Really upset right now... *feeding injury*

So I came into the office Monday to find out that one of my employees had brought his family down to the office and fed Cola on Saturday without notifying me. I've always been the only one that fed her and have never hinted at the fact that I would be okay with anyone else doing that. Now, while the snake is here in my office and everyone is able to enjoy having her around, there is no question that this is MY snake and I am completely responsible for her care. She stays in my office behind a locked door. It just so happens that the person that did this has a key to my office.

I was a little perturbed about it but let it go because she had been ready to feed (it had been about 8 days since her last meal), but I let it go.

I'm back to being really pissed, though, now that I had her out and about this morning and discovered a feeding injury underneath her head. About 3 inches back on her belly she has a small puncture wound (I'm assuming from the rat's teeth or nails). She has never sustained any notable injury during feeding while in my care, but that isn't to say this wouldn't have happened if I had fed Cola. But now I can't stop thinking about it, you know, wondering "what if I had fed her... would she still have been injured"?

I already told everybody that I don't ever want that happening again without my presence. Just more ammo for me to convince my wife to let me bring her home! She is weakening her stance, now that I've had her more than 7 months and there haven't been any issues with her at all. Maybe I'll get her home soon :please:

Anyway, here is the best pic I could get of the injury. Should I put neosporin on it or something? How do I care for this?

http://i49.tinypic.com/2vb7arb.jpg

Yeah, I would put just a dab of neosporin on there (without painkiller). She'll be fine. They are a lot tougher than we think. It will probably be gone with her next shed.

I would definately be reminding the co-workers, that is not ok. I always have people wanting to feed my snakes. I really don't think it's that exciting after the 200th time. Where did they get the rat?

Just keep the enclosure clean. You can dab a little bit of neosporin (without the painkiller, its toxic) but it isn't completely necessary.

She should be fine, but it still stinks that she got nabbed, especially under the circumstances. I would be upset too and it's perfectly reasonable for you to not be okay with other people feeding your snake without asking you.

I honestly don't get why people have a strange desire to feed snakes. I understand initially wanting to see it or watch a few times, it is pretty interesting and it's so different from things we normally see everyday. But after a while it's not all that exciting and it's just like feeding your dogs... I mean, I personally don't have many people lining up to feed my goldfish or anything. :/

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by alittleFREE

She should be fine, but it still stinks that she got nabbed, especially under the circumstances. I would be upset too and it's perfectly reasonable for you to not be okay with other people feeding your snake without asking you.

I honestly don't get why people have a strange desire to feed snakes. I understand initially wanting to see it or watch a few times, it is pretty interesting and it's so different from things we normally see everyday. But after a while it's not all that exciting and it's just like feeding your dogs... I mean, I personally don't have many people lining up to feed my goldfish or anything. :/

---

Its probably because they dont own it and have probably never seen a snake eat OR they just think its extremely interesting

however.. that does not make what they did okay. at all. ever.

Get your snake home very soon or give a strict warning that if it happens again without you there, that there will be negative consequences.

Your actually not supposed to be using the neosporin with petroleum or pain killer in it. The petro. will cause scales to fall off. Yous snake is going to be fine though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikeV

Its probably because they dont own it and have probably never seen a snake eat OR they just think its extremely interesting

---

If I remember correctly, this snake is at his office? So his coworkers have all seen it eat.

It sounds to me like the coworker was trying to show off to his family by feeding the snake.. that's what I kind of find ehh not desirable, especially since he didn't bother to call the OP to ask if it was okay :/

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by alittleFREE

If I remember correctly, this snake is at his office? So his coworkers have all seen it eat.

It sounds to me like the coworker was trying to show off to his family by feeding the snake.. that's what I kind of find ehh not desirable, especially since he didn't bother to call the OP to ask if it was okay :/

---

Yeha that could be true too. I thought at first that it was mainly at the office because he couldnt have it at home and his co-workers never really saw it

So you are probably right, which is weird though because if he wanted to look cool infront of his family why would he take the "ill feed the snake" approach

Its just very odd lol!

