My ball python is sick

[jessssssica]

so I have two ball pythons a young one, only a year old and an adult i was given a year ago. the big one is about 5 feet and has been great till a few months ago he was not eating, he finally ate and kept it down for about 2 weeks and then just throw it up. i cleaned his entire tank and i read somewhere you could use news paper as bedding, so i wasnt sure if he had mites or anything so i took his old stuff out like the wood home he has and also the peice of wood he laid on. i put news paper and a new water bowl and new home. i kept the temps good and made sure i didnt see any mites. when its time to shed i let my snakes alone. so letting him go for about 5 days he managed to get the news paper wet under his home. so i think what has happpened is some how under his belly is wet and has gotten an infection it is brown and smells not so great i gave him a bath as if he was having a rough shed and let him slither through my hand with a damp towel around it. some under skin came off and showed a red irratation. i am beyond upset. i have always made sure my snakes were happy and treated well with the snake i bought, he has been fine and freindly. the big one i got as a rescure has always been friendly till now he now is struggling to use the end of his tail. could i possibly help him after what i have done. idk how he got sick in the first place and caused him to not eat and now i managed to give him an infection. will he have to be put down. please help!

[2kdime]

HEs got scale rot and needs to be seen by a vet

You will likely be prescribed antibiotics depending on how bad the infection is as well as need to give Chlorhexidine baths and the application of an antibiotic cream.

[jessssssica]

i can't seem to find a vet to take him into for a few days what could i do right now to help him out for the time being

[LeviBP]

i can't seem to find a vet to take him into for a few days what could i do right now to help him out for the time being

I would go to a local reputable pet shop, one that specializes in reptiles would be best, and pick up some cream, and maybe some substances to wash him in.

[llovelace]

Keep him on newspaper or paper towels, soak him in a tub with diluted betadine solution, apply regular neosporin cream. do this every other day until you can get him to a vet

[jessssssica]

It is too the point where the sccales are pealing off, now when i soaked him, i was drying him off. do i help him remove that extra scales that are brown....