Open wound?!

[Kjewell89]

Okay, so Saturday morning I had my snake out (I take him out once a day except for 48hrs after feeding just to check him over) and everything was normal. He was a happy, albeit hungry, snake. Later that afternoon he got his 2 mice and i observed to make use he made the kill before leaving him to eat in peace. Nothing seemed off about the kills so I didn't bother him until today. I pulled him out and he was acting a little head shy, which for him is unusual so I start checking him over. This is what I found:





I looked through his cage thoroughly and the only area I even found blood was in the hide he hung out in after he fed.



Otherwise there's no sign of anything he could've hurt himself on. Only thing I can come up with is one of the mice got him. What am I supposed to do? Do I leave it alone or is there something I should put on it? It doesn't look "angry" or infected. There's some nice pink tissue that's visible and it's not actively bleeding but this is my first snake and I'm at a loss...? He is currently in Cyprus bedding. Should I switch to paper towels until this closes and his next shed? If you made it through this whole thing, thank you! Sorry for my rambling and thanks for any advice!


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[Pythonfriend]

yes, i would switch to paper towels until it is properly healed.

for cleaning/disinfecting the wound, this is good stuff:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Povidone-iodine , known as betadine or pyodine.

it can be used as a diluted bath, or be applied directly to the wound with a cotton swab.


but maybe a vet is needed, the wound is rather large and deep and a large piece of skin is detached. this will take a long time to heal and leave a nasty scar, also there may be other complications. maybe a vet needs to treat the wound professionally, close the wound with a suture, and give the BP antibiotic shots. i have no idea if the detached piece of skin will reattach itself. maybe a suture is needed to prevent a large and nasty scar from forming.

[Pythonfriend]

come on guys, i think we need some more responses here.

if a vet visit to get a suture is necessary, then time is a bit of an issue. that wont work if the wound and the detached piece of skin is all dried up.

[AlexisFitzy]

I'm sorry this happened to him. Definitely put him on paper towels, I can't really tell the depth of the wound by the pictures but just keep it nice and dry because once it's dried up it will scab and heal on it's own. You'll be surprised how fast they can heal. But if the wound is deep than you could get a vet to reattach the skin. But just keep it clean and dry keep us updated!


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[Kjewell89]

I talked to a vet and apparently they don't recommend sutures on snakes, especially where this is because that area experiences a lot of movement. I've been instructed to clean it with soapy water, a betadine flush and then apply neosporin or such several times a day. Apparently the first shed will be the worst so I'm supposed to keep humidity high and do soaks


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[Kjewell89]

come on guys, i think we need some more responses here.

if a vet visit to get a suture is necessary, then time is a bit of an issue. that wont work if the wound and the detached piece of skin is all dried up.

Thanks for the advice


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[AlexisFitzy]

I talked to a vet and apparently they don't recommend sutures on snakes, especially where this is because that area experiences a lot of movement. I've been instructed to clean it with soapy water, a betadine flush and then apply neosporin or such several times a day. Apparently the first shed will be the worst so I'm supposed to keep humidity high and do soaks


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Okay perfect! I had a feeling the sutures thing would be a little far fetched. But don't worry he will be healed up in no time. oh and if your going to use Neosporin make sure you get the kind without pain killer in it. You can also use triple antibiotic ointment, that's what I've used in the past.


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