Stuck shed tore scales completely off

[meghanbu30]

My baby girl Sylvia is a normal BP, around 2 years old.
She was a rescue and was in absolutely horrible condition when I picked her up.
She hasn't had any issues recently in the last month and then with her last shed just a week ago, this......
It literally ripped the scales off her back leaving behind a couple bloody and horribly exposed patches of raw meat.

I have since moved her from her substrate to paper towels until it heals.
But how could this have happened to this extent??

She had a stuck shed from the previous owner and numerous scars and scabs from rodents attacking her.

[CptJack]

I'm guessing it's a combination of scars/scabs and stuck shed, rather than just being stuck shed. The stuck shed may have disguised or hidden it, but I'm betting there was an injury under there that had scabbed over and when the layers of shed came off, the scab came with it.

[Reinz]

I agree with CJ. That's from a wound!

My first thought was Rat!


Added:

Maybe consider placing some Neosporin on that wound.

[meghanbu30]

How can I keep it from doing this again?

[989josh]

I agree with CJ. That's from a wound!

My first thought was Rat!


Added:

Maybe consider placing some Neosporin on that wound.

The one without pain relief


Sent from my iPhone

[CptJack]

How can I keep it from doing this again?

I'm willing to bet that you're going to see improvement with every shed from here on out, and that it will gradually close in and then regrow scales. Use the non-pain relief antibiotic cream, keep it clean, don't let things get too wet and it should be all right. I think without stuck shed issues, you're not going to have an ongoing problem with things like that opening up.

[meghanbu30]

Non pain relief neosporin, I think I've got a new unopened tube here.
How often should I apply it?

[Navaro]

I'd recommend twice daily, at least initially to fight off any infection. But as others have said, make sure it doesn't contain added anesthetic, like lidocaine.

keep us updated

[bcr229]

Non pain relief neosporin, I think I've got a new unopened tube here.
How often should I apply it?

Neosporin should be used very sparingly as oil-based ointments will cause scales to soften and slough off. It's ok for one or two applications, but no more.

Silvadene (silver sulfadiazine) is usually recommended instead. While most places will only sell it with a prescription, http://www.mountainside-medical.com/ will sell it without one.