For future use: I hope you got him to the vet. Although even for a slightly severe case my vet has always told me to do the same. Betadyne dilute bath 1x daily, put on newspaper or paper towel. Keep as dry as possible, and change the np or pt daily. I've dealt with a few scale rot cases with the rescues I take in. Including one right now that is one of the more severe cases. Antibiotics are only prescribed if there is no other option. They are pretty harsh on the system, and My vet likes to avoid using them if not absolutely needed. Mouth rot and scale rot is bacterial, or fungus and the treatment is the same for both, betadyne. I have a bottle of this handy at all times. That way you don't wait until it gets severe and you do end up needing abos. If you have more the 1 snake having a few select human things in your medicine cabinet really prevent against issues from becoming huge medical emergencies.