Scale Rot and Should I Take Her In?

She's gotten almost all of it off her belly and is just working on the top half and tail tip. I didn't get pics from right now but if it hasn't finished by tomorrow, I'm going to try a soak unless you think it would be too early.

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Originally Posted by RiA MaU

She's gotten almost all of it off her belly and is just working on the top half and tail tip. I didn't get pics from right now but if it hasn't finished by tomorrow, I'm going to try a soak unless you think it would be too early.

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Regarding the damp paper towels on the top of the screen, I would use either aluminum foil or saran wrap instead simply because they don't dry out and they retain mosture better. The paper towels can dry out and are more porous, allowing moisture to escape. Damp paper towels *in* the enclosure are fine; although damp sphagnum moss is my personal favorite.

If she has patches of old shed as of tomorrow, you can try a warm water soak with a towel.

Also, not sure if it's the design of the water bowl, but you need to change her water. It should be refreshed whenever it's dirtied or cluttered. Looks like a bunch of bark might be in it.

Our beloved snakeys usually prove to be more expensive than most new owners originally bargain for, but it's so worth it for their well-being. Spending the necessary money upfront is worth it, and will ultimately save you in vet bills later if your husbandry is right!

This ^^^^^^^^ . Also, for the record, scale rot usually presents on the ventral scales of snakes. That is the underbelly, and typically is a yellow to brownish discoloration of those scales with areas of visible irritation and maybe reddening. :salute:

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Originally Posted by O'Mathghamhna

Regarding the damp paper towels on the top of the screen, I would use either aluminum foil or saran wrap instead simply because they don't dry out and they retain mosture better. The paper towels can dry out and are more porous, allowing moisture to escape. Damp paper towels *in* the enclosure are fine; although damp sphagnum moss is my personal favorite.

If she has patches of old shed as of tomorrow, you can try a warm water soak with a towel.

Also, not sure if it's the design of the water bowl, but you need to change her water. It should be refreshed whenever it's dirtied or cluttered. Looks like a bunch of bark might be in it.

Our beloved snakeys usually prove to be more expensive than most new owners originally bargain for, but it's so worth it for their well-being. Spending the necessary money upfront is worth it, and will ultimately save you in vet bills later if your husbandry is right!

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1. The paper towels were only in the hides and I had foil covering the top. I was advised to try regular towels instead. 2. I change the water daily and due to how heavy the bowl is, the substrate sticks to my hands and the bowl spills a lot and it's difficult to keep it full and clean when I change it. 3. I may unfortunately need to sell her because I don't MAKE the right money to even save for things like vets. ;-;

A few pieces of substrate in the water is not a huge thing.

When you clean the water bowl don't fill it up before putting it back. Clean it and then just put a little water in it, not so much that you can not carry it easily. Then once it is replaced in the tank top it off with a cup or pitcher.

Was going to suggest that ^^^^ as it's what I do with the bigger snakes/water bowls.

So there are only 3 problem areas I saw. Head, one back patch, the very tip of the tail. http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01...f924df3763.jpg http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01...b71afd4d30.jpg http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01...544a87488f.jpg I fed her today and she ate fine. While she ate, I did a full tank clean. I completely replaced the substrate and cleaned everything in it. I just misted everything and the reader says 81° (which always drops after a mist) and 80% (which I'm guessing is because I got water on it when I sprayed) on the warm side.

First picture is simply where the top layer of the new scales got stuck to the old skin during shed - nothing to worry about. :gj:

The second and third are pieces of stuck shed - misting with water and rub them with your fingers and they should come off readily.

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Originally Posted by RiA MaU

1. The paper towels were only in the hides and I had foil covering the top. I was advised to try regular towels instead.

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Stick to the foil. I don't know why there seems to be a rash of people spreading the damp towel thing around, but who wants to continuously have a wet towel hanging around on their stuff? It's a breeding ground for bacteria and germs, not to mention the inconvenience of having to re-dampen it continuously. It also helps to place your water so it's under the foil and a bit on the warm side.

A good guide to follow if you're using a glass tank is http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

And a decent thermostat to start off with under 40$ is available through Amazon http://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-ETL-Cer.../dp/B000NZZG3S

Thanks. I've got the humidity staying between 50%-60% right now but temps are at about 86° on warm now. How do I keep both up???