Spilotes pullatus cloaca problem- help and advice please!!

[Will0W783]

Hi guys,

I bought a tiger ratsnake (Spilotes pullatus) at a show. It was on eco-sand at the show. When I got it home and took it out of the snake bag it was in, I noticed the cloaca was open and pale. There appeared to be sand all over it, and the scales around it didn't look too good- the snake could not close its cloaca. I didn't notice redness or discharge, but it looks AWFUL and there is a strong odor coming from it. I emailed the seller who told me he'd work with me. I want to know what I should do for this poor guy. I soaked him in warm water in the tub and he drank and drank and drank. I noticed scales and such coming off of him, but didn't find mites. I am going to soak him again, but I am wondering what I can do to clean his cloaca out. Can I use a q-tip to swab in there, or a sterile snake probe to try to scrape it out? I have antibiotic ointment (I think teramycin)- should I put that on it? I am going to feed him tomorrow and watch him to see if he can defecate. I have no idea if it is infected or just has sand inside- it just looks nasty. I took a picture which I've attached- it isn't the best but does show how it can't close to cloaca. I have the snake in a 55-gallon tank with white paper towels, in quarantine. I have a vet close by I trust that I can take him to if I need to.