reddish skin between scales

[dakski]

Zoo Med brand cage disinfectant - the active ingredient is Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride - I spray the bin and furnishings, let them sit for five minutes, then wipe them dry and rinse with plain water.

First, if you google (etc) Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride, you will find it's not the friendliest cleaner to animals, or humans.

I would stop using it.

Use F10SC Veterinary Cleaner, which I use 99% of the time, or chlorhexidine. Both are diluted (different ratios - so be careful), but a little goes a long way. The F10SC is specifically designed for use at vets and with animals, so it's very safe - when used appropriately/correct solution. Additionally, it makes me feel good cleaning with it because a) I have for years with no ill side effects and b) it doesn't kill on contact. To be fully effective it needs to sit on the surface for 5-10 minutes, depending on solution strength, to kill 99.9% of what it touches. This tells me it isn't incredibly toxic like a disinfectant that kills that amount of pathogens quickly (in seconds). Another advantage is that if you let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then wipe off, it leaves a small residue on the tank that helps protect and disinfect on an ongoing basis. Again, this tells me it's safe.

Here is a link to it at Reptile Basics, who I like and order from, but you can get it elsewhere.

https://www.reptilebasics.com/F10SC-100ml

A little goes a long way. I have 9 large tanks and go through 100ml every 6-12 months. Per 32oz water bottle, I use about 4ml. I believe the dose is 3-5ml per bottle, depending on how strong you want it. However, please read the directions and don't quote me on that.

Secondly, and most importantly, I think your snake will be ok. I cannot tell what the marks are, but that probably means it isn't too bad, whatever it is. If it was sepsis, I think your BP would be in much worse shape, or dead already.

Anecdotally, I had a massive infection 2 years ago and almost went septic. From my understanding, you don't just become septic. It's due to an underlying issue that's untreated. In humans this process can take a little time, probably much longer in reptiles, and believe me, I knew something was wrong well before I got to the hospital. Fever, chills, pains, etc. way before almost going septic.

Again, I am not a doctor or vet, but my guess is either an irritation from the disinfectant, or a combination of that and maybe rubbing on a ((sharp(er/ish)) surface that had residue. Either way, I think your snake will be fine.

I would definitely switch disinfectants.

Please keep us posted.