Saving a Life! (Graphic images)

I was curious about what the best way to suture reptile skins was as I remember being told a long time ago that their was a specific way that is best. So I dug around a little and in a reptile mag. i found a article about an iguana with a bladder stone. During the closing of the incision it stated that reptile skin heals differently than mammalian skin and needed to be sutured with edges everted apposed underside to underside.(it looks like the skin was folded out slightly and the undersides of the dermis layer was stitched together) This was to promote a stronger bond and prevent inward healing but it didn't explain why or if inward healing was bad. Temperatures sure be held at the warmer end too as this helps promote healing which should take 4-6 weeks.

Now none of this really helps after the fact and the best effort was put forth in this emergency. I'm just wondering if anyone can confirm what I've read and maybe explain better just in case anyone else has a similar emergency that would require the suturing of an open wound. I only have one bp but I'm thinking of hitting up a nurse friend of mine for suture kit just in case and hope I never half to use it.

Great Job Tim, sorry I could not post sooner as we have been on vacation. Keeping my fingers crossed for you and the little spider girl.


Neil

This one of those storys that all i can say is AWWWWWW.. :oops:

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Originally Posted by Royalherper

This is one of the coolest stories I have ever heard. You guys are awesome. How still does a snake stay when you are sticking needles in it? That couldn't of been easy. Great job on that one!

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Jason,
Believe it or not, she held almost perfectly still through the whole process. This was fortunate for us, as it was hard enough with her being so little.

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Originally Posted by shag

I was curious about what the best way to suture reptile skins was as I remember being told a long time ago that their was a specific way that is best. So I dug around a little and in a reptile mag. i found a article about an iguana with a bladder stone. During the closing of the incision it stated that reptile skin heals differently than mammalian skin and needed to be sutured with edges everted apposed underside to underside.(it looks like the skin was folded out slightly and the undersides of the dermis layer was stitched together) This was to promote a stronger bond and prevent inward healing but it didn't explain why or if inward healing was bad. Temperatures sure be held at the warmer end too as this helps promote healing which should take 4-6 weeks.

Now none of this really helps after the fact and the best effort was put forth in this emergency. I'm just wondering if anyone can confirm what I've read and maybe explain better just in case anyone else has a similar emergency that would require the suturing of an open wound. I only have one bp but I'm thinking of hitting up a nurse friend of mine for suture kit just in case and hope I never half to use it.

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Maybe I am reading it wrong, but I am not sure exactly what you are trying to say. However, I appreciate the thought, and as you stated, I have never had to do this before, and had to do something. I also am planning to do the same as you and get a suture kit with the hopes that I never have to use it.

Sincerely,

Thanks Neil and amber. I have not checked on her yet today, but I will post an update tomorrow morning.

I'm just anal about being prepared for the worst and this is something i never thought I'd have to worry about so I'm trying to get as much info as possible, maybe i have a little OCD. How is the beautiful girl doing?

I found a pic of the suture method so everyone can see what I can't explain.
http://www.lbah.com/reptile/iguanastone.htm

Thanks Shag, for the link, it was very informative. I understand what you were trying to sya now. For the time being she is doing fine. Her clutch mates shed yesterday, but she is showing no signs of shedding, which I always have a few hatchlings that were "programmed" incorrectly each year, and do not shed shortly after hatching. I was going to evaluate her condition tomorrow, and decide if I was going to feed her with her clutch mates. I will post a better update tomorrow.

How's she doing?

Denise,
I'll post a better update of her this evening after I check on her, but yesterday when I checked her, she is just starting to turn blue and enter her first shed (note: al of her clutch mates shed on Thursday). Her wound seems to be healing very nicely, and she has started to move around more and like a typical hatchling. She tongue flicks alot more and seems curious about her surroundings like a normal snake. She likes to push her water bowl around now and hide behind it. I am truly amazed at how well she is doing so quickly, but I am pretty confident that if I can get her to eat, she will be fine. She is noticably better than she was a week ago.