Ulcerative dermatitis (scale rot) from moist, contaminated bedding in reptiles
Verbatim first-hand facts from The Merck Veterinary Manual (reptile). All bullets are exact substrings of the cited source file and C1-substring verified. Focus: toxicosis and environmental hazards of the pet species.
Toxicology facts
- Ulcerative dermatitis (scale rot) occurs in snakes and lizards kept in unhygienic conditions with excessive humidity and moisture. Moist, contaminated bedding allows bacterial and fungal growth that, when coupled with exposure to fecal degradation products and skin damage from inappropriate floor heating, can predispose snakes and lizards to small cutaneous erosions. Secondary infection with Aeromonas spp, Pseudomonas spp, and a number of other bacteria may result in septicemia and death if untreated.