Help! BP hurt :(

I just got my BP on Friday and today I noticed she had some aspen stuck to the bottom of her neck, I haven't handled him since I got him. Thinking that was very strange i picked her up and gently removed the aspen, this only exposed something worse.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...urtsnake-1.jpg
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I quickly placed her in a tub and removed all the aspen in the cage, thinking a piece must of been sharp or there was a very sharp piece on one of her logs. I replaced the aspen with newspaper and put her back in the tank.

I then noticed a piece of gorilla tape that I used inside the tank to affix the wire from the probes up on the side of the tank. The piece in the upper corner came off a little bit, without thinking i pressed it back down. A couple minutes later I thought maybe she got stuck on it and went to look at that piece of tape, and sure enough it looks like that is what happened while she was exploring sometime last night.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...urtsnake-6.jpg

Humidity: 60%
Hot side: 90.5 (one spot of 91.2)
Cool Side: 80-82
Ambient Temp: 81

I waited a week and a half extra before purchasing the snake to make sure she had perfect conditions and seemed to have slipped up with using tape inside the enclosure. I have removed all pieces of tape within the enclosure as well.

She appears to be fine from the whole ordeal after removing the pieces of aspen stuck to her and was exploring the cage after I put her back in it. She is now in the warm side hide. I'm still concerned with the exposed flesh and would like to assist her the best way possible that I can before I can take her to the vet. Is there anything that I can put on the wound to prevent infection/aid in healing?

The above pictures were taken with a nikon d80 and macro lens so the wound appears much larger than it actually is, although I still feel incredibly bad it even occurred. The little piece of string was from the bag she came in that had frayed edges in it, that is no longer on her as well.

Thanks in advance for the assistance! :(

Neosporin. That and liquid bandage (for eggs) are possibly the two best items to have if you own snakes.

That wound is serious enough (and placed badly enough) that I would recommend having a veterinarian look at it. For more minor wounds, you can disinfect with betadine (a type of iodine). Never use any antibiotic ointments that contain pain killers. Some antibiotics are not safe for reptiles, and the pain killers placed in them are not either.

The snake will probably be ok if the wound is cleaned and disinfected, but it's much better to be on the safe side, since it's in such a delicate area.

get her to a vet ASAP, that could easily get infected and I would not feed untill it is treated and healed to be safe. I have no further info in the subject besides bring it to a knowleageble herp veterianrian before It becomes infected.

(this is NOT one of the 1,001 uses of duct tape :P )

I would also suggest bringing her to the vet, and it would probably be a good idea to get her off aspen and on to newspaper until that's more healed.

Betadine and Polysporin are best friends for healing that area.

Till its healed FEED SMALLER PREY to keep the neck from over stretching and reopening the wound as it heals. Dont be alarmed as it will scab a bit and when the bp sheds their will be blood at times from the shed reopening the surface, nothing to worry about.

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Originally Posted by The Beast

I would also suggest bringing her to the vet, and it would probably be a good idea to get her off aspen and on to newspaper until that's more healed.

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I've already gotten her off aspen and onto newspaper. That's the first thing I did when I noticed the aspen hanging from her neck and upon removing it, I noticed the exposed flesh.

I've called for an appointment at Lake Worth's Bird & Exotic Hospital for Thursday morning (earliest available). Should I place her in some warm water to clean the wound and then put some neosporin on the wound until then? If so, would would be the best method to prevent harm to her? Get a Q-tip and put some neosporin on it and then gently rub it on the area?

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Originally Posted by ScubaRyan

I've already gotten her off aspen and onto newspaper. That's the first thing I did when I noticed the aspen hanging from her neck and upon removing it, I noticed the exposed flesh.

I've called for an appointment at Lake Worth's Bird & Exotic Hospital for Thursday morning (earliest available). Should I place her in some warm water to clean the wound and then put some neosporin on the wound until then? If so, would would be the best method to prevent harm to her? Get a Q-tip and put some neosporin on it and then gently rub it on the area?

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No water you want to keep it dry. Clean with what i posted with above.

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

No water you want to keep it dry. Clean with what i posted with above.

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Gotcha. Would you recommend getting both and mixing them, or whichever one I can find?

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Originally Posted by ScubaRyan

Gotcha. Would you recommend getting both and mixing them, or whichever one I can find?

