My snake got bit by a rat

:hug: I'm sorry you had to go through that...I imagine that it was really hard on you. I'm sure with some rest and some ointment, he'll heal up just fine. Don't blame yourself, either--doesn't sound like there's anything you could have done.

Just remember herps are some of the fastest healers and most resilient in the animal world, if they weren't there wouldn't be so many of them!


~mike

I used to keep a pencil or chop stick handy when I had a couple who were live feeders, and it did come in handy. If the rat is constricted, but still able to move his head he may try to take a few chomps. I had that happen once but I was able to get a pencil into the rats mouth long enough for it to expire...


Hope he heals up quick...:D

*winces at pics* Owie, poor baby! Here's hoping he heals up fast! :petting:

:hug: Hope he heals swift and well for you.

These kinds of things must happen fairly often in the wild so the snake gods should have built a healing ability to cope with it right in.

best wishes.

dr del

Thank you all again for your support. I will update you all often with hopefully good improvement.

I would try to clean it very well with betadine and the reapply the neosporin. It is kind of tough to tell n the pic but was the eye damaged also?

yes, the eye was damaged. :( I hope it at least heals up, even if he's blind - is there a chance it could just, well, rot?Where can I get betadine? I wasnt sure what to use to actually disinfect the wounds.

It just looks like a bit of dried blood, maybe some exudate(oozing), and the face is swelling. He looks like he's going blue or the eyes are reacting to the swelling. A cool, moist wash cloth placed over his face for as long as he'll stand for it would help ease some of the swelling and help him feel better.

The dilute betadine would be fine to clean with, but you'll want to get some gauze (not cotton balls), soak those and gently(but firmly) flush out the wounds. They are puncture wounds, and being so close to vital organs(brain and eyes), it's important to clean them very thoroughly. Mooshing the betadine into the wounds with the gauze will help flush the bacteria out and help get some air in.

You'll want to let it dry, with the betadine rinsed off or not(doesn't matter), and then really rub the neosporin/polysporin into the wounds.

If it starts swelling worse than it is, oozing purulent material(pus or any exudate that isn't clear), or acting lethargic, you will want to put him on some systemic antibiotics so he doesn't go septic on you. Puncture wounds are nothing to play with.

Oh, and you can get betadine at any walmart, CVS, Walgreens, drug store, etc. Just dilute it so you have dark rust colored water(unless it is already diluted), warm it up a bit so it doesn't shock him when you clean his face. You can get gauze at those previously mentioned places too.

i really cant give you great advice i just wanted to say good luck and i hope everything works out for you.

ill be reading your updates...i cant imagin what your going through with that.

Stacie<3