BP "check up" and tank cleaningquestion

[tuggernuts]

Hi all, I was browsing on here last night and saw some threads about belly/scale rot and mouth rot. I'm not at all worried that my snake might have any of these issues, but I want to be educated about them. What are some of the signs/symptoms of belly rot? I know it is caused by the snake laying in an overly humid/wet enclosure, but what do the early stages look like? I am also not sure what mouth rot would look like. How do I check for it? I have never attempted to hold my BP by the head and open his mouth, so I do not know the proper technique that would be safe and painless for the snake.

Tank cleaning is my other question, what cleaner should I use when I do a thorough cleaning? I have heard people mention chlorhexadine, but I was unable to find it at a store (walmart pharmacy). How often should I be doing a complete tank cleaning with cleaner? I do not know the weight of my bp in grams or pounds, but he is about 4 months old and approximately 20 inches at healthy size in a ten gallon glass tank, if that makes a difference. for substrate i use paper towels and a thin layer of aspen snake shavings

[tuggernuts]

anyone?

[Oxylepy]

Oh walmart won't have cholorohexadine.

Go to any animal supply stores (if there are farms near you), otherwise look around online, or you could spend 30$ on it here:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/Chlorhe...n-p-16138.html

Personally I dislike the pump dispenser (it likes to drip).

As for scale rot:

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...archid=1015908

look through those threads.

As for length vs tank size the tank size should be no less than 1/2 his length (not in gallons but in length)

As for general care:

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

[psycho]

Hey there well scale rot it is actually from humid/wet areas...the signs of these r the snakes skin loOks & feels rough...you can prevent this by only spraying when is in shed or low humidity...mouth rot can be cause by debris getting stuck between the gums & teeth of the snake...such as bedding...& you usually see white stuff coming out of the snakes mouth its gonna be obvious no need to open the snakes mouth...

[psycho]

About the tank you can clean it with Wipe Out 1 they usually sell it at PetCo or Petsmart for like $8 or some petshops...it disinfects pretty well I recommend it...it kills salmonella on contact & can reduce the spread of bacteria...the tank should do fine for now but you should upgrade it to a bigger one soon like 20 gallons shall do fine until he's an adult...

[psycho]

Forgot to mention about every when to clean ur tank...well you can clean everytime there's feces or urates...but u should disinfect the entire enclosure at least once a month so bacteria won't spread some people like to wait 2 months its upto you...

[Oxylepy]

This is why tubs are so nice. Move the snake and disinfect the tub, then every month disinfect the rack.

[tuggernuts]

i am working on a very tight budget, what would be the most inexpensive cleaner to use?

[DrLew]

i am working on a very tight budget, what would be the most inexpensive cleaner to use?

If you have a tight budget, then you probably shouldn't keep snakes......

[tuggernuts]

If you have a tight budget, then you probably shouldn't keep snakes......

i have one snake and take care of him very well, i always make sure i do everything i can to make sure he is taken care of perfectly. youre right, I dont have money to take care of 16 snakes or however many u have, so i have one. I havent skimped on any care/husbandry supplies. im in college and im looking to save a few dollars where i can, sorry if i cant afford a gallon of $30 cleaner. I was asking because i thought there might be a more economical alternative that i could buy from a grocery store or pharmacy. Its obvious you have no interest in helping me, so please do not post in this thread unless you have something constructive to add.