Urgent!!!!

I just wanted to add that DO NOT use hydrogen peroxide, it will actually damage cells, and prevent healing.

If you have povidone iodine or betadine where you are located(medical supply store, pharmacy, or doctor's office), get some. With the povidone iodine, it is actually a scrub(meaning it has a soap added to it) and will need to be rinsed off. The betadine doesn't have a soap added, so it can be left on the snake.

The betadine would probably be the better option. Put a generous amount on a gauze sponge and lightly scrub the snake's belly with it. Then with a sterile, dry gauze sponge, dab the excess off. It will not cause irritation like the povidone will. You can use a triple antibiotic ointment with polymyxin B sulfate, bacitracin zinc, and neomycin. You can find this at any pharmacy. Do not get another ointment with any other additives as anything else is not recommended for snakes.

Keep the snake warm and dry as the others have said. I would keep the snake on clean newsprint or kitchen roll(paper towels-white). Lower the humidity to around 50%.

He may need antibiotics such as Baytril(enrofloxacin), doxycycline, or another strong antibiotic. These can be purchased at the vet. The snake will need to be weighed so the correct dosage can be given. I would recommend antiobitic injections rather than oral antibiotics, it will stress the snake out less. The snake may need subcutaneous fluids to help reverse the dehydration caused by the belly/scale rot.

Good luck with him and please update us on his progress. The sooner you can get him to a vet(any vet really) the better.

Dear God, that poor snake! I can't advise you on what to do to treat him but I sure can Google.....

I couldn't find any exotic/herp vets but I did find the following as a place to start asking for help or referral. Even if you can only speak to a vet on the phone experienced with snakes it may help you to save this snake.

Department of Natural Resources
Peurta de Tierra, San Juan, PR (809) 724-8774

Mayaguez Zoo, near Cabo Rojo (787) 834-8110

Don't be shy, ask for anyone who knows a vet or knows someone who knows a vet that can advise you or treat this badly abused snake. Sometimes you have to be really persistent but there's got to be help there somewhere. I would think the Zoo would be a great resource for that as they list reptiles as being kept there so they must have either a vet on staff or a vet on retainer to the zoo.

Best of luck, prayers with you and the snake.


~~Joanna~~

I just wanted to say that if you feel this poor snake cannot survive or is suffering and no help is available, that if you feel you need to euthanize it humanely I for one would not blame you.

I'm not saying that's what needs to be done right now or ever. I truly pray you can find help and heal this poor creature, but sometimes we all face hard decisions that are made for the best interests of a animal to end it's suffering.

I guess I just wanted you to know that you will find support here if you are faced with that decision at some point. I hope though that the information forum members provided here and the phone numbers I gave you, help to lead to a vet there that can save this snake.


~~Joanna~~

Not to burst anyone's bubble, and also disclaim that I am not very worldly in dealing with health issues that serious (thank the powers at be) I would have to humbly say that humane euthanization may have to be considered here. I say that because this snake looks like there is a slim chance of recovery and that the current caregiver does not have the resources to care for a snake in this condition.

Do try Jo's (frankykeno) idea of a zoo - that was the first thing I thought of when you mentioned your vet didn't know (there must be a vet somewhere that knows something though surely!) - most people who work in zoos (my daughter wants to be one) are very caring and compassionate about their critters - there must be some help somewhere. I do hope he/she makes it :(

rely thx for all of the suport that every one here has givenme!!!!

Let us know how it goes - I really hope it turns out OK for the poor thing. :(

I have very bad new the bp died to day :(

awwww poor thing, that stinks

I'm not surprised.. but very sorry for the loss.