Ball Python Rescue - Before/After Pictures

About 2 months ago I went and rescued a male ball python, whom was in horrible condition. When I got to the ladies house I was horrified by what I saw. He had dried up wounds all up and down his back, burns on his tail and belly, dried shed left on him, and in a couple spots where it looked like someone literally tried to skin him. The lady said, "he's had a few bad sheds". It looked like he had been severely abused on purpose! I've never seem a snake in my life that looked like this. Pictures tell everything.

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4084c98f.jpg

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6cd9af32.jpg

(In this picture I wasn't pulling the skin, just lifting it up. It eventually fell off a few days later)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8495dc67.jpg

This is the only picture i took of his burns.

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...pse03cca5f.jpg

When I received him he was in pain and would strike every time I would try to touch him. He refused to eat as well. After his first shed you could tell he felt so much better! A couple weeks after his first shed he finally started eating again. And now he doesn't mind being handled. Next is a picture after he shed.

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psa2204ba5.jpg

Next is a picture that was taken a couple weeks ago. As you can see his scales are starting to form back over the white areas.

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps44df4a4c.jpg


Let me know what you guys think! I'm so happy to have saved him. He will be one normal male that stays with me for the rest of his life. He's now one of my best eaters too! :D Let me know what you guys think!

It's absolutely amazing what they can recover from with proper care. It looks like they had him living with a hungry mouse on top of a stove! :taz: Thank you for taking the time and heart to save that guy, he's looking awesome!

Oh my gosh, poor guy!! He's lucky to have had you. I know you mentioned he was in pain and snappish when you first got him, but could you share your treatment plan for him-- betadine baths, silver oxide cream? How'd you get that stuff closed up and clean? I'm just curious, and it'd be a good firsthand resource in the event someone ends up taking in a rescue like this guy. Again, great work!

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Originally Posted by Archimedes

Oh my gosh, poor guy!! He's lucky to have had you. I know you mentioned he was in pain and snappish when you first got him, but could you share your treatment plan for him-- betadine baths, silver oxide cream? How'd you get that stuff closed up and clean? I'm just curious, and it'd be a good firsthand resource in the event someone ends up taking in a rescue like this guy. Again, great work!

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His treatment was the non pain killer Neosporin every few days. I've heard some people say you shouldn't use Neosporin on snakes, but it's all I've ever used. I think it really proved itself with this guy though. After his first shed I only did one treatment of it. He has been healing very nicely now without it.

Wow he looks so much better! Great job taking him in and saving his life.. its just so hard for me to understand how he got that way in the first place.

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Wow...sad that he got to that point, but he was very lucky you came along!
I can't believe that lady waited that long...

Amazing recovery story, lots of good karma your way! :)
I'd like to see continued updates every so often and see if he's 100% better.

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Originally Posted by sissysnakes

its just so hard for me to understand how he got that way in the first place.

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Because people suck, especially when it comes to non-furry pets.

It reminds me of the parents who take a child to the emergency room with cuts, bruises all over, and/or broken bones and say "he fell."

Great job with the rehab. I'm sure you have a much happier snake.

Wow! Poor baby! I can't believe how much better he is looking already, great job. It really blows my mind that anyone could let their pet get that way.

Wow amazing job... He looks so good... I can't believe how much he has changed... He went from his skin falling off to almost a perfect snake.. Poor little guy. Good job props to you for looking and taking care of him.