Strange injury.

[leakyfawcet]

I have a 2 1/2 year old BP, and just noticed what looks like some kind of burn right on and around the vent area. It could be possible that the burn was caused by some urine that was left unnoticed in one of the hides. Or maybe there could have been some complications shedding because I noticed it right after he shed yesterday. My question is: What is a good antiseptic to use to clean the wound? Also, what steps should I take to help heal it?

Thanks

[BuckeyeBalls]

Pics please

[bsash]

You should just rinse it off and put some Neosporin on it. The kind of Neosporin with out pain killers in it.

[leakyfawcet]

The wound is dry and it looks much worse for some reason in these pics...

[j_h_smith]

I hope these pictures are much, much worse than it really is, bscause that looks nasty. It does look bad, but if you don't think a vet visit is in order, I agree, Neosporin. Put the snake on paper towels until it is healed or at least scabbed over.

BTW, I would stop feeding or at the very least feed every other week at best. The wound needs to heal before the next shed, or you may be dealing with this wound for some time.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[dr del]

Hi,

The fact it is around the vent makes me think a vet would be a better idea to be honest.

I can't decide what it might be from those pics but if it is an infection it is important to find out if it is inside the vent.

Have you been breeding him to anything this year?

What kind of substrate do you use?


dr del

[leakyfawcet]

No, I don't breed him. He also hasn't eaten in about 4 months, but has shed twice in that time-frame. I actually noticed it right after his shed.

I use the "desert snow" substrate.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/tc-photos/11...ard/504532.jpg

Also, the wound is scabbed over and I did put some paper towels under his hides as to keep the area where he sits clean. The thing is I usually check on him at least once a week, but some family issues kind of distracted me for about a week. If only I noticed it sooner I could have prevented it. I'm thinking i fit doesn't get any better by the weekend I will be bringing "Slippy" to the vet...

[dr del]

Hi,

I would replace all his substrate with either paper towels or newspaper.

Can you double check the temps to make sure your thermostat isn't allowing temp spikes or anything?

The possible causes I can think of of the top of my head are burns ( look for faulty equipment and too high temps ), scale rot (check for wet or dirty substrate ) or infection - which could be cased by a number of things but could be internal coming out or external going in.

But either way the fact it is near the vent complicates things.

Hence the vet suggestion.


dr del

[j_h_smith]

That's a strange injury as you explained it. I can't see how it would have happened.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[leakyfawcet]

He does have a heat mat stuck to the bottom of his enclosure as well, but it never gets hot to the touch. I will unplug it as suggested.

Thanks for all the help guys. I'm going to keep an eye on it and if there isn't an improvement by the weekend I will bring him for his first visit to the vet.