It's a Miracle! Black rat rehab wound healing!

[MelissaFlipski]

Lefty shed yesterday morning; and his wound looks SO much better! Here is the photo of the wound after his shed on April 9th:


Here it is last night after his 2nd shed with us:


Now we are dealing with swelling around the heart. The rehabber thinks it's cellulitis. I am waiting for a call back from her. I think it just means a course of antibiotics.

[OhBalls]

Awesome! I had wondered if you were going to post an update....So glad it's good news....you did a great job!

[mike m]

Thats fantastic!
Glad to hear it's getting better.
Mike

[tigerlily]

Looking great Melissa. I hope the healing continues!

[MelissaFlipski]

Latest update. I let him go on May 25th. His wound was very well healed, he had gotten 7 doses of Baytril and was still eating, his respiratory symptoms were nearly gone, but the swelling around his heart was still there and seemed unchanged. He was happy to be let go.

However, I think there was a kink in my QT procedures 'cuz now I got two pythons with respiratory infections. Only one of them has been cultured, but I am treating them both for now - and avoiding cross contamination b/c the Ball is worse than the Jungle (whom I only SUSPECT has one, but am giving antibiotics for good measure).

So to the nay sayers that said be careful about the black rat giving our snakes something - there were some words of wisdom there. Would I do it all over again? Yes. But more showers in-between handling and no walk throughs (to get out the front door with a snake, we had to pass within 10 feet of the black rat snake's tub). I admit that I slip and have moments of complacency - it's a reminder why I should never have venemous snakes.

Lesson learned. Just hope antibiotics get it all straightened out.

[Montessa Python]

Great job though, you did the right thing. And there are sure to be lots of little baby rat snakes out there that will thank you in the upcoming years.

Carolo

[Blu Mongoose]

He looks great, good job!! Glad to see he looks so good. One thing about QT practices , it is very easy to slip up. But we learn and go on. I continue to do rescues when possible. There is a risk in anything we do.

[MelissaFlipski]

Great job though, you did the right thing. And there are sure to be lots of little baby rat snakes out there that will thank you in the upcoming years.

Carolo

I hope so. I haven't seen him since. So, of course, I worry.

He looks great, good job!! Glad to see he looks so good. One thing about QT practices , it is very easy to slip up. But we learn and go on. I continue to do rescues when possible. There is a risk in anything we do.

Yup. Guess the only thing I would change is keeping the wild mouse from biting him. THAT was a bummer.

Thanks, guys!

[Koiscale451]

Great job! It's nice to see people rescuing, even with the risks.

[TheMolenater2]

Nice! I've found 2 black rat snakes in my chicken coop.