Scale Rot Plz Help,...

Ok,... I have been loking over this site since this situation occured about a month ago, My friend seperated from his fiance and asked if I could house his animals a 2yr old ball python aka Sinister and a bearded dragon, when sinister arrived I noticed a pink tint to his belly so I changed his substrate cuz it was moist due to a spilt water bowl,... more to the point over the next week I was told that he would suply them food he has failed to do so therefore I did it out of what little cash I had,... should I turn him in for neglect or not(the dragon had neither a water or food bowl in cage on arrival)

But back to the problem at hand, the pink turned into swollen scales as he tried to shed they then seemed to become water logged and peeled off a chunk at a time I then consulted a local breeder due to no money for a vet he suggested betadine baths twice a day for half an hour each so I did, which brings us to tonight I have talked to a vet earlier and found that I dont qualify for thier payment plan due to no credit history the scales that peeled off are about 3/8 of an inch below the outer scales and just look really raw he is willing to eat though,... any advice in case they turn me away is helpfull plz and thanks

I have pics I'm going to post

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/...n/Sinister.jpg
^^^This Is Sinister^^^

http://s1085.photobucket.com/albums/...&current=4.jpg

http://s1085.photobucket.com/albums/...&current=5.jpg

http://s1085.photobucket.com/albums/...&current=6.jpg

http://s1085.photobucket.com/albums/...ofscalerot.jpg

^^^These are before his betadine bath tonight^^^

http://s1085.photobucket.com/albums/...rbathtime3.jpg

http://s1085.photobucket.com/albums/...erbathtime.jpg

http://s1085.photobucket.com/albums/...rbathtime4.jpg

^^^And This Is After Bath Time^^^

Sorry but that snake needs to see a vet

If it is scale rot keep him on newspaper. Don't use any oil based creams or salves like neosporine or bacitracin. Silver burn cream is what's good for that. The soaks in the betadine are good.

Keep him dry without sacrificing too much ambient humidity. What's the surface temperature of his warm side? It could also be a burn if his underbelly heat is nor controlled by a thermostat. It should be 88/91 give or take a degree. And about 80 ambient temp on the cool side.

As for the dragon.. Bowls are not really required. Many won't drink water from a bowl. They require a warm soak a few times a week to stay properly hydrated. Check out the dragon forum for info on veggies, greens, and insects to feed him.

Silver Sulfadiazine Cream.. That's what you need for that. Check at your local drug store.

Continue the betadine baths and get some of that cream on the area. Try to get him to the vet for treatment as soon as you can.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

Silver Sulfadiazine Cream.. That's what you need for that. Check at your local drug store.

Continue the betadine baths and get some of that cream on the area. Try to get him to the vet for treatment as soon as you can.

---

alright thank you both i was going to take him in tomorrow but will still look into the cream to have on hand i'm not sure of the temerature cuz there is no thermostat in the tank but i know i keep my room about 80 degrees anyway because we have another ball who is happy healthy and quite fat lol,... if anything else comes to mind let me know and i'll post updates as things progress thanks again

Seems like a lot of people have let their snakes get severe scale rot theses days.... (Not saying it is you b/c you took the bp in after this occurred)
And Finally! Someone willing to take the snake to a vet. Good Job!!
Please do! Don't be like the others.... :/

Good luck!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Generationshell

Seems like a lot of people have let their snakes get severe scale rot theses days.... (Not saying it is you b/c you took the bp in after this occurred)
And Finally! Someone willing to take the snake to a vet. Good Job!!
Please do! Don't be like the others.... :/

Good luck!

---

Thanks and I will I find all of this ironic in a way cuz in about six months I start college to become a vet tech so if anything this is motivation to get that done I'm sick of seeing animals suffer I wish there was a more affordable way to get them care,... I even tryed signing up for the new pet cupon through banfield cuz they offer the first visit free but because he's not a dog or cat it doesnt work,... so yeah i just hope its not too late

Ok the vet visit fell through because I have no credit history and dont qualify for thier payment plans I spent the morning calling about 15 vets and finally the humane society and no one has anyway for me to get him treated the is not just ridiculous but heart breaking as well,... I havent given up yet though I'm going to keep digging but it may come back down to home treatments,... sorry guys I'll update later

Just keep trying to find someone that can help you. Contact your friend and tell him if he doesn't give you some money to fix the snake then you will turn it in to a rescue.

A snake needs to be in a wet and dirty environment for a very long time in order to get this type of scale and skin problem.

The thing that worries me is the possibility of infection. An exotics vet is going to have you treat it the exact way I told you but they would most likely give some antibiotics to ward off infection. If it has gotten that bad then antibiotics may be very necessary.

In the mean time keep it's enclosure very clean and dry. Keep him on clean newspaper and change his water regularly. Cover the top of the enclosure to help hold just enough humidity so he doesn't get an RI. Be sure the hot side is not too hot in case of burns. If there is no thermostat controlling the under tank heat then this could be a problem. Put an extra thick layer of newspaper or paper towels over on that side if it feels too warm to the touch.

Continue the medicated soaks about every other day or so and get some of that cream from the drug store.

