Quote Originally Posted by StormSerpent View Post
1. He was a bit dehydrated when I first brought him home, he found his water dish and started drinking. My question is, I know that skin folds are a sign of dehyrdation, but is this in any direction? I have not noticed any vertically, just some horizontally when his body is curved.
Sounds like he's a bit underweight to me. Once he has a regular access to water and is on a gradually increasing and appropriate feeding schedule this will likely resolve itself. Since you are taking him in for a vet check, however, I would recommend a fecal float. It's not very expensive at all. You can either wait for him to pass some feces or have the vet do a vent wash to check for internal parasites that can affect his health and ability to gain/maintain a healthy weight range.

2. Respiratory Infection. I have seen him yawn twice in the 4 days he has been home, and just this past evening I saw him rubbing his face at an angle, but only in his "less explored" area of the cage. I have not heard any wheezing or popping nor mucus from his nose, but I am assuming respiratory infection none the less and he will be visiting the vet. I have already increased the temperature, is there anything else I can do to help him before I can get a scheduled vet appointment?
Stable temps, stable humidity, keep the tank out of direct sunlight and drafts. See a vet if there's a concern about an RI. A good herp experienced vet is your new best friend.

3. Now this is where I get really scared. He was climbing up one of the side walls as I was watching him and noticed a bit of reddish-tinge on his belly. I looked to my "Ball Python Manual" by de Vosjoli and found out that this was a symptom of necrotic dermatitis/scale rot. Is there anything to help with this? I will be talking to the vet about this as well.
A pinkish tinge is the first sign of a shed cycle. There's an excellent sticky here about that as well as what to do if a shed goes wrong. The beginning of scale rot is different but to a new keeper it can be hard to tell the stages apart. Again, since you are visiting the vet I'd have him/her check that as well. I would suggest you change your substrate though. That carpet you are using tends to be a breeding ground for bacteria and is very, very hard to keep clean for any time at all. If there's concerns about a belly condition putting the snake on a simple papertowel substrate is a good idea. Viva brand paper towels makes a great towel that is absorbent, pure white and soft as cloth.

4. As he is just a baby and just recently moved in, I have not attempted to feed him. I tried a small pinkie but gave up quickly as I figured all the stress would prevent him. My only problem that I will be changing some of the set-up (replacing the half-log hide with an identical cave, etc) and he will likely be going on very stressful medication/care, and now I am worried that he might not be all up to eating. Do I wait to change cage set-up? Do I feed him a couple of days before he might start treatment? I feel bad for this poor guy.
Make cage changes now and get that over with. Don't feed him close to a vet visit as you don't want a stress induced regurge (feed at least 48 hours before or skip the feeding). Even if he's a baby, as long as he's of decent weight and has access to water he'll be okay skipping one or two feedings. Speaking of feeding what prey and what feeding method was used successfully with this snake before you purchased it? Any idea of weight and length. That's helpful along with pictures of both the snake and your enclosure for him.

I know this is quite a lot of questions, and pictures would be a big help, but its late and pictures will be put up tomorrow in order to clear up some confusion.

Thanks a ton in advance,
Nic
Better you ask the questions Nic than you don't. Lots of questions is quite normal for a concerned and caring new owner. We've all been there and in the end, helping newcomers is a huge reason this site exits so no worries - keep asking.