Is This Scale Rot? Please Help

My BP developed what I think is scale rot while a family member was keeping him for me. I had been having trouble keeping the humidity up, so I switched the substrate from cypress mulch to a combination of Eco Earth and Repti Bark which did help with the humidity but I guess too much. At first I thought the redness on his belly was just bits of the eco earth but it wouldn’t wipe off and now I am convinced it’s scale rot. I am attaching links to some pictures because I don’t know how to add pictures on here. I have been doing betadine soaks (10%) and applying neosporin (with no pain killers) twice daily since the 15th and I switched him to paper towel as substrate. I disinfected the whole tank, and poured boiling water on his hides and his branch. The redness on his belly looks a little bit better but his scales are starting to fall out, mainly while he is getting soaked. This is my first reptile and obviously first time dealing with scale rot so I am stressed on what to do. If it doesn’t get better in the next day or two I will have to take him to the vet but I would rather try treating it myself first, if I am able to. Does this look like scale rot? If it is, how severe does his look? Any tips on how to help him before I have to take him to the vet? I feel horrible for him.


http://i.imgur.com/E7xDtZg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/18OxCXK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ET4GJ6k.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1pR98Ua.jpg

Switch him to paper towels. What is your temperature and humidity at? I've delt with scale rot before and it looks like it is the start of it. I wouldn't use polysporin at all. Betadine soaks daily like you've been doing. If it is scale rot that's about all you can do for him.

I had a Male a couple years ago get scale rot and it covered about 1/3rd of his belly and took several months to heal.

You did the right thing by cleaning his enclosure. If it is scale rot it's in its early stages but it's best to see a vet if possible.

Edit because I cant spell
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My humidity is now 50-55% and my temps are 75-77 ambient and my UT is set to 90. I have switched him to paper towels. Would you recommend doing the betadine soaks once or twice daily?

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Originally Posted by Tbs1417

My humidity is now 50-55% and my temps are 75-77 ambient and my UT is set to 90. I have switched him to paper towels. Would you recommend doing the betadine soaks once or twice daily?

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I'd recommend once daily as to not stress the snake out to much. It may start to look worse before it gets better though but you seem to have caught it early. Good luck and hopefully you get the lil guy all better

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Hi,

I see nothing worrying that won't disappear completely with the next shed. :)

Thank you both for your replies. Here is an updated picture. I have lowered his daily betadine baths to once a day, as suggested, but I’ve very worried about him. His scales on his belly are falling out. Is this a normal part of the healing process? Does it seem like he is getting better or worse?


http://imgur.com/C7DQdfn



http://imgur.com/vXQ7gFr



http://imgur.com/nR9A4nb



http://imgur.com/ZNq22Zd

Also, how do I go about feeding him? He is due for a feeding but how will I do the betadine baths when you’re supposed to leave them alone for 48 hours after eating? If I skip the baths for 2 days will his scale rot get worse?

Are there any signs he is going into shed?

I ask mainly because of the colour change of the scales. I'd be tempted to skip the baths alltogether for a few days and stop applying anything to the snakes skin. :weirdface

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Originally Posted by dr del

Are there any signs he is going into shed?

I ask mainly because of the colour change of the scales. I'd be tempted to skip the baths alltogether for a few days and stop applying anything to the snakes skin. :weirdface

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He doesn’t seem to have any sign of shedding. His eyes aren’t blue and his stomach isn’t pink. His scales on his stomach have mostly fallen out. Is that a normal part of the healing process for this?

I hope you get a response soon from keepers that have dealt with this. Ive never heard of scales all falling off their belly. Im sure you have Googled but id keep trying until you find something that is similar to help explain what might be happening.


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I'm hoping others chime in too. :(

The only thing I know that can make individual scales drop layers would be oil based treatments applied topically.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

I'm hoping others chime in too. :(

The only thing I know that can make individual scales drop layers would be oil based treatments applied topically.

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I haven't seen this either, but maybe it's from the Neosporin that the OP applied (along with Betadine soaks), as stated in the first post?
Neosporin is a petroleum-based ointment, & I've used it for wounds but never such a wide area.

So it could be from the neopsorin!? Now I feel even worse! I haven’t given him a bath in 4 days to give him a break, but I am planning on giving him one tonight. Should I just do the bath and no neosporin after? I also tried to feed him last night but he wouldn’t take it. He hasn’t eaten since it’s become colder outside and I read that was normal for ball pythons but now I’m worrying that it is something worse!

Just relax. No more neosporin and it is normal for males to stop feeding in winter if they are mature enough to want to breed.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tbs1417

So it could be from the neopsorin!? Now I feel even worse! I haven’t given him a bath in 4 days to give him a break, but I am planning on giving him one tonight. Should I just do the bath and no neosporin after? I also tried to feed him last night but he wouldn’t take it. He hasn’t eaten since it’s become colder outside and I read that was normal for ball pythons but now I’m worrying that it is something worse!

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Don't feel worse - we are just spitballing ideas here and it looks waaaay better than it did initially. :gj:

I would prepare for the snake to shed a lot more frequently than usual until it is healed though - nothing to worry about it is just part of their healing process.

You seem to be doing a good job so no need to beat yourself up at this point. :)


dr del