skin problem or more?

[JasonL]

Scale rot and respiratory infections may both be caused by incorrect heating, even though it is a diamond, you do live in a cold area, just a thought. :wink: I would be offering the snake heating 24/7 to fasten it's recovery.

[nightowl]

Thanks Jason, I have had her in heat 24/7 since I bought her about 5 weeks ago. When I started her on Fortum for the RI I bumped the heat up from 28 (max) to 31 (max) for the Fortum to do its job.

I am thinking maybe the humidity was too great. I placed her water bowl under the heat source a little over a week ago when I noticed her eyes were milky, getting ready to shed. I don't have a hygrometer in there but maybe the increased heat and close water source made a little too much humidity? I have since moved the water bowl to the other end and lowered the heat a little, seeing she had her last Fortum injection on the 23rd and it should be through her now.

I just got some Iodine spray (skin & wound dressing) and will apply that followed by some Silvazine ointment and see how she goes.

Thanks
Shane

[JasonL]

Iv'e had a shingleback with scale rot, it took two years from first sign's to fully recovered. If it does turn out to be rot expect it to get worse before it gets better. The shingle was showing sign's of sickness (eating less, pain spasm's ect.) months before there was visual proof of what it was, It did not have a RI though, thankgod! Good luck!

[Slateman]

Originally Posted by nightowl

So the vet checked her out and seems to think it may be a dermatitis. He isn't experienced with reptiles and openly admits this so it could possibly be skin rot or blistering. The patch in the photo is worse now, with scales in the middle peeling off.

The vet suggests using an iodine spray but what disinfectant is best for snakes skin? They have an Iodine spray there that they use in surgery prepping. Would a betadine scrub be better? Maybe an F10 solution? anyone?

As I told you the Habitat desinfectant from Coopers is good

http://www.coopersanimalhealth.com.a...p?V_DOC_ID=772

You can use Iodine or betadine if you like, but Chlorhexidine is the best by my opinion. Hibitan have 4.5 % in.

You can buy it in produce , or farm stores

Your vet is right. I think that you have skin rot, Blister d. Your snake should start protecting him self by sheding the skin. Sheds will be more frequent now.

[Pythoninfinite]

I agree with Slateman - Chlorhexidine is a better disinfectant/wound cleaner than betadine. I've been told by my vet that the strong iodine content in betadine can be very corrosive and irritating on sensitive tissue. If it is scalerot, it is usually promoted by extended exposure to wet or damp substrates, and because it involves the full thickness of the skin it will take a long time to heal and will usually scar as well. As Slateman says, it will start shedding pretty frequently when it begins healing, but a full recovery is probable.

Jamie.

[nightowl]

this is why I don't understand how it is scale rot. Her enclosure is frequently cleaned and has dry newspaper substrate all the time. Plus, there is no bad spots on the ventral scales, it is all along the top and sides of her. The water bowl has been close to her heat source but only for about a week, while she was shedding.

Very weird...

[Slateman]

This infection is highly contages. I have it just by lending my male to somebody for breading. In 3 weeks this spread on another 3 snakes.
Don't blame your self, there is not always husbendary issue.
Mabe you handled infected animal and did not wash your hands.

[raptor]

Iodine would be fine

[Slateman]

Originally Posted by raptor

Iodine would be fine

Yes it is fine, just little more irritating for the snake.

[imported_Varanus]

Ditto from me Nightowl,

I'ts best not to use anything until your absolutely sure of the condition.

Should be a reliable vet in Canberra; well worth the trip i'd reckon!

Good luck, keep us posted.

Cheers,

Varanus.