Emergency Help Needed

Well Teej,

Since it sounds like you're going to make an honest attempt at healing him, you may want to consider boosting the temps up. Since the skin's splitting, he may have problems w/thermoregulating.

Like for RI, take the temps up a notch and actually go closer to the "warm" end of the spectrum. That way his body's not having to put that much more energy into the "maintenance temp" but can work on healing.


I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you & that he doesn't get any infection in the wounds!

Good luck!

R.

I have heard of people useing peodalite(spelling sorry) its the stuff you give to kids to stop them from getting dehydrated when sick.As far as giving it something orally try holding it still with a towel wrapped around your hand.This will give it something soft on its skin while you give the meds.Try giving it a few drops at a time,insert the dropper past its breathing hole(dont want to drown it).If the stuff your using on its skin seems that its not helping get some neosporin,i have used it on a few adoptees torn up by a cat.O before i forget thumbs up on your rescueing them:colbert2: .

Silver sulfadine (sp?) cream works really well for reptiles as well....it's what our vet prescribed for injuries such as that. If your snake is still eating, that is a very good sign.....usually it's when the snake/reptile stops eating that it gets weaker and the immune system is compromised....but every time your snake eats, it will probably gain strength, which will help the healing process. Good luck with the poor fella....he's in good hands now..:gj:

I saw this condition spoken about in one of those small ball python books when I first got into snakes about 10 years ago I may be able to find it around somewhere. I recently moved and only the shadow knows where I put that book??????

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shadrach

I saw this condition spoken about in one of those small ball python books when I first got into snakes about 10 years ago I may be able to find it around somewhere. I recently moved and only the shadow knows where I put that book??????

---

Damn "shadow"! We moved two years ago and I think the "Shadow" still lurks around unpacked boxes. Thanks

Hey, I am so sorry, I forgot to mention the shop is closed on mondays! I'll be in today after 9am if you want to try again, sorry, it has been a hectic few days here.
Or email, whatever is easiest on you.
W.

I just wanted to up date everyone that offered advice. My ball python is making a speedy recovery. He ate twice then started his shed. He had trouble shedding, but with his skin tearing, I removed all of his bedding, trees and branches. I have soaked him which helped. However; when he shed, the biggest skin tear peeled back again. Then he stopped eating for two weeks. With his malnurished state we acquired him in, I wanted him eating. But he was drinking.

Well he started to shed again. The front half of his body shed great. The skin looks good and has a nice gloss to it. The back half of him did not all shed which is fine as this is where the large sore is. This sore is healing over nicely now. This week, he has eating 3 mice in 6 days. [he should be eating small rats but he won't eat pre-killed and I don't want any injuries] Once he is healthy, I will get him to eat pre-killed. His body is filling out now. His skin has a healthy look and his sore, larger than a quarter, is getting a covering over it with no signs of infection. Thanks to everyone for their support and concern. When I can, I will come back and post pics.

Teej

Thats really nice of you Teeje to rescue him. I also have my fingers crossed so that all goes well. Good Luck:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

Sounds like you've done a really good job with this (I never saw this post until now). I've administered oral antbiotics to a large corn, but you seem to have coped with that very well - it isn't fun is it? With the sore healing over and reducing plus eating well it sounds like your rescuee is doing good. Fingers crossed for you.

To everyone generally regarding vet bills - they are enormous - we have a dog that sadly isn't insured but all our other pets are - it costs quite a bit in monthly debits or the one-off payments but it's nice knowing that if something needs expensive treatment there's no money worries.
~Sue

Well I discovered what appeared to be a cyst type infection starting. Next to his wound I felt a mushy bubble about 1 1/2" long under the skin and a stripe of scales along his belly getting a pinkish tint. I think with the wound crusting over, it could not drain. Just guessing though.


Well the vet withdrew 2 vials of fluid from the bubble. The vet wormed him and gave him a antibiotic shot. Over night, the pinkish color is almost gone. Still though, I have to administer antibiotic injections every 3 days for the next month and I have to clean his wound daily with a batadine solution, and worm again in 2 weeks, then worm every 6 months for worms and ecto parasites. [the good thing is he gave me enough for our other snakes too.]

On a sad note, the vet said he would have a noticable scar there and that his body appears to have a permanent bend in its body. I don't know why but I am guessing he may of been abused or injured in his previous poor neglected invironment. Oh well, I'll love him just the same.

Teej