ANOTHER scale rot thread!

[Madilyn]

Hi everyone,
today I purchased a young bumblebee bp with scale rot (yeah yeah I know, maybe not the best idea but I felt bad for the little girl and she was pretty adorable). Apparently she had previously been in a tank with that was flooded on the bottom by some idiot who thought she was a water moccasin or something. The woman working in the reptile section who has a few bp's herself said that she was on the mend and should be kept in Aspen substrate and after a few shed's would be all better. HOWEVER, after doing more research on the subject of scale rot, I've found that more is supposed to be done. For now we have her in a 20 gallon tank with paper towels for substrate, a hide, and a water dish, as well as some moss to keep the humidity at the right level. From what I can tell I should rinse her, dry her, use chlorhexidine gluconate to clean the area, and then put neosporin (if any off this is wrong or bad for the snake PLEASE LET ME KNOW IMMEDIATELY). Other than that information I found out that I would like some reassurance on, what I really need to know about is the Chlorhexidine Gluconate. The kind I purchased is pink and 4% unlike the blue 2% that I've heard people prefer. Is this going to be okay to use and how much should I dilute it? I'm not going to do anything with it for now so that I don't do more damage or injure her. Short of all of this, if she doesn't get better by the end of her next shed we're going to take her to the vet to get their opinion.

Any help or advice would be GREATLY appreciated. I want to get this girl back to full health.

[chrid16371]

I won't be any help with the scale rot bc I haven't had to deal with it. Idk if you have been keeping bp for awhile or if this is your first. I just see your new to this forum and if your new to bp you should take a look at the care sheet sticky and make sure you have your temps and everything in order. Make sure you have a thermostat to regulate your heat devices. 90-92 hot side 80-82 cool side. Humidity 50%-60% and raise to 70% for shed. I also see you said you have a hide, Make sure you have 2 identical hides one for the hot side and one for cool. Sorry I was no help for the scale rot but trying to help make sure your husbandry is in check. The care sheet is really a lot of help. Good luck!

[KMG]

Pics would be helpful to make sure it's scale rot and not a burn or something esle.

[Madilyn]

Thank you for the info Chrid, we already have a bp and their tanks are all up to the caresheet specs but that is a very handy item.

Here are some pics, it's hard to tell in these but the scales are pretty flaky, also as you can see her underside is quite red.

[KMG]

I'm on my phone but that looks more burn like than scale rot to me.

I would put it on paper towels and get its husbandry spot on. I don't think it looks bad enough for a vet visit but if you have any puss pockets or fluid discharge a vet would probably be a good idea.

If not, giving it a proper setup and a few sheds should get it back to good.

[Madilyn]

Thank you! No puss pockets or discharge so far but we'll definitely keep an eye out and ensure we keep the husbandry up to par!