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you need both. Betadine is a disinfectant and will clean the area before applying the polysporin. Both can be found at drug stores for about $15-20 total

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

you need both. Betadine is a disinfectant and will clean the area before applying the polysporin. Both can be found at drug stores for about $15-20 total

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Thanks for the help. I'll go out and get them and apply in that order. Is Betadine a liquid? On the CVS site it looks as if it is.

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Originally Posted by ScubaRyan

Thanks for the help. I'll go out and get them and apply in that order. Is Betadine a liquid? On the CVS site it looks as if it is.

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Yes its same stuff used for surgery prep

Awww. Poor little guy. I hope he heals ok for you. Best wishes :)

Hope your BP gets better and please let's this be a reminder for you and other people who are new to this to NEVER use tape in a snake's enclosure, no matter how you place it they will find a way to get stuck and injured themselves.

They fed their babys every Thursdays, do you think I should wait to offer food to her due to this or still offer on Thursday? I've yet to fed her as I just got her last Friday afternoon

I wouldn't feed her at all until this was healed up better. I'd be worried about any stretching, and the snake isn't going to suffer much from a couple weeks of missed meals if she was eating well before you got her. Taking care of the wound is far more important right now.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Hope your BP gets better and please let's this be a reminder for you and other people who are new to this to NEVER use tape in a snake's enclosure, no matter how you place it they will find a way to get stuck and injured themselves.

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I realize this now. I thought due to it being really strong and up high in the corner, she'd never be able to get to it in the event that it became loose. I've used gorilla tape for a lot and never had it loosen, especially not after a week. I learned a lesson today, just hope she heals up fast and well.

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Originally Posted by Tikall

I wouldn't feed her at all until this was healed up better. I'd be worried about any stretching, and the snake isn't going to suffer much from a couple weeks of missed meals if she was eating well before you got her. Taking care of the wound is far more important right now.

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She was being fed 1 small adult mouse every Thursday. She's about 3 months old they said. Should I feed something smaller just so she has some food or wait till it heals a little and offer something small or her usual?

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Originally Posted by ScubaRyan

She was being fed 1 small adult mouse every Thursday. She's about 3 months old they said. Should I feed something smaller just so she has some food or wait till it heals a little and offer something small or her usual?

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At 3 months old and being fed weekly, taking some time off shouldn't be an issue imo. They can conserve their weight very well when they need to.

You're very lucky, it looks like she just lost some skin. Make sure to change the paper often to keep the environment clean. It should heal up just fine in a few weeks as long as you follow the care instructions people have posted, and after a few sheds you probably wouldn't ever know she was injured.

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Originally Posted by BabysMomma

You're very lucky, it looks like she just lost some skin. Make sure to change the paper often to keep the environment clean. It should heal up just fine in a few weeks as long as you follow the care instructions people have posted, and after a few sheds you probably wouldn't ever know she was injured.

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Definitely will. How many times should I disinfect/apply the polysporin? Once in the morning/night till I see the vet and see if she says differently?

Poor baby , best wishes!! Keep us updated :)

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Originally Posted by ScubaRyan

I've already gotten her off aspen and onto newspaper. That's the first thing I did when I noticed the aspen hanging from her neck and upon removing it, I noticed the exposed flesh.

I've called for an appointment at Lake Worth's Bird & Exotic Hospital for Thursday morning (earliest available). Should I place her in some warm water to clean the wound and then put some neosporin on the wound until then? If so, would would be the best method to prevent harm to her? Get a Q-tip and put some neosporin on it and then gently rub it on the area?

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paper towls not newspaper, don't want ink to get in there :(

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Originally Posted by h00blah

paper towls not newspaper, don't want ink to get in there :(

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Good idea, ill change it when i get home with the medicine after class as well

I've been told the ink/dye is soy based and so should do no harm. But, the less that gets in there, the better.

Also, I feel like this would make a great warning sticky. This happens far too often.

I agree have a vet check incase any muscle damamge and such, keep on paper towels for at least 2-3 sheds as it will bleed the first couple shed. and if you don't neo it put some liquid bandaid on it to prevent infection, and as well to help keep dry. I wait at least 1 full shed or ( vet oking about feeding but i only offer prekilled so notot cause a lot of future damage ( from struggling prey) I also bumpe the temps up a couple degrees so the snake have a higher mateblism ( spelling) to promote a a healthier immune system during this time.

