Ball Python loosing scales

[Skiploder]

I think you are supposed to use cream based aren't you???

Anything with a petroleum jelly base will do this.

Our vet claims she sees a lot of snakes in for remedies recommended on the web:

- Neopsorin on external wounds causing flaky scales.
- Eye injuries due to tape applied to eyes to remove retained spectacles.
- Incorrect home dosing of antibiotics and anti-parasite meds.

[rabernet]

well, before yesterday I was using aspen bedding....cage is cleaned weekly and spot cleaned when they deficate. Now they have white paper towels lining the base of the tanks.

I have applied neosporin recently, do you think that is what is causing this???? It isn't retained shed because I inspect the snakes after they shed just for that very reson and to make sure the tail tip came off easily.

Yes, it's causing the outer layers of the scales to slough off. Not going to hurt your snake, a pain in the ass to clean off your enclosure, but after its next shed will be fine!

Neosporin, olive oil (some people use for mites), etc, do cause this - and it is something that will freak you out if you've not seen it before.

[rabernet]

I think you are supposed to use cream based aren't you???

Neosporin without pain reliever has some oils in it.

[twistedtails]

Neosporin without pain reliever has some oils in it.

The cream based neosporin was recommended to me by a reputable breeder. Is this a bad recommendation all togeher? Cream based also??? Or is the cream based Neosporin ok?

[Skiploder]

The cream based neosporin was recommended to me by a reputable breeder. Is this a bad recommendation all togeher? Cream based also??? Or is the cream based Neosporin ok?

It's got mineral oil and white petrolatum in it. These are the causative agents in shedding the outer layers of the scales.

[Core3lement]

Ok, so if the neosporin is what is causing the premature shedding of scales is there something I can use if I notice scale rot?, Like something I can pick up at the neighborhood drugstore for my ball python.