First Aid for cat bites?

Okay, update. He got x-rays, which show an intact body wall. Yay!!!! I was so worried that he might have abdominal perforation, since he's not a big guy (420g) and cat teeth are soooo long.



Started him on Baytril 100mg/ml which I've diluted to 50mg/ml in saline. According to the dosage instructions it can be given SID or EOD, so we're going to do SID for a coupla days, then EOD if everything looks okay. That was a hard shot to give, and he bled afterwards. It feels so different from a mammal. He's not patient about it like a dog, either...he writhed and struggled, and I hated having to hurt him, which was unexpected. I'm normally pretty stoic about treating critters, my own included. I think his lack of understanding made it worse. I can't give him a biscuit and make it all better.



Aside from that, he is alert, moving freely, and except for being a little more nervous than usual, is acting okay.


How long should I wait to offer food? Yesterday was the normal day, but obviously I didn't offer him any. Would next week be too soon, or does it just depend on how well he heals?

Thanks for all the advice from everybody; this place is such a terrific resource of shared knowledge. I feel like I have a handle on his condition, which helps a lot. The night I found him I was completely freaked out because I had no idea how to best help him.

Soooo....anybody want a kitten? ;-)

I would just wait until the Abx's are done. He's stressed enough by the shots and his gut flora may be offset by it, making him more prone to regurge, etc. It won't hurt him to wait 2 weeks, he's a hefty boy :)

Glad everything's fine!

I'd agree with Becky. Unless the vet says different I wouldn't feed him while he's stressed by this. A couple of weeks off feed for a healthy, normal weight snake can't be anywhere near as troubling as triggering a regurge I figure. I'd just keep him warm, offer lots of quiet time with no handling other than the necessary stuff, access to clean water and his medical treatments and call it good. I'm not a vet or vet tech, just that's what my own instincts would tell me to do (unless of course the vet suggested another course of action and it was a vet that was experienced with my snakes).

After several unpleasant Baytril injections and a lot of smeared on Neosporin, Topaz is doing wonderfully, and I'm much less panicked thanks to all the wonderful advice received here.

The lacs are all clean and dry, with no puffiness or odor and he is heading into a shed cycle. He's been alert and responsive, and not as shy as I'd have expected.

Today was a feeding day and I wasn't planning on feeding him, but he came out to the front of his tub and was tracking each mouse as I lifted it past him, and even struck at the plastic once. So I offered him a small mouse and he nailed it immediately and went into his warm hide to sleep it off, just like usual. I'm astounded at how quickly he's bounced back.

As far as his shed goes, should I be concerned about it not coming off all the way? I've not yet had any of mine need help, but I'm wondering if all of those punctures will keep him from shedding cleanly. What say you, o wise ones?

Jess,


I'm so glad to hear that he's making a good recovery! I'm not sure what to advise on the shed, whether a soak would be recommended if it didn't come completely off or not. Hopefully someone with more experience working with injured snakes will offer their insight!

Congrats again!!!

Oh that sucks. I always triple check everytime I open/close the lid to my snake tanks as I have 5 cats. Occasionally I realize I didn't double check, I go and do it right away, as cats see snakes as food and if one of them out out, well. Lesson learned, so I'm sure you'll be triple checking from now on.

I'm glad that he is doing well. I would keep an extra close watch on the shed, and provide him a humid hide for this one, which should help any problems before they start.