If there are blisters or fluid under the scales it needs to come out so the area can dry out and heal.

Keep trying to get some help for it but if it doesn't appear to be getting any better since you've had it then it will need to be given to someone who can take care of it properly.

Also check the regional forums to see if there are any members near you that may be able to take the snake and help it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

Just keep trying to find someone that can help you. Contact your friend and tell him if he doesn't give you some money to fix the snake then you will turn it in to a rescue.

A snake needs to be in a wet and dirty environment for a very long time in order to get this type of scale and skin problem.

The thing that worries me is the possibility of infection. An exotics vet is going to have you treat it the exact way I told you but they would most likely give some antibiotics to ward off infection. If it has gotten that bad then antibiotics may be very necessary.

In the mean time keep it's enclosure very clean and dry. Keep him on clean newspaper and change his water regularly. Cover the top of the enclosure to help hold just enough humidity so he doesn't get an RI. Be sure the hot side is not too hot in case of burns. If there is no thermostat controlling the under tank heat then this could be a problem. Put an extra thick layer of newspaper or paper towels over on that side if it feels too warm to the touch.

Continue the medicated soaks about every other day or so and get some of that cream from the drug store.

If there are blisters or fluid under the scales it needs to come out so the area can dry out and heal.

Keep trying to get some help for it but if it doesn't appear to be getting any better since you've had it then it will need to be given to someone who can take care of it properly.

---

alright will do i hate to give him up but if it needs to be done then so be it,...should i continue trying to feed him periodically???

i just had a similar problem i took my snake to the vet, i was given these intructions...
1. use indoor outdoor carpet for substrate
2. take all water out of tank
3. soak ten minutes in clean water then ten in betodine (tea color) water then rise off
4. then apply silver burn cream after completely drying off
5. then every 3 days a shot of antibiotics

My snakes scale rot was the same or worse then yours. the vet visit may be expensive but its compeletly worth it! the visit itself was 75, the cream was ten and the antibotics were 10 for a bag of about 25. My fella has gone throw one shed and is already looking ten times better. make sure to keep him dry in his enclosure!

Also my vet told me to do this for 6 weeks and not to try to feed him because it could cause more stress and the under side is sore so it may not even want to.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jessssssica

i just had a similar problem i took my snake to the vet, i was given these intructions...
1. use indoor outdoor carpet for substrate
2. take all water out of tank
3. soak ten minutes in clean water then ten in betodine (tea color) water then rise off
4. then apply silver burn cream after completely drying off
5. then every 3 days a shot of antibiotics

My snakes scale rot was the same or worse then yours. the vet visit may be expensive but its compeletly worth it! the visit itself was 75, the cream was ten and the antibotics were 10 for a bag of about 25. My fella has gone throw one shed and is already looking ten times better. make sure to keep him dry in his enclosure!

---

alright sounds like a plan but may i ask what kind of antibiotics were given and i'm headed to get the cream later today

I got a bag of the suringes full of the antibotics thats called 1 gm (ceftasidime)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jessssssica

I got a bag of the suringes full of the antibotics thats called 1 gm (ceftasidime)

---

alright,... thankyou both so much and i will keep this updated,... i just got off the phone with my pharmacy and they don't carry the cream without a perscription so i get to keep digging

Call the vets in your area and ask if they would give you or sell you a little of that cream. If you do a google search you can buy it online but it would be very helpful if you had some now.

My vet filled a pill bottle of it for me to have after one of my retics was bitten by a rat when she grabbed it wrong.

It can be hard to find. Maybe call your Dr's office and ask if you can have some. It's good to have on hand.

The reason neosporin and bacitracin should not be used in this instance is any oil based salves will keep the area too moist and will cause the scales to flake off of reptiles.

are your parents able to loan you the $ for the vet visit ? hopefully if they saw the snake they would help you get treatment . also if everything works out .. make sure you keep receipts and make sure you friend pays you back for all this or you keep the snake ... medical treatment is not free and if it wasnt for you the snake would die ..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by XIIIPythons

are your parents able to loan you the $ for the vet visit ? hopefully if they saw the snake they would help you get treatment . also if everything works out .. make sure you keep receipts and make sure you friend pays you back for all this or you keep the snake ... medical treatment is not free and if it wasnt for you the snake would die ..

---

my parents are in the same boat i am no credit and no money till the first,...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

Call the vets in your area and ask if they would give you or sell you a little of that cream. If you do a google search you can buy it online but it would be very helpful if you had some now.

My vet filled a pill bottle of it for me to have after one of my retics was bitten by a rat when she grabbed it wrong.

It can be hard to find. Maybe call your Dr's office and ask if you can have some. It's good to have on hand.

The reason neosporin and bacitracin should not be used in this instance is any oil based salves will keep the area too moist and will cause the scales to flake off of reptiles.

---

ok i understand the oil based issue but they make neosporin in a cream as well would that help till i can get to the vet?

Then find that cream and continue treatment til then. Do try to find someone near you that can help.

If it's going to heal then it will look a lot better in just a couple days. If it doesnt, then you have to consider letting someone who can treat it have it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

Then find that cream and continue treatment til then. Do try to find someone near you that can help.

