).

Keep her on a substrate of paper towels.

Hot rocks are ENTIRELY inapropriate to heat your enclosure with.

You need to get a thermostat, and you NEED to get an under tank heater.

That animal NEEDS to see a vet and get checked out.



PLEASE read the caresheet on ball pythons, that is on this site.
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

Quote:

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Originally Posted by llovelace

That is your problem the heat rocks, get rid of them ASAP! she appears to have some mild burning from the heat rocks.

until you can get her to a vet, try soaking her every 2-3 days in a container with a lid, make sure the water is tepid (barely warm).

Fill container with only enough tepid water to cover the botoom 1/2 -3/4 of the snakes body add alittle betadine solution (Tbsp), cover container & let her soak for 30 minutes (do not leave the snake unattended) After soaking apply some neosporin (regular strength without pain reliever).

Keep her on a substrate of paper towels.

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I really wouldn't recommend soaking with a lid... I have heard of too many snakes drowning that way.

rocks r gone, tookthem out soon as i woke up and checked the site, ive never used heat rocks before this tank setup that i was given. as far as soaking ill wait another day beore the next soak sence i did that last night before i wrote up this thread. i did use a container with a drilled lid however i used only 3/4 inch of water and kept the container in my lap the whole time while i was watching a movi so i could keep an eye on her. after awhile i took the lid off and she didnt seem to try to escape just wiggled arround a lil now and then and kept head rested on her own body above water level and submerging now and then. ill pick up some neosoprin today.

ide still like some kind of heads up on what i might expect from the vet so i can hurry up and maybe get a loan from my dad.....hate to do it but thats just how its gonna have to be. been calling around and having a hard time inding somewhere within 40 miles for a vet....just my luck i live in the middle of nowhere. r yall sure its a burn i worried as helll it might be rott!

I am not sure how much antibiotic injections are. Maybe someone else can answer that one.

I would say if you have been using heat rocks unregulated, it is definately a burn.

just find it odd, ive kept the heat rocks under the beding so she isnt directly on the rocks themselves...however she always stays where the rocks r in her cage


grah.....frustrating. she still hasnt managed to shed any more sence the soak but acts normal as always...mildly active and normally chillin on her tree or her log...doesnt seem slowed down by this "bad spot" she has the slightest bit.

Heat rocks get well over 100* which is more than enough to burn your snake. It she came in direct contact with it for any length of time, she would have been burned.

What is your humidity in her enclosure? Try misting the cage to get it up so she can try and get some shed off herself.