Mild Burn...

[Skittles1101]

To start this off, NONE of my snakes have burns.

On another site I was just chewed for giving advice on a mild burn. From what it sounds it is just the pinkish/brown line down the stomach...no blood or rawness. Also, no pictures. I was curious what you guys would give for advice on a mild burn? Mine was:

"With the possible burn (you should be regulating any UTH with a thermostat for any and all of your snakes....) keeping him on newpaper is best, change it out if it gets soiled or wet. You can use regular neosporin (the regular NOT the one with painkiller) on the burn 2-3 times a day until his next shed. IF the burn is better after he sheds you should be all set, if it does not get any better or appears worse a vet trip will be needed."

I've seen this advice quite a few times on here to think this was an okay at-home method for treating a mild burn. I was then told NEVER put a pertoleum based ointment on a burn! (Exact words) This person suggested Sulfadene. I have been under the impression that the regular Neosporin works well for mild burns along with minor injuries. Please correct me if I am wrong so I can stop giving that advice lol.

[FatBoy]

The only problem I see is the possible severity of the burn. A mild burn to the OP may be a serious burn to the animal. Without seeing pics and taking for granted that it is just a mild burn, I think your advise was very appropriate.

[Skittles1101]

The only problem I see is the possible severity of the burn. A mild burn to the OP may be a serious burn to the animal. Without seeing pics and taking for granted that it is just a mild burn, I think your advise was very appropriate.

Thank you, the OP didn't mention "mild" per se. He described it as "my snake I think has a possible burn, it's a pinkish/brown line down his stomach, no blood and no puffiness", I've never seen burns in person only from experience on here and pictures and friends, but it sounded to me like a mild burn. I agree pictures would definitely be more helpful, which is why I said "for a mild burn do this" kind of thing. I had never heard that petroleum based ointment on a mild burn was a NO-NO, which is why I wanted to ask here because I trust you guys more than anything and I wanted to make sure I wasn't giving out bad advice.

[kitedemon]

Advise is a problematic, if it is like you found injury advise I usually add I am not a vet and give references as to where the information is coming from. If some one has issues with the advise you give there is a reference to back it up. Just like a paper in university.

Personally what you have said aligns to what I have read (j Rossie sp? what is wrong with my snake) although I do not have the book in front of me it is just my memory.

The other end of the equation some snakes get crazy pink going into a shed and more than once here and on other forums have many jumped on, it is a burn, and proceeded with all kinds of advise only to find out there was no burn. I always try to find out if the OP has had temps or some failure that can lead to a burn if the op is regulating and everything seems fine and there is no vector that is obvious for a burn and it is described as mild it might not be at all.
Alex

[Cendalla]

Never put a pertoleum based ointment on a burn? Well, I guess if it was raw and weeping or split open. But I thought that was fine for an irritation level burn (little bit of a tender pink). You didn't come across sounding like the absolute authority and you stated for mild. So now I'm lost too.

Whats the answer all you vet and vet techs out there? I wanna know!

[snakesRkewl]

Without pictures I would hesitate to give advise on treating a burn.

[kitedemon]

I just got home after work and picked up the Rossi book, on burns


... "The second step [first find and resolve the cause of the burn] is to apply topical antibiotic ointment (such as polysporin, Silvadene cream 1%, or betadine) to the lesions once daily for a period of three to four weeks. In many cases, it is advisable to allow the snake to soak in a povidone-iodine solution for thirty minutes per day prior to applying the ointment" ...

Ref. Dr J. Rossi, DVM, MA and R. Rossi "What's Wrong with My Snake" 2006 AVS pub

They go on to speak about injectables in more acute cases.

It is a direct quote from a respected book by a DMV and MA in zoology. It is also a direct quote my information is up for speculation as I am not an expert but quotes from recognized sources are harder to contradict. People will, but it isn't your info it is repeating info from a book that the op may or may not have access to. It is in fact one of the books my herp vet recommends and uses.

[Cendalla]

Ref. Dr J. Rossi, DVM, MA and R. Rossi "What's Wrong with My Snake" 2006 AVS pub

What does the cover look like? I'm trying to find it but not sure which I should get. Are they different? or just different printings? Thanks!

[Skittles1101]

Thank you all for your feedback. I wanted to make sure I was not giving out bad advice.

[Jason Bowden]

Don't take a "chew out" on a forum too badly. I've stated things wrong on forums in the past and gotten "chewed out". I think. LOL