Very sick python help

[Soph]

Please help my python and me fix this mess-

my ball python has been got a very sick looking tummy - it must be scale rot or infection or something else? (please can someone tell me how to attach pics? can't see link here?) i can see some oedema and swelling, his whole underside is brown with blackened scale tips. He's also apparantly been off his food for a couple of months (which i was unaware of) - can malnutrition add to this or be a cause of this? will he survive? (he seems normal in activity and character so perhaps there's hope he can fight this)

he's going straight to the vet tomorrow for advice and i guess antibiotics- is there anything else i can do? i have read on betadine washes but wanted to check first on wether this is a good idea and on how to apply/how dilute- i don't want to causea any pain or make it any worse. I have cleaned the cage thoroughly and its dry other than his water bowl.

OK and please don't blast me for this I have been crying about this all morning and am fuming this has happened i've had him for 3 years and he's been happy and in perfect health and condition -I no there is no excuse for this but before you judge my pet has been with someone for a few months who was supposed to know about basic care for pythons - i will NEVER leave him with anyone ever again.

[llovelace]

post pictures thru photobucket.com , remove all subsrate and replace with paper liners, apply some neosporin without pain reliever. he needs to be kept dry. so any water spills urine or poo needs to cleaned asap. Good luck

[Soph]

Thanks for impartial advice -i am so stressed out by this! I have always been so concerned with his wellbeing this is just soul destroying
its not his whole belly this is the worst bit its more his lower third:

<a href="http://gs84.photobucket.com/groups/k1/GDYKK3RLSJ/?action=view&current=CIMG3191.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://gi84.photobucket.com/groups/k1/GDYKK3RLSJ/CIMG3191.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://gs84.photobucket.com/groups/k1/GDYKK3RLSJ/?action=view&current=CIMG3194-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://gi84.photobucket.com/groups/k1/GDYKK3RLSJ/CIMG3194-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://gs84.photobucket.com/groups/k1/GDYKK3RLSJ/?action=view&current=CIMG3194.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://gi84.photobucket.com/groups/k1/GDYKK3RLSJ/CIMG3194.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[Soph]

oops - that didn't work try again

[Soph]

[llovelace]

Thanks for posting the pics, at least it's not oozing, just keep the belly dry except for the neopsorin, the vet will probably put him on antibiotics. Everything will be fine, I've seen them come back from much worse, your friend needs a

[Soph]

i accept responsibility as i souldn't have let it happen but yeah the guy lookin after him is a complete waste of space certainly not a mate now. I will up date later as this may help other people too - this forum rocks

[llovelace]

Yeah it does!! keep us posted.

[Exotic Ectotherms]

Does that look like burns to anyone else? I think it looks more like a burn than scale rot.

OP, what are your temps like...especially the surface temp of the bottom of the enclosure?

[stratus_020202]

We all make mistakes. As long as we can learn from them. Don't beat yourself up about it. Your boy is in better hands now I have my fingers crossed.