scale rot :-( HELP ASAP, vet havent helped

[Annarose15]

NOW FOR HIS UPDATE- after taking everyones advice, the bottom of his belly is finally looking much better, and though its only been 4 weeks since his last shed, his eyes turned blue again 2 days ago so im assuming hell be shedding any day now. i have tried feeding him since hes been out and about acting like hes hungry but no luck. after he sheds ill take pics and try feeding again

You may have already done this, but you should offer smaller prey than usual if you are going to feed him, once he sheds (like weanling rats). This will keep him from having to stretch his belly scales to eat. Best of luck, and we'd definitely like to see pics as he progresses.

[snyper93]

i actually only use feeder mice, though he can take down a rat, i dont trust the size/strength of a rat. so i usually grab 2 mice, if hes still acting hungry ill throw in another 1 or 2. i never see a bulge in his belly after he eats, so this should work out nice. and the problem starts about midway so his neck stretching wont be an issue. but thanks for the idea :-)

[angllady2]

I am glad to here he's doing better. I've thought about you both often. Take what the other people said with a grain of salt, sometimes people just jump down your throat without thinking things through, it's happened to me before.

The way I see it, if you've had the snake for so long with no problems, and you were never told any different than how you had things set up, why would you change? The good thing is, you cared enough to seek help, and to take steps to correct the problem. Lots of people won't. Either they don't care enough to seek help, or if they do seek it, they are to stubborn to change.

I'd love to see updated pictures when he sheds.

Gale

[heathers*bps]

I just recently delt with a similar situation. My male got a belly burn when I was on vacation. I took him to a vet and got a antibacterial ointment to rub on his belly every other day and an antibiotic injection every 3 days. I removed his substrate and put in the softer astro turf(grey kind) not the rough (green kind). I then turned his belly heat on medium heat and kept his top heat lamp on med to low during the day. The water dish and the lamp heat will keep your tank slightly humid but don't spray the enclosure. 50% humidity will do fine. It took about 3 shed cycles for his belly to fully clear up. But he made a full recovery and is eating like a machine. I hope this helps a little and good luck.

Nater

1.0 Albino BP
0.1 Het albino Het pied BP

I have to ask, is YOUR heat pad regulated with a thermostat?

To the OP, thank you for coming back and keeping us posted. I'm so glad to hear that he is starting to look better. I do believe, that when he does shed, the scabbing will come off, leaving the wounds open again. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I just don't want you freaking out about it when/if it happens.

[snyper93]

I have to ask, is YOUR heat pad regulated with a thermostat?

To the OP, thank you for coming back and keeping us posted. I'm so glad to hear that he is starting to look better. I do believe, that when he does shed, the scabbing will come off, leaving the wounds open again. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I just don't want you freaking out about it when/if it happens.

you are 100% right. he started shedding today and LOOKS FANTASTIC. however there are a few new open wounds that im sure will heal in time by the next shed or 2. i was so relieved this morning when i woke up and saw the difference.

AFTER

[Homegrownscales]

Yes that looks much much better. Looks like he's healing up well.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

[meowmeowkazoo]

I am so glad this story had a happy ending. Thank you for being a good pet owner and doing everything you could to get him better. I know plenty of people that wouldn't have wanted to pay for a vet visit, or wouldn't have bothered to seek additional advice after the vet visit. You did a lot of work to take care of your buddy, and it paid off.

On a scary note, I recently had the thermostat probe fall off of one of my zoo med heating pads. Luckily it was NOT on one of the plastic bins, and even more luckily, Dolly was smart enough to move away before she was injured. When I reattached the thermostat probe the temperature read at 138 degrees. I was horrified. The next day the heating pad shorted out, not sure if it was due to the extreme heat or if it was already malfunctioning to reach such a high temperature.

I'm glad I learned my lesson without casualties. I consider myself a responsible pet owner, but everyone can make mistakes.

[heathers*bps]

You are doing an awesome job. He is looking great! Keep up with what you're doing, and don't forget to offer food every week, even if he insists on not eating.

[decensored]

wow just saw this story for the first time! what a difference!!

glad to see it!

[hypnotixdmp]

AWESOME!!!! I was looking at previous pix and it had me worried for you, glad to see its healing, and nicely at that!

- - - Updated - - -

AWESOME!!!! I was looking at previous pix and it had me worried for you, glad to see its healing, and nicely at that!