Hello there!
About a month ago I noticed some spots in my snake. I didn’t think much of it until they started to be more noticeable. I researched quickly and concluded he had scale rot. I immediately deep cleaned his whole cage and then gave him a betadine bath for a half hour. This seemed to help so I monitored him. However, it seemed to be getting worse, so I bought Vetricyn spray to help clear them up. I have been spraying him 2-3 times every day since Monday (5/21). It doesn’t seem to be getting any better. I did conclude that some of the dark spots was just dirt that he got stuck on him (he likes to squiggle around in his substrate). I am getting worried because it doesn’t seem to be clearing up. Upon more research, people said the rot went away after their snakes shed. Is that what is supposed to happen? He also didn’t eat this week or last week.
If anyone could please give me any tips, advice, or peace of mind please do! I don’t have the money right now to go to some expensive doctor (I will save if need be) and I don’t want to have to wait super long to get him proper treatment.
Thank you so much!!
TL;DR - tips for a snake with scale tot that is being treated with Vetricyn
Edit: here are some photos for those who were asking
If you’re already using betadine and other home remedies and it’s getting worse I really would recommend you bring them to the vet.
If they’re going to shed any day then maybe wait and see, but especially if they’re normally a good eater and now they aren’t? That’s not a good sign. It could be something like septicemia and there’s a larger infection that needs to be treated.
I agree fully with @armiyana - if the spots are getting worse or behavior or appetite is in any way abnormal then it would definitely be time to get him to a vet specializing in reptiles at the very least.
I have only dealt with scale rot on 3 rescue ball pythons I took in, but every other day soaks in betadine + water plus vetricin cleared up their issue (scale rot was completely gone as soon as they shed. So, if you don’t see at least some type of improvement by now, it’s a good idea to get him to the vet.
Do you happen to have any photos from when you first noticed the scale rot and then current photos?
You probably corrected for any husbandry issues that could have caused the scale rot, but I figured I’d mention it anyway. Of course the cause could be something other than husbandry, but always good to have all bases covered.
Please keep us updated. Fingers crossed for a quick, full recovery!
I agree with all the advice given thus far by @armiyana & @gina5678, however photos of the areas in question would be helpful to confirm it is indeed scale rot and how severe. I’d also like to ask what you’re using for substrate, what are your warm & cool side temperatures, and what is the humidity level of the enclosure?
I called the place where I got him from and they are super good at all this stuff. They said to add a heating pad to one side of his cage and turn up the heat on the other side, which I have done. I’ll give him soaks every other day and keep up with the vetricin. I did only start daily treatment on Monday, and he is due for a shed. I’m gonna wait another week (?) and see if it starts to clear up. Thank you so so so much
I can get some photos asap. I was told by the animal place I called to turn up his cool side to 75/80 and the warm side to 85+. I made the adjustments for that. I don’t have something to check his humidity, but I have been spraying every day in the mornings and at night.
If it is truly scale rot, which I am not completely convinced of yet, then that would be the reason. The only reason you should need to spray is if you live in a super arid climate or need to water plants, and even then pouring water directly around the plants is more efficient. Just provide a humid hide and you should be fine.
What were the temps before then?
Also I would not have his hot side more than 85. The hot spot/basking spot can be up to 88. Anything more and you’re risking a burn or causing neurological damage
As @logar mentioned, if it is scale rot, it’s because you’re keeping things far too wet. There’s almost no reason to add moisture to a corn snake enclosure unless you have evaporation issues due to heating methods. A humid hide with damp (not wet) sphagnum moss is fine.
What substrate are you using?
I also agree with @armiyana on the temps. If they were below that, the moisture combined with lower temperatures wasn’t doing him any favors.
I’d suggest removing whatever substrate you currently have and putting him on paper towels until the scale rot clears up. You don’t want anything causing further irritation and you want to keep him as clean as possible.
@kj06 As long as you keep a bowl with fresh clean water in your snake’s enclosure that is plenty of moisture unless it has trouble shedding. Corn snakes are very hardy but too much moisture creates havoc for any snake……
If the substrate is moist or wet that’s a problem combined with low temps. Corn snakes are one of the easiest snakes to care for so your husbandry must be way off……
Okay, so those photos don’t really scream scale rot, we’re going to need more info. Can you get a photo or two of the enclosure? I’ve asked several times but I don’t think you’ve answered, what substrate were you using before the paper towel? Does your snake climb frequently? Also, warm side temp should not be above 85ºF, the basking spot can be 88, but you don’t want the whole side that high. How are you measuring your temperatures?
While it does appear to be a bit of scale rot on the belly, I am more concerned about what is going on with his sides/top. That doesn’t appear to be scale rot. While I don’t know what it is, it looks to be pretty severe and I think a vet is the only option for actually making sure he gets everything figured out.
Given that you said the Vetricyn doesn’t seem to be helping, I would stop using it to see how it progresses. But something you can do now is give him a bath in 80-85 degree water (27-29 Celsius) for 25 minutes a day. Put him in for 5 minutes so he can drink then add in betadine. If anything, it should at least make sure he stays hydrated. It should also keep the stress down a bit more as pulling him out multiple times every single day will not help with recovery
thank you so so much. I think what is on his sides and top of his head might actually be dirt stuck under his scales. he has been digging around in his dirt a LOT and some of those black spots I have been able to just brush it off.
So I have him in a big plastic tub right now, with a water dish, two hides, and paper towel as substrate. The substrate before was Zilla Jungle Mix. He does climb a lot. Will wedge himself in the space between the lid of his cage and the actual cage and just sit (whenever I see it I take him down). I have the warm side with a heating pad (it’s getting too hot to not be cool) and is around 88 (want to try to find one that I can adjust, if needed) The cool side I have with a lamp I can adjust and I’m keeping it at 75. I’m measuring my temperature with two thermoaters I got at my reptile store on each side. Thank you so much for all your help and sorry for not answering you’re questions sooner. I hope this answers them.
So this is where the damage to his scales is coming from, I don’t think it’s scale rot. I’ve got a few who do this and they end up with the same kind of bent/broken scales. Now the discoloration is concerning, but that could be healing bruising or just discoloration from substrate.
As @armiyana said, you absolutely should not be using a heating pad without a properly set up thermostat and probe. Probe goes between the mat and the enclosure, mat always on the outside of the enclosure. I’d suggest purchasing an infrared thermometer to be able to spot check areas.
Edit: Okay, thermostats is what is suggested. I assume they’re ones you can set temperatures?
I know you guys were the ones who had asked if I had any