My corn snake has spots. Could it be scale rot? How do I treat it?

It doesn't look like rot, but looks can be deceiving.It could have been caused by some trauma or a rough shed. You should never pull a shed off. Let it fall off on its own or soak/mist to make it easier to shed. Monitor the spot for redness, swelling, discharge, bleeding or if it begins to spread. You can dab it gently using a cotton swab and a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution. If it doesn't improve, see your veterinarian.

This could be due to a scale rot, a superficial bacterial infection that can affect the skin. I would strongly recommend to immediately place Lenny with in a dry environment with dry substrate, good ventilation, and correct ambient temperature and humidity and then take him to your veterinarian for a check up to confirm this clinical suspicion and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

I think this may be a repetition of a previous question. This could be due to a bacterial or fungal infection causing scale rot. Swab the infected area with a diluted povidone-iodine solution twice daily. Scrape away the infected area gently with a blunt tool or a cotton pad. If this time of first line treatment does not help and you do not see any improvement in 48hours a check up at your local veterinarian would be required as antibiotic ointment and more aggressive treatment may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.

Possibilities include infection, parasites, burns or trauma (from a fall or bedding). Changing out the bedding was a smart move. Take it a step further and remove all cage furniture in case Erebus is climbing then falling. Confirm proper temperature and if you have a heat rock, remove it immediately. An exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles would be recommended to diagnose illness or injury.

I am sorry for the loss of your snakes. Ideally, Ivory should be physically examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet, especially in light of your recent losses. The spots could indicate infection (bacterial, fungal or even a viral condition). It is difficult to make a detrmination by looking at an image. In the meantime, clean and sanitize all the enclosures, bowls, hides and tank furniture. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Wash your hands thoroughly between handling each snake. Confirm, again if necessary, proper environmental parameters. Low temps can lead to stress which may predispose a snake to infection or illness. High humidity can foster bacterial or fungal overgrowth. Consider using paper towels as substrate until the issue is resolved. Change them daily to maintain clean conditions.

Mild scale rot can be managed at home by controlling humidity and treating the affected area topically. Keep the enclosure and substrate dry and provide adequate ventilation. Use a diluted betadine solution to gently clean the affected area once or twice daily. Dry thoroughly afterwards. A dab of a triple antibiotic ointment or silvadene cream can be applied after each cleaning. More serious rot or rot that does not respond to conservative treatment should be addressed by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.

Hello. Yes, I would advise having your snake seen before the area becomes significantly infected. We have many treatments to treat wounds in snakes, many of which you may need to continue at home. It is best to have this looked at soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.