infection :(

[darwin]

Ok, I've had to have a friend of mine take care of my ball python for a while (couldn't have him in my apartment). Anyway, he called me up and told me that there was a problem, some sort of infection on his stomach. my friend brought my ball back to me (still not supposed to have him here)...

there is a long "infection" running along his stomach. he's in the process of shedding so there are chunks of um.... "snake" (skin and other hard stuff) coming off. He's keeping that part of himself off the bottom of the tank as much as possible.

- the tank was emptied and newspaper was put down
- it was noticed a week ago.
- the reptile store here said to get betadine, so I got a tube of it and smeared some on as much of it as I could get to

my question is, am I doing this right? there was also liquid betadine but I got the tube instead (wasn't sure if dipping him in would be better). I've looked around and haven't been able to find much. Please help, this is the first time I've had to deal with a "problem" with a snake :-\

[WeLsH]

Re:infection

Hey welcome to the forums. To me it sounds like scale rott(belly rott) Snakes can get this if there subsrtate is wet. I would clean it with Hydrogen proxide, and then put some polysporin on it three times a day. It might come off with the shed, but if its mad enough, and is deep into the skin you should see a vet ASAP! Hope someone else responds to this.

[___LEE___]

Re:infection

I would say get him to the vet not worth waiting at all and see what the vet can do with that and i agree with welsh on the belly rott situation is there any way we can get a pic of it?? would help out alot and i know when steve reads this he will ask the same but besides that this snake is in need of some medical attention so don't waste no time and get him to the vet especially if parts of the actual snake (not skin) is coming off!! definately get him to the vet and make sure it is one that is really knowledgeable on reptiles and so forth i know it is hard to find one nowadays because more people are dog and cat lovers but he needs some attention i am sure everyone here will agree .

LEE

man 400 posts already man lol before u know it i will be up there with steve on posts or clay lmao!!

[darwin]

Re:infection

ok, thank you guys, I unfortunatly don't have a digital camera anymore. the chunks that came off were a mixture of skin, blood/scab, and other contaminants. I'm going to try to find a vet tomorow

[___LEE___]

Re:infection

very good darwin i would hate to read that it had died cuz of no medical attention that is why i said don't waste no time at all and get him some.

LEE

[WeLsH]

Re:infection

Yea I wish you the best with your snake!

[sclark]

Re:infection

Hello Darwin,

Welcome to the forum..

From what you described, it sounds like belly rot or a burn.. I suggest you make a 50/50 mix of peroxiod, clean the affected area, put some neosporin on it, make sure his house is changed to clean white paper towels.. Get hm to a vet as soon as you can.. Just to make sure there is no infection.. He may need antibotics..

Good luck and keep us posted..

Steve

[sclark]

Re:infection

Wanted to add... Make sure you get a Neosporin without any pain meds.. Just to old normal type..

Steve