Please help! Scale Rot or Burn??

I just grabbed my male ball python and found these irregular scales near his vent. He was fine just a day or two ago. Is this scale rot or a burn? All of my cages have thermostats and I even just temp gunned his and its at 89 degrees at the hottest spot. Any and all help would be appreciated.

Whichever it is, where can I get the meds to treat him?

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I am no expert here, but have my guesses but want to really see what others think.

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Originally Posted by Bcycling

I am no expert here, but have my guesses but want to really see what others think.

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On my way to wal mart now to grab betadine and chlorohexidine.


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Got the betadine. Walgreens is the only place carrying chlorohexidine in my area so im gonna head over there now.

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It's odd, being so localized. Definitely not a burn. Scale rot can be localized to individual scales, but doesn't just appear overnight. If you are 100% certain that a day or two ago, this wasn't present, look at the enclosure. What, if anything, could your python get to, that could damage the scales. Is there anything adhesive that it may have gotten stuck to, damaging the scales? Could this have happened the last time the snake was out?

In any case, I would switch to paper towel substrate during the healing process, and do soaks in diluted betadine. Also cover the area with polysporin (without the painkillers) and keep a close eye on things.

On a side note, since you have chlorhexidine, if you dilute it to 2% (the topical formulas are usually 4%), it makes for a fantastic antiseptic cleaner. I use it frequently with quarantined animals.

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Originally Posted by Eavlynn

It's odd, being so localized. Definitely not a burn. Scale rot can be localized to individual scales, but doesn't just appear overnight. If you are 100% certain that a day or two ago, this wasn't present, look at the enclosure. What, if anything, could your python get to, that could damage the scales. Is there anything adhesive that it may have gotten stuck to, damaging the scales? Could this have happened the last time the snake was out?

In any case, I would switch to paper towel substrate during the healing process, and do soaks in diluted betadine. Also cover the area with polysporin (without the painkillers) and keep a close eye on things.

On a side note, since you have chlorhexidine, if you dilute it to 2% (the topical formulas are usually 4%), it makes for a fantastic antiseptic cleaner. I use it frequently with quarantined animals.

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Thats just why its so strange. This for SURE appeared overnight. He JUST shed 3 days ago. Good solid shed just took him a while. I was concerned maybe retained scales? No adhesives or anything like that in his enclosure. Already using paper towel substrate with just a waterbowl and a plastic hide that I by hand dulled the edges on.

He got a diluted betadine soak last night and will get another when I get off work today. I will look at the area and give an update. Very weird but ultimately the health of my baby boy is nothing I'm willing to chance.

Will update with a picture later if anu development good or bad.

Do the soaks, and grab some polysporin when you get the chance. I'd definitely like to stay posted on how your boy is recovering.

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Originally Posted by Eavlynn

Do the soaks, and grab some polysporin when you get the chance. I'd definitely like to stay posted on how your boy is recovering.

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Absolutely.

I'm headed to the drug store today on my lunch break to get the topical ointment. Any brand suggestions? I just know to make sure it doesnt have the painkillers in it and if its oil based be very limited on how much I apply.


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Originally Posted by cheosamad

Absolutely.

I'm headed to the drug store today on my lunch break to get the topical ointment. Any brand suggestions? I just know to make sure it doesnt have the painkillers in it and if its oil based be very limited on how much I apply.


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No brand suggestion really, the active ingredients are the same with name brands and off brands. I got the name brand polysporin and used it lightly. Once they get moving around on the paper towels, they rub most of it off anyway, so a light application works.

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This is what he is looking like tonight before his betadine soak. He looks slightly better than yesterday. The inflimation and redness doesnt seem AS bad but I still don't really know what's going on. I got the sporin without the painkiller today. It's oil based but that's all my store had so I'm going to be very light with how much I used and do it every second day.

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