BP belly scales: slightly brown, slightly flaky, but no redness or swelling

[Serpentine666]

Hello, all. I'm concerned about some brownish, flaky, sorta loose belly scales on my ball python, Esoteris.
I've had my lesser bee bp for almost two years now, and i haven't seen him develop anything like this before.
No, his is not my first snake; I've had over 5 different ball pythons in the past, and have dealt with scale rot in the past-- It doesn't really look like it to me, but then again, I've only seen bad cases, not the beginning stages. (rescued bps)
I will post pictures (should my computer let me... :l) please tell me what you all think it may be.

Let me give you all a briefing on the husbandry, as i'm sure you will want that as a sort of basis for any opinions.

He used to have Repticarpet, but i recently switched him to newspaper-- easier for everyone. Has a heat mat hooked up to a thermostat; it says the hot spot is around 89.2. I cant find my temp gun or i'd give an ambient air temp as well.
Esoteris has a really heavy ceramic type bowl, and has never been able to push it over so damp substrate isn't an issue. Decent sided log type hide over the hot spot, and a ceramic heater near the top of the water bowl to emit some humidity. His cage is a vision 211 i believe, though i think soon i'll switch to a simple tub. Unless i put a shirt over the front glass, he gets really active... But it could also be that he was just bred? (still lookin' for that snake pootang?) I dunno. He does try to commit suicide every night by jumping off the lipped ledge with a huge BANG (scares the crap outta me i tell ya h'what) but I've heard by multiple people that isn't a raise for concern... i guess its a personal thing.

Anyhooooo, he's always been a healthy as a whistle.
However, I did leave the state for a week, and when i came back, his newspaper substrate was heavily soiled with urine and fecal matter.
So it very well could be the beginning signs of scale rot, hence my post here.

But it doesn't have the swelling, redness, or inflammation of scale rot I'm used to seeing. They're dry, brownish, wrinkly, loose...? Can't really depict it with words very will, so i'll try to post some pics.
And if it is scale rot, any advice on nipping the bud before it gets worse?
I'm all for going to the vet, but i recently lost my job, have to ration out my money for the time-being. Any home remedies out there?
I heard neosporin would work, but i don't know how true that is, and would like to get multiple opinions on the matter-- thanks in advance guys.


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[anicatgirl]

Maaaybe Bump. Anyone seen this? Doesn't look like rot to me.

[dr del]

I'd say that should look fine after a shed.

[kitedemon]

To me it looks like the scales were scuffed and he has ink stuck in the scuffs. You might try a damp towel and actually see if it comes off. You are in a better place to judge that we ever will be from pictures. Does it look like it will come off?

Is there something abrasive like the edge of a plastic hide or the lip.

It doesn't look like scale rot to me, don't use polysporin it can soften the scales and compound the issue. 1% Betadine Solution and a 20 min soak would be a scale rot treatment, but I would not suggest it actually is scale rot.

I have two males that play the try to fit on the lip over the door and they too often fall off with a bang.

Unrelated topic, a IR gun, aka temp gun, cannot measure air temps. If it could it would be useless only measuring the temp of the air in the body of the gun in your hand. It only measures surface temps and even then does not accurately measure clear or translucent objects well. It is best used on dull (non glossy) medium dark objects (brown paper bag is the perfect emissivity). Metals as also often cause incorrect readings (and metal pigments in paints and plastics) too. They are a fantastic tool but as with all things the user needs to know the limitations of what they use.

[Albert Clark]

Based on the history of present illness, which includes the reptile being left for 1 week and then being found on heavily soiled substrate sounds suspicious to me. The scale breakdown is not severe but certainly it wouldn't hurt to clean it with a little diluted dawn dishwashing soap and a good rinse. See how and if it responds to that while keeping him on white unprinted paper towel substrate. Consider it a scale irritation and monitor the progression. If it gets worse , consider a herp vet. Peace.

[Serpentine666]

UPDATE: Esoteris has shed without a problem! it was indeed the news paper ink under the scuffed scales. Thanks everybody

[kitedemon]

Glad it was something simple!