I got home from class tonight with the Betadine and Polysporin and applied the Betadine and then wiped off it off and applied the polysporin. She really didn't like the Betadine being poured over it but she didn't hiss or strike or anything. She coiled around my wrist and hung off after i wiped her off and let me put the polysporin on without any fuss. I also changed the bedding from newspaper to paper towels just to be on the safe side.

The wound doesn't look as red as it did this morning so hopefully it'll heal quickly. I scheduled a vet appointment for Thursday at 3:30pm. I'll ask about feeding and see if they say to do anything differently with the wound. For now i'll just continue with the Betadine and Polysporin and changing her bedding daily.

Is Betadine and Polysporin once at night and once in the morning too excessive?

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Originally Posted by stevepoppers

Also, I feel like this would make a great warning sticky. This happens far too often.

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I searched for snakes and tape injuries after the fact and there are a lot, not necessarily on this site, but several hits pop up. A lot of them involve much worse cases then mine, but it still is easily preventable. I feel bad for having to learn a lesson the hard way and her suffering from it. I'm expecting a bite as revenge when she heals!

I feel a nice boaphile cage is in order for her when she gets older! :snake:

The only thing thats annoying me now is the fact that some people (family and friends) think I should just continue with what has been suggested and skip the vet since the vet cost will be a lot more than the snake was worth. I asked them if they got a dog/cat for free/cheap would they take the risk and not visit a vet? Some people just don't get what people see in reptiles! Regardless of the pet, you should take responsibility and give them the care they need if something is to occur.

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Originally Posted by ScubaRyan

I feel a nice boaphile cage is in order for her when she gets older! :snake:

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Tubs work wonders too. Especially the clear ones. Just like short aquariums, but with much easier humidity and they hold heat really well. She's a nice looking girl btw.

Also you probably shouldn't feed it anything that well stretch it's neck out.

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Originally Posted by ScubaRyan

The only thing thats annoying me now is the fact that some people (family and friends) think I should just continue with what has been suggested and skip the vet since the vet cost will be a lot more than the snake was worth. I asked them if they got a dog/cat for free/cheap would they take the risk and not visit a vet? Some people just don't get what people see in reptiles! Regardless of the pet, you should take responsibility and give them the care they need if something is to occur.

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That's up to you. We have treated wounds just as bad ourselves with no problems. It's amazing how fast and how well snakes(living creatures in general) can heal. The real factor is keeping it clean and infection free. If you can do that, then I am willing to bet it will heal just fine. Do like others have already told you and you should be fine.
You can skip feeding it for a few weeks to be on the safe side. I bet it will be healed up pretty good within a couple of weeks.

Looks like it should heal up ok. They are tough animals. Also, you should dilute the betadine before applying it. The surgeons at the hospital I work at dilute it with 30 parts water or saline to one part betadine. They say more than that can actually damage the tissue. Personally I wouldn't bother with putting anything on the wound at this point. I think it will heal fine either way and there is probably not much point in stressing him out applying anything.

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Originally Posted by pfan151

Looks like it should heal up ok. They are tough animals. Also, you should dilute the betadine before applying it. The surgeons at the hospital I work at dilute it with 30 parts water or saline to one part betadine. They say more than that can actually damage the tissue. Personally I wouldn't bother with putting anything on the wound at this point. I think it will heal fine either way and there is probably not much point in stressing him out applying anything.

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Yeah, i only did the betadine once and didn't put much and then wiped it off afterwards and applied the polysporin. She doesn't seem to mind me rubbing it on her neck, touch the top and she flips though.

Anybody think I should remove the 2 logs in her enclosure? She's always on them at night and sometimes during the day

I think I would. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Sounds like you're keeping it clean for him/her at least, so that's the most important part. I wouldn't really worry about putting too much medicine on your snake unless they start getting really stressed out.


" It's amazing how fast and how well snakes(living creatures in general) can heal. "

This however...when my snake got a cut, it took 2 months to heal. My vet kept stressing how slow snakes are when it comes to healing a flesh wound. Nothing to really worry about, just don't think in a week he/she will be good as new.

As far as feeding goes, I fed mine (several) pinkies while she