Scale Rot NNNNOOOOooo

Great good to hear the little one will be fine.

I commend you for taking responsibility and taking the bp to the vet. We need more people like you! Just make sure your husbandry is always up to par so it doesn't happen again. GL :gj:

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Originally Posted by Generationshell

Just make sure your husbandry is always up to par so it doesn't happen again. GL :gj:

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Not to get too far off-topic, but I think that because it's impossible to have a perfect enclosure with 100% perfect husbandry, there is no way to guarantee this won't ever happen. Of course you can do your best to prevent it, but sometimes things just happen. I'm glad it was noticed quickly and treated the right way.. That's the most important part in this situation. Having husbandry that is "up to par" may greatly decrease this happening, but I don't think it will eliminate it. But, someone who knows more please correct me if I'm wrong.

I'll admit my BP has had a run in with scale rot. But it was only a couple scales. Beta-dine soaks quickly fixed it. And since then there hasn't been any run ins with it because I am more strict on husbandry. I make sure my tank is cleaned every week. Sprayed down with Lysol spray. Aired out. Then wiped down with water to get harsh chemicals out and make sure my BP doesn't come in contact with the Lysol. I let it air out again. Then put in the paper towel substrate. Clean the items. Refill the water bowel. All while my BP enjoys a nice lukewarm bath. :] No way mites are ever going to take over my BP again. :] Everything else is also regulated. So I mean if you are doing the absolute best you can, and your BP still gets scale rot even then I would evaluate what may have caused it. Things happen and I understand that. As long as the scale rot isn't severe I wont criticize others. We all have our ways of doing things and our opinions. So please no arguing about what is the best way to do what. Thank you.

And once again I am glad your BP has gotten the care it needed.

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Originally Posted by Generationshell

I'll admit my BP has had a run in with scale rot. But it was only a couple scales. Beta-dine soaks quickly fixed it. And since then there hasn't been any run ins with it because I am more strict on husbandry. I make sure my tank is cleaned every week. Sprayed down with Lysol spray. Aired out. Then wiped down with water to get harsh chemicals out and make sure my BP doesn't come in contact with the Lysol. I let it air out again. Then put in the paper towel substrate. Clean the items. Refill the water bowel. All while my BP enjoys a nice lukewarm bath. :] No way mites are ever going to take over my BP again. :] Everything else is also regulated. So I mean if you are doing the absolute best you can, and your BP still gets scale rot even then I would evaluate what may have caused it. Things happen and I understand that. As long as the scale rot isn't severe I wont criticize others. We all have our ways of doing things and our opinions. So please no arguing about what is the best way to do what. Thank you.

And once again I am glad your BP has gotten the care it needed.

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I wasn't arguing about the best way to do it. I've just noticed that since your incident where the friend's snake ended up severely neglected, you are very quick to jump on others when something happens. I get that you're passionate about making sure snakes are well taken care of, as everyone should be. But, like I said.. sometimes even when you do everything that you can right, something still goes wrong. This person never said they left the snake for weeks in a dirty tank or anything like that. I'm not trying to argue, just adding my opinion :)

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Originally Posted by ShortStack

I've just noticed that since your incident where the friend's snake ended up severely neglected, you are very quick to jump on others when something happens.

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I understand where you are coming from. Its is just I'm sure you know also that extreme scale rot is inexcusable. From experience I know it starts as one scale so when you see 80% of a snakes underbelly rotting away its very clear the snake was neglected. That's why I get upset. I saw a snake die while people sat around and did nothing. I know I can't save the world. But I'm standing up for an animal that doesn't have a voice. :happycry:

If and only if you are strict on your husbandry practices. You won't have any issues with scale rot. Most scale rot comes from little things like a rat bite that's gets infected with bacteria. And the bacteria comes from bad cleaning practices. Not cleaning
And maintaining the cage like it should be. Things do happen that's true. But you won't have an issue with it if you are on top of things. I spot clean daily, change bedding weekly and sanitize bi weekly.I've never had a problem with scale rot. If you feed live after every feeding take the snake out and check for any bites. You should be able to do this quickly if you watch with the feeding and if you see the rat struggling quite a bit have a safety plan for preventing biting while the rat is being constricted. Stunning or chopsticks work quite well. Little things like this and regular mantainance of the cage and also examining your animals frequently for changes do wonders.

I took 2 years of extensive studies on Ball Pythons before even buying one and am not ashamed to ask questions even if there basic cause I love all my animals and wanna provide the best care for them and I been kinda depressed she got rot cause I felt like I was doing my best to keep Husbandry at the best I could. But am glad to have all you guys and gals support. And, Misty actually is looking more better and taking her meds. with no issues.

Lance

Its a very common thing really. But that is why it is so important to watch the animals carefully. I also have logs that I keep on all the balls and maintenance logs for the racks. I'm pretty forgetful so I have to write everything down. Possibly you could make a check list and do a monthly check list so that you don't forget anything. I draw them up really easily on my computer and they really help me keep track of things. I don't think you did anything wrong, it's really great you saw the problem and took her to the vet to solve it. I wish Every owner could take that initiative. Some take none at all and their animals die from something so easily treatable.
Morgan

Quick update its been 10 days I been giving her oral med. from the Vet and she is looking and acting better the rot looks like its not spreading and just needs to fall off. So not sure what I do after the 2 week treatment if the scale rot will fall off or do i manually remove it?

Lance