Scale Rot Protocol

This is a step-by-step guide on preparing basic first aid for a reptile with scale rot.

Supplies You Will Need:

• Betadine or Povidine Iodine

• Warm Water (Dechlorinated)

• Tupperware Container

• Towel or Paper Tails

• Optional but Recommended:

  • Dechra Miconahex Triz Wipes

  • Vetericyn Spray

Preparing the Soak

1. Put a small amount of water in an appropriately sized Tupperware container. This amount of water should be enough to soak the bottom half of the animal, but not enough that it can drown (regardless, they should be supervised to prevent this).

2. Add enough betadine or povidine iodine where the water becomes the color of weak sweet tea. Beradine and povidine iodine have a high safety margin, so a 1:10 betadine: water mixture is perfect if you want an exact dilution.

3. Add a towel or paper towels to the bottom of the Tupperware container to "soak up" the mixture -- this prevents the animal from drinking the mixture.

Adding the Reptile

• I highly suggest watching the animal while this soak occurs, as you do not want them to consume any solution.

• Soak the animal for at least 15 minutes. Make sure the water stays warm during this duration.

• For hard-to-reach areas that cannot be soaked, use a cotton swab to dab the dilute solution on the affected area(s).

Aftercare

• The soak itself has antimicrobial properties, but I like to add on the extra precautions to help the animal heal.

• The Decra wipes have antimicrobial, antifungal, and moisturizing aspects that can help the reptile heal and shed faster.

• Vetericyn Reptile Care is another option that will help add another layer of microbial protection and help with shedding.