It was pretty weird. Everybody likes looking at the snake, but I'm the only one that ever cares for it, so it just completely caught me off guard. I think I'm just going to really start pressuring my wife to let me bring her home.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by twistedtails

Your actually not supposed to be using the neosporin with petroleum or pain killer in it. The petro. will cause scales to fall off. Yous snake is going to be fine though.

---

I have not heard of this and plain neosporin has been recommended countless times by every senior member of this site in the short time I've been around.

It kind of just weird that they would feed your pet without asking. Unless you've been informed, you probably wouldn't even think that the cute little mouse or rat could be a danger to your big, predatory snake. And that sort of injury can happen with any live feeding. When they wrap up, the prey just might have a place to fight back right in front of their face.

Don't beat yourself up. Don't beat them up (too much. They acted out of ignorance. Mostly). And keep working the wife. :gj:

Well we all did want an update from you, but not nesercerly under these circumstances. The wife will at some point give in :rolleyes:! but that messed up how they did that. Anywho, I would like to see some more posts from you!

Get a locking lid(the sliding top kind have a built in lock spot for a little padlock). Then there's no more issue. Without a clearer pic of the injury, it's impossible to tell what caused it, but everyone is correct. A dab of neosporin without pain relief will help and it'll heal up fine, most likely.

I had people feed animals without my permission before(never a snake though, finding a live rodent to feed it is a lot of effort, kind of weird). It's always a bit unnerving, because what if they fed something inappropriate? I mean, your co-worker could have dropped a full grown rat in there, thinking all snakes eat rats, so it's fine right? So a locking lid would be my reccomendation. The tanks are fairly cheap, and nearly completely escape proof. Good investment in my opinion.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stevepoppers

I have not heard of this and plain neosporin has been recommended countless times by every senior member of this site in the short time I've been around.

---

Sometimes if you use a lot of it, the petroleum will cause the outer layers of the scales to flake off. It doesn't harm your snake but it is a little alarming if you have no idea why it is happening.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stevepoppers

I have not heard of this and plain neosporin has been recommended countless times by every senior member of this site in the short time I've been around.

---

It is actually the cream based neosporin that is recommended. As stated by Kaorte, the petroleum is what causes the issues.

First off I would fire that presumptuous employee, no one touches my snakes without me there!

Second I would lay down the law with wifey and bring that snake home where it can be loved by you and despised and feared by your significant other...

Lol...

PS, my girlfriend hated snakes, but when I ignored her demands and just brought one home against her will she eventually realized how amazing they are and she now regularly handles and even feeds the snakes herself!
Sometimes you just need to show people you know better than they do and make the descision for them.

Lol...

(Take my questionable advice at your own risk)

Lol...

Like everyone's said, some neosporin without painkiller, or triple antibiotic cream will do. I know your upset about the feeding without you being there, but don't stress to much about. My girl got bit in the eye on accident while constricting, and she's healing up just fine! =] So the little wound (i'm assuming it little, due to the way it apreas). It'll heal up within the next shed or two I presume.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dc1

Well we all did want an update from you, but not nesercerly under these circumstances. The wife will at some point give in :rolleyes:! but that messed up how they did that. Anywho, I would like to see some more posts from you!

---

I agree! We always like updates on Cola, since it was amazing how you found her. I'm glad she is still doing ok for you...:gj:

For any of the new members who are interested, here is the original thread on an awesome story...

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=106761

DUDE!!!! I`d be so0o00o pissed. you don`t just go and do those kinds of things. they probably did it so they could watch her eat..... for THEIR OWN entertainment. I`d be really mad.:colbert::colbert:

Snakes are tough though, on the other hand. hopefully, in time, she`ll shed the scars off. I always keep healing stuff on hand just for that reason. It`s the stuff you get from Dr. foster`s called repti-wound healer. you just wipe it on with a little gause and it has antiseptic in it. keep it clean. very in expensive also.

seconding that lock idea.. I can't believe people sometimes. I guess i take it entirely for granted that every single person i live with is either indifferent or terrified of snakes. No one would go into any of my cages because they'd be afraid of everything in them. Plus who would be responsible if said co-worker was bitten because they were offering the rodent improperly?

I would ABSOLUTELY have a talk with everyone in the office about this, why it is inappropriate for someone to do what this person did, and why you are now installing a lock on the cage. If anyone wants to see Cola, they have to have you there.