If it's going to heal then it will look a lot better in just a couple days. If it doesnt, then you have to consider letting someone who can treat it have it.

---

alright thanks again i will head to the store and give him his bath when i get back and continue updates from there,...

Hello again,... another problem I went to pick up the neosporin cream that they make but the only kind they have has the pain relief in it are there any other suggestions on creams I can use or can I use the neosporin still???

No. It isn't a good idea to use neosporin. Or any triple antibiotic cream. Or bacitracin.

You need to find one that isn't oil based for this type of scale problem or you'll most likely make it worse.

Ask the pharmacist if they carry another white cream that may be similar to the silver burn cream. All the clear type ointments I listed are really not good for this.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

No. It isn't a good idea to use neosporin. Or any triple antibiotic cream. Or bacitracin.

You need to find one that isn't oil based for this type of scale problem or you'll most likely make it worse.

Ask the pharmacist if they carry another white cream that may be similar to the silver burn cream. All the clear type ointments I listed are really not good for this.

---

ok they say there arent any and the only way to get the burn cream is through perscription or online,... i found an equate antibacterial cream that i was going to try out on a small patch is that an ok idea,...?

Alright,... I gave him his betadine bath tonight come to find out I wasn't making the mix strong enough this whole time so I resolved that, also I aplied a cream to him replaced his paper towels and I watched him for a few mins kinda itch his belly then settle in and since then he has layed in the same spot I'm going to replace his water bowl before I go to bed he has this look of relief in a sense but now I wait till tomorrow to check for improvement I also was able to find a close friend to loan me 20 bucks to go order the silver sulfadiazine off a website. I still plan to take him in on the first weather things have reasolved or not for a check up and make sure how things are,... I will continue to update as things progress with pics every few days if things start to look better in case this happens to someone else who wants to look at the healing process thanks again to all who added thier advice in here and I hope for the best,...

Sincerly

Bridgett

i picked up a snake from a craigs list kid that hadscale rot as well... not as bad but i just kept her tub dry never soaked her and just put a&d cream on her once a day....after about a week or so it went away but you could see the marks on her belly... after the next shed it was almost 100% gone

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fullrace2

i picked up a snake from a craigs list kid that hadscale rot as well... not as bad but i just kept her tub dry never soaked her and just put a&d cream on her once a day....after about a week or so it went away but you could see the marks on her belly... after the next shed it was almost 100% gone

---

ok thanks

I got to take him to the vet today and got everything needed further updates will be posted in my blog so that i dont tie up the threads for other important questions thx again for your help feel free to message me with questions

Oh good. Post photos when he's all healed up :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

Oh good. Post photos when he's all healed up :)

---

I plan to post at least one pic every like three to five days because the vet said this is the worst one he's seen yet so i think the world needs to see how bad it can be and how it heals,...

Since my registration doesn't allow me to post in a blog the way i wanted to i will be hopefully starting a side site for healing process from this,... if you have questions message me and also i will post the link when its finished,... he will be returning to the vet on the first of march for a follow up appointment

whatever you do please dont give this snake or the bearded dragon back to the owner report him

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kasmiraross

whatever you do please dont give this snake or the bearded dragon back to the owner report him

---

he actually contacted me the other day about the dragon and i wasn't sure what to do he wants him by saturday i said i would try but i doubt i will do it i agree he needs to be reported,... however i regret to announce that the BP i was nursing got three days into treatment and during his evening soak i dont know what happened but when i went to take him out to apply the cream he was dead so now i am looking into another ball because my son is severely distraught over the loss,... thank you all again for your time and effort i just wish i knew what happened last night


R.I.P Sinister 1/25/11

I'm sorry about the loss of him. That was a very bad injury and I suspect it may have been a combination of burns and moisture rot. At least now you now know what not to do when you get your own. Just be sure you get a thermostat or at the very least, a dimmer switch and the proper thermometer/hygrometer before you buy your own BP.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

I'm sorry about the loss of him. That was a very bad injury and I suspect it may have been a combination of burns and moisture rot. At least now you now know what not to do when you get your own. Just be sure you get a thermostat or at the very least, a dimmer switch and the proper thermometer/hygrometer before you buy your own BP.

---

i have a full size male right now that has all the necesity meters and moisture in the tank,... the tank that this BP came to me in was nothing but paper towels and a UTH when he arrived,...

aww thats so sad atleast you tryed please dont let him have the bearded dragon and def report him this poor snake died because of him

awww what a sad sad story! I tend to agree with Foschi....I think it was a combo burn/rot and it got infected. How terrible for your son but what an amazing lesson in responsible pet ownership. Do whatever you have to ....to try to keep the beardie. Beardies take a lot more to take care of. If he wasn't taking care of the snake I can only imagine the beardie.

One thing I did see while I was reading through this thread !!!!


DO NOT put a snake with any type of these issues on reptile carpet!!!!!!!! Use newspapers or paper towels only. Personally don't use carpet ever...but especially when these issues are present. Carpet harbors bacteria and when you have an open wound such as this...bacteria can and will lead to infections.