Ball python red circular wound. Pictures included

[HaIvIIvIeR]

My ball python is 7 months old and i noticed a wound that looks like a small red circle. There is a skin around the wound that looks like its about to shed but no where else on its body. Here are a few pictures:
http://tinypic.com/r/72azp5/6
http://tinypic.com/r/10i6jbo/6
What is this and is it bad? Just wondering if I should worry about this or not. Thanks!

[WingedWolfPsion]

I'm really not sure, but it looks infected, so you need to get him to a vet immediately.

[2kdime]

That looks like scale rot....

But almost looks like septicemia.

I'd be scheduling a vet appointment ASAP to get her on some antibiotics.

[RichsBallPythons]

pictures arent the best but looks like a burn from wrapping around a heat source for too long. Scale rat isnt common in the sides of the snakes.

What type of heat source do you have in the cage.

[thegoalie22]

I would say that's a burn or scale rot, but I'm not positive. Do you use a heat pad, heating rock, or flexwatt in your tank? If so , are they regulated? If you use a hot rock, get it out of there immediately! They cause burns very often. He does look like he is getting ready to shed, which for a skin/scale problem is a good thing. See a trusted reptile vet ASAP.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Rodent bite is a possibility that occurred to me, but if that's it, then it's sure to be septic, given the wide red ring around it. It's impossible for us to tell from slightly blurry small photos, and we aren't vets, but I think the important thing you're hearing here is that this is serious, and treatment shouldn't be delayed at all.

[mpkeelee]

the pictures arent the best but i agree with the others, it looks like a burn. if you feed live it could be a bite or some other infected wound from its prey. either way get to a vet and get it taken care of

[HaIvIIvIeR]

I think I know what the problem is then, I was just worried that it was a tick underneath its scale or something.
But I use to put a wet towel over the screen to keep the humidity at 60 but little did I know that the screen underneath the towel was rusting away and actually created a hole. My brother found it coming through the screen hole and the day light bulb was cracked. As far as I know he just put the snake back in and covered up the hole until I came home and purchased a new screen and bulb.

So that should sum up this problem but my snake should be ok in a while right?

[WingedWolfPsion]

Regardless of the cause of the wound, we're all telling you that you need to have it looked at.

[singingtothewheat]

Burns can be very serious business and in my opinion should always be seen by a qualified vet. Infection is a very high risk. The wound can also release chemicals in the system of the animal that can kill it's kidneys. A vet visit is a must.