Bite healing question?

Some of you may remember my Pewter getting bit by a rat on 10/28/09. The course of antibiotics that I was given by the vet is almost up, but the bit mark on the outside of her mouth looks about the same as it did when this happened. It is a little smaller, but not much. She'll get a shot tomorrow, Thursday & Sunday, and that is it for the AB's and I'm going out of town for Thanksgiving the Monday after her last shot.

Here is my question. When should I start feeding again? The first Wednesday after Thanksgiving(my normal feeding days) or should I wait until the outside mark is no longer visible.

Hi,

Are there any signs of her going into a shed cycle?


dr del

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

Are there any signs of her going into a shed cycle?


dr del

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None, I've been paying her extra special attention and she hasn't blued out or anything.

Hi,

I would try offering a smaller than usual prey item on the next scheduled feeding day.

What do you think would be the chances of re-opening the wound during a feeding? I can't remember where exactly the bite was sorry. :oops:

You are unlikely to see any major changes until the next shed I think - but wounds do normally trigger a shed cycle to start early to speed the process up.



dr del

Hi,

Ok I went looking but couldn't find any pictures showing exactly where it was.

Is it on the bottom jaw or on the top jaw/ top of her nose?


dr del

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

I would try offering a smaller than usual prey item on the next scheduled feeding day.

What do you think would be the chances of re-opening the wound during a feeding? I can't remember where exactly the bite was sorry. :oops:

You are unlikely to see any major changes until the next shed I think - but wounds do normally trigger a shed cycle to start early to speed the process up.



dr del

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I think on the bite on the outide, she should be fine, but I'm unsure of the one on the inside of her mouth as I can't see it. She was on mediums, but I had planned on switching her back down to smalls after this happened.

Hi,

Yep might be an idea. I might even go as low as a small small around the 40g mark.

It's also possible she won't eat so don't freak out if that happens. :)

The reason I asked for the location is if it was on the lower jaw it's pretty likely to re-open but the upper jaw expands and moves a fair bit less so you might be ok if it was there.

Missing a months or so of meals isn't that big a deal in a 1600g+ snake so don't feel the need to rush the issue if she seems reluctant.


dr del

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

Yep might be an idea. I might even go as low as a small small around the 40g mark.

It's also possible she won't eat so don't freak out if that happens. :)

The reason I asked for the location is if it was on the lower jaw it's pretty likely to re-open but the upper jaw expands and moves a fair bit less so you might be ok if it was there.

Missing a months or so of meals isn't that big a deal in a 1600g+ snake so don't feel the need to rush the issue if she seems reluctant.


dr del

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Yea, she's lost a little weight, but nothing absurd. It's lower jaw, but it's kind of on the side. Right by the jaw bone. I'll probably check and see what it looks like when I get back from Florida and judge whether or not I feed on how it looks then. Just wanted some input from others.

After a few sheds they seem to heal up nicely. My pastel was bitten by a rat on the back and it has healed to the point that I can hardly find it anymore.

I dont know the severity of your bp's injury, but the above is just my experience.

Good luck to you and your bp!

Is there anyone who can help you restrain her while you have a look in the mouth? Credit cards and plastic spatulas work well as mouth-openers.