Female het piebald arrived today. Inspection shows what I believe is "scale rot". I've searched the internet and read one account that it is fungal and another account that it should be treated with neosporin. These seem contradictory, considering neosporin is an antibiotic. Should I use neosporin, lotramin, or just leave it alone and see how it looks after her next shed? Thanks in advance.
Paul
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Is this "scale rot" on ball python belly?
PiedPeddler
Sep 30, 2003 04:07 PM
Replies (1)
jfmoore
Sep 30, 2003 05:08 PM
It might be necrotizing dermatitis (“scale rot”) caused by lying in wet, unhygienic conditions. It might be a burn from a too-hot heat source. It could be from something else. From your photo, it appears to be on its way to healing. Topical application of an anti-bacterial ointment certainly wouldn’t hurt, even if it didn't help all that much.
I’d suggest keeping the snake on a plain paper substrate which is kept scrupulously dry and clean. After its next shed it will probably appear completely healed. If it isn’t, or if it gets worse before its next shed, then you should seek a herp-knowledgeable vet’s care.
-Joan
