Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

When I adopted my BP some years back, he was badly burned from a "hot rock", though he healed up well over time and resumed a healthy life. He's gone off feed from time to time, which I've learned is not entirely common. It's otherwise been a completely uneventful and healthy number of years since. However, it's been a few months since he's accepted food, and now I've noticed what might be 'scale rot' on his underside and perhaps his nose:

He's currently in a 55 gallon long tank with a pro-heat infrared heat panel on the roof of the cage. Temps range from 80-90-95 depending on the section of the tank, humidity is usually at 60. Three hide boxes and a medium water bowl. Up until today I have been using a commercial reptile substrate, though until this clears up I am using clean newsprint (no ink). The cage didn't seem particularly unclean, nor was there any perceivable odor. I am wondering if the extensive burning on his underside is making him more vulnerable to skin problems?

Can anyone help me identify the problem and point me towards a remedy?

thank you,

~Paul

Hi Paul,
I have kept ball pythons for many years and am a veterinary student presently.
After searching the books, your pic greatly resembles a condition called septicemia (a wide-spread bacterial infection which outwardly causes spotting/scabbing on ventrals).
Fungal infections can manifest this way as well, this is why a vet may need to do a culture for correct treatment plan.
*You could apply a harmless, DAILY, liberal rub-down with betadine lotion to the affected areas. If it's an epidermal fungal infection, that may clear it up in a few weeks.
Those earlier hot rock burns may be how the pathogens were introduced. He's likely had this infection in his system a while. Left untreated, it only becomes more noticeable. If no improvement is seen in a few days, please have him looked at by a vet who specializes in treating reptiles.
Sorry I can't suggest a more precise treatment plan, other than doing a culture/sensitivity test and an increase in cage temp. Keep tabs on the humidity level too. If it's fungal, you want to keep the cage on the dry side. Good luck!

I had no internet connection shortly after made the first post- sorry for the late reply. I greatly appreciate your help, thank you! I've purchased a povidone iodine ointment (USDP 10%), it seems to have the same active ingredients as the liquid betadine. Hopefully I made the right choice, as liquids repel too easily off the scales and would seemingly be less effective. Please let me know if I've made a mistake in this decision.

Once I took the substrate out the humidity dropped right down, fortunately.

One possible "fly in the ointment"... he's started the early stages of shedding (milky eyes, dull color, etc). He hasn't eaten in a while, I wonder if this is connected to his skin problems. Will this complicate things? I tend to not handle him during this phase, and I am guessing from the low humidity I might expect a poor shedding. Should I keep applying the ointment, or wait until he's competed shedding?

many thanks!

~Paul

I got about three or four applications on him, and this morning he had started his shed (a little sooner than I had expected, perhaps by 2-3 days). I waited until it got past his eyes, gave him a 3 minute room temperature soak, dried him off and then I helped the rest of it off. There were some patchy areas, but it otherwise exceeded my expectations. I would say the damage is 90% gone.

I am going to continue applying the ointment until I am convinced it has cleared up. The label said it should not be ingested- so I am being very attentive with fresh water, as I know he occasionally goes over his water bowl and could potentially get some of the ointment in there.

Many thanks, skyserpent, I really appreciate your advice, he's looking much better. I am hoping this improves his appetite.