Pictures of Carmen's scar (DUW)

Carmen shed (not prettily - needed soaking and then help =P) and we got some pictures of the scars.

History: The end of June, Carmen had RI and vet prescribed sub-cu Baytril injections. After her next shed mid-July, I noticed dark, depressed patches at many of the injection points. While stuff on the web I saw said that Baytril can cause necrotic scarring, the vet said she had never seen that happen in all the years she's been prescribing Baytril injections. Vet gave me Silvadene cream, an anti-botic, to help heal and possibly kill what may have also been infection.

But looking at the spots today, they look like scars to me. Anyone else got any thoughts?

Notice how the scales seem missing in the scarred areas...=P

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...nscarright.jpg
View of right side

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...scarright1.jpg
Close up of 1st scar from head.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...scarright2.jpg
Close up of 2nd scar from head.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...scarright3.jpg
Close up of 3rd scar from head

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...scarright4.jpg
Close up of 4th scar from head

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...enscarleft.jpg
View of left side

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...nscarleft1.jpg
Close up of 1st scar from head

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...nscarleft2.jpg
Close up of 2nd scar from head

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...scarleft34.jpg
Close up of 3rd and 4th scars from head

Youch, the poor baby! I didn't realize she had that many treatment area scars on her. I don't know much about redtails, but I'm guessing the spots will darken over time. I hope that she doesn't get sick ever again!

Poor Carmen. :( Hopefully they'll fade over time and the color will come back. She's still a mighty pretty snake!!

Yes, any strength Baytril can cause burns, scarring and sometimes abscessing. I have always told people to inject a small amount of sterile saline into the area either IM or SC, and then inject the Baytril into that. It dilutes the Baytril down so it isn't so acidic. Baytril really should be given IM, like Penicillin. Some vets like to use it SC, but you end up with the scarring and tissue sloughing if the strength is too high.

If you do have to give antibiotic injections again, get some Lactated Ringer's solution or some sterile saline from the vet and inject about 2-4ml under the skin before the Baytril injection. It can be nasty, but it's a wonderful drug.

The question is is there any hope the scales and/or coloration will come back? I just feel awful that I've scarred our beautiful snake for life...:(

Should I keep applying the Silvadene or is there something else I can do?

Do you think the scars will stay the same size as she grows or will they "grow with her"?

Awh... Carmen is such a beauty though, scars are no. I hope she grows out of them (no idea how that works) but even if she doesn't, she's still a looker!

Ruby had a scar about 1/2 the size of a dime on her back from what I think was a bad shed and it healed up in 3 sheds. No idea why this would be different.

Saoirse our WC adult female BP came to us with a big scar sort of like that. We assume it may have been from a capture hook. It has really filled in a lot over the past year Cass so hopefully that will be the case with Carmen.