Question on scale rot treatment

[strife982]

I just looked at one of my ball pythons and noticed she has a mild case of scale rot. I read about treatment and it said to use neosporin but not the pain relieving kind. As i looked through my house all I could find was the pain relieving kind. So my question is has anyone ever used this kind on their ball python and why is it not ok to use?

[JeffJ]

I just looked at one of my ball pythons and noticed she has a mild case of scale rot. I read about treatment and it said to use neosporin but not the pain relieving kind. As i looked through my house all I could find was the pain relieving kind. So my question is has anyone ever used this kind on their ball python and why is it not ok to use?

it needs to see a vet as it should get an antibiotic shot. its a bacterial infection. it can turn into an open wound thats a mess, hard to treat and deadly if not taken care of correctly. after the vet gives it a shot. treatment with topical cream is the next step. your correct.

the pain relieving kind is toxic to the python DO NOT use it under any circumstances or desperation.

[Goodwin]

I have experienced this recently also....the kind with pain relief seems to be too strong and I found from MY personal experience it dosent work as well...it seems like it creates a more RAW look to the wound...This is what I did..... I started by soaking my snake once a day in a Betadine Iodine solution for about 10 mins a day (make the color of the solution look like a medium cup of tea) This is just to cleanse the infected area. Then apply some topical ointment such as non medicated polysporin or somthing similar....cleaned my girl up in a week or so....when she shed, she was back to normal. THIS IS NOT THE "GOSPEL"...ITS WHAT WORKED FOR ME!!

[JeffJ]

I have experienced this recently also....the kind with pain relief seems to be too strong and I found from MY personal experience it dosent work as well...it seems like it creates a more RAW look to the wound...This is what I did..... I started by soaking my snake once a day in a Betadine Iodine solution for about 10 mins a day (make the color of the solution look like a medium cup of tea) This is just to cleanse the infected area. Then apply some topical ointment such as non medicated polysporin or somthing similar....cleaned my girl up in a week or so....when she shed, she was back to normal. THIS IS NOT THE "GOSPEL"...ITS WHAT WORKED FOR ME!!

it makes the wound more irritated because its toxic to the snake. research and consultation of a professional vet or handler is MANDATORY before you start treating anything on your snake.

[strife982]

Thanks for the advice I'm going to the store now to buy the non-pain relieving atibiotic and some Betadine Iodine. Hopefully that works. It is only just started and not blistering yet and the rot is only visible on a few scales.

[JeffJ]

Thanks for the advice I'm going to the store now to buy the non-pain relieving atibiotic and some Betadine Iodine. Hopefully that works. It is only just started and not blistering yet and the rot is only visible on a few scales.

if it gets worse at all a vet visit is in order and a must.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Depending on the extent of the problem veterinary care might be required as infection could set in and anti-biotic treatment might be required.

As far as what you can do while waiting for a vet appointment or if it is a minor case here it goes

Clean up your enclosure remove your substrate and replace it by clean paper towel.
Clean the area with betadine and apply a triple anti-biotic ointment as needed.
Make sure the enclosure stays clean and not damp.

If you do not see any amelioration take your animal to a vet.

[JeffJ]

Depending on the extent of the problem veterinary care might be required as infection could set in and anti-biotic treatment might be required.

As far as what you can do while waiting for a vet appointment or if it is a minor case here it goes

Clean up your enclosure remove your substrate and replace it by clean paper towel.
Clean the area with betadine and apply a triple anti-biotic ointment as needed.
Make sure the enclosure stays clean and not damp.

If you do not see any amelioration take your animal to a vet.

should the water bowl be removed for an acute case?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

should the water bowl be removed for an acute case?

If the snake can and will soak in it I would replace it by a smaller bowl in which the snake cannot soak in.

[Skiploder]

I just looked at one of my ball pythons and noticed she has a mild case of scale rot. I read about treatment and it said to use neosporin but not the pain relieving kind. As i looked through my house all I could find was the pain relieving kind. So my question is has anyone ever used this kind on their ball python and why is it not ok to use?

I had issues using the regular neosporin on one of my snakes.

After taking the animal to the vet, I was told that the petroleum base in neosporin can cause adverse issues with the scales and shedding.

I use water-based silvadene which works better and doesn't cause the scale damage the petroleum based ointments can potentially inflict.