Stuck Shed or Scale Rot?

[Wahoo92583]

Hello all,
Recently, I took my ball python to the vet for an exam (I have only had her for a week and a half) to ensure she is healthy. The vet said to put a little bit of mineral oil on her skin to assist with part of a stuck shed. So, I did. Now, I notice that occasionally when I handle her, afterwards, I will have some scales on my hand. Has anyone encountered this before? Is this part of the stuck shed coming off onto my hand OR a more serious issue? Should I be concerned?

[Jeremy78]

A picture is worth a thousand words.

[Wahoo92583]

IMAG0221 by Wahoo92583, on Flickr

[Jeremy78]

Of the snake .


Has the enclosure been kept clean/ dry?

[Wahoo92583]

IMAG0191 by Wahoo92583, on Flickr




IMAG0217 by Wahoo92583, on Flickr



IMAG0208 by Wahoo92583, on Flickr

[Wahoo92583]

Yes, the enclosure has been kept clean/dry.

[Maverick67]

a belly pick as well please

[Vypyrz]

Petroleum products cause that. Mineral oil, as well as, petroleum jelly based ointments such as Neosporin, Bacitracin, and Vaseline will cause the scales to flake. They should be back to normal in 1 or 2 sheds.

[Wahoo92583]

So, Vypyrz should I be concerned? And is it my understanding then that this is not scale rot, and simply a result of the mineral oil?

[SlitherinSisters]

Oh yikes, I've never read anything good about putting any sort of oil on your snake. My opinion would be to never put any sort of oil on her again. There's really no need. If you are having an issue with stuck shed you can soak your BP in an inch of luke warm water for about 10 minutes with a hand towel in the tub (a plastic tub). After 10 minutes or so you can gently run the towel down the snake and the shed should come off.

I can't see anything wrong with her skin in the pics. I'm thinking closer pics and belly pics just to be sure.

I've also never hear of scale rot on the side/top of the snake. It's usually just on the belly, though it can spread a bit to the side of the snake. Scale rot is pink and eventually gets infected.