Very sick python help

[Kaorte]

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?

Well, burns have pretty much the same treatment. This is probably scale rot though if someone was taking care of the snake and left soiled bedding in there for a long time. Thermal burns after being in the same (assuming) enclosure for 3 years doesn't make much sense.

[Exotic Ectotherms]

Well, burns have pretty much the same treatment. This is probably scale rot though if someone was taking care of the snake and left soiled bedding in there for a long time. Thermal burns after being in the same (assuming) enclosure for 3 years doesn't make much sense.

Good point...its still possible, but as you pointed out, unlikely.

[Soph]

hmm i wonder if it is from a heat problem. I don't trust anything even heating as i wasn't around when it happened - all equipment sees to be working fine at the moment, now he's back in my care but don't want to take risks so changed thermometer and keeping an eye on it all. Thanks for commenting - very useful to get advice from people with a bit more experience.

[Turbo Serpent]

I also agree that it looks more to be burns than rot. My orange ghost had a few spots of rot on his belly when i got him and I kept everything dry and after the next shed it went back to normal.

But the belly pictures above definitely do not look like rot to me.

Are you running a thermostat/rheostat on your heating device soph?

What kind of heating device are you using? And what temps do you have it set to if you are using a thermostat?

[Soph]

Full MOT at the vet today and he agrees with u guys this is likley burn. Mic is having a 2 week course of AB's to prevent infection setting in and lots of TLC - injections too after all he's been through, more pain he doesn't like them one bit. His viv set up is being monitored by me very closely. wel''go to the vets every ither day to moitor his progress and hopefully i can nurse him back to health

've checked a million times all working (i use habistat on lowest setting and have thermometers stuck on all the walls and now also one the floor where the heat mat is. the hottest temp now on the floor is 75 degrees and the coolest 60 degrees at other end. Humidity 65-70. His regular set up before this mishap.

There's an very upsetting twist to this saga- i think that the person who was 'looking after' mic for a while was not using thermostat properly however i can't be sure i am 99.99% This means mic is lucky to be alive. I am so upset i can't stop crying Its anyones worst nightmare to cause harm their pet but to have left him with someone so irrisponsible was my fault i should have checked on him or double checked details of his temporary home.

I am hoping and praying that his insides are not damaged and that he'll eat again now and with time and lots of TLC get better. He's as active and lovingly friendly as ever and still enjoying his bath time alot so it seems mic has forgiven me however i cannot imagine the discomfort he has gone through and is going through now and will never forgive myself for this.I only hope i don't loose him. Thanks so much again for posts and any further advice much appreciated

[grim reaper in NY]

First of all, I doubt very much that you're going to lose him. You got him to the vet, he's on meds and he is still acting healthy. It's not uncommon for snakes to pass on feeding, especially if they've been moved and jostled around. Snakes are alot smarter than people give them credit for. He knows he's back where he belongs and in time, once he gets over the stress of what he's been through he'll get back to normal again. Of course it will take time, but keep the faith and keep loving your pet. He knows your care and that will go a long way toward his recovery.

[akaangela]

Take a deep breath. You did right in getting him to the vet. Don't obsess about it. Keep close watch but don't bother him all the time. It is common for snakes not to eat for a while. He looks like he is fat enough that a few missed meals won't hurt him a bit. Good luck.

[Turbo Serpent]

Temps are definitely a little low. The basking spot should be around 90 - 95F and the hot side air temp should be around 85F while the cool side should be around 75F. Might want to bump the temps up a bit.

[pitbulls4me]

Also you said that the thermometer was stuck to the side of the tank, are they the analog type or digital? The digital ones work better with the little probe so you get more of an accurite temperature reading.

Poor guy! I hope he is feeling better soo! Fingers crossed here for a fast recovery!

[Soph]

Thank you all so much for your help and advice. It has been brilliant. I think its a good case for showing the difficulty and art of reptile handling!! I hope that this thread can help others by showing problems that can happen etc.

Humidity much better now but its difficult withought overhead light to get the air temp up, the surface temps are controlled at 80 degrees at hottest so that where he contacts the floor/side viv he doesn't burn. the viv is completley wooden with only glass doors at the front so heating primarily with mat under one side tank.

Have a bulb socket/cage in the tank but he climbs on it and so i don't use it as the metal cage over it gets too hot.

currently using digital thermometer and thermostat. I will put up some pics of the tank set-up soon so maybe someone can advise on how to increase the air temp and not the floor temp so he doesn't burn his belly again........

So HEALTH up date : he's been doing really well. the little swelling that was visible went down just after the antibiotics they really seemed to help ( i reckon any later and he may have developed serious infection to boot!!)

He's now eating regularly and very interested in everything, back to his attempts at escape artistry when hes out of the viv and active at night

He drinking (and peeing lots) which is good and enjoying regular baths in his bath bucket and in his bather in the tank and has SHED PERFECTLY. The new scales have shown some miraculous healing of the original wounds- there's a visible scar but i am so happy its improving as quick as it has (vet advised they can take a long while to heal)

Will take and post some pics soon so u can see the amazing recovery so far....

thanks you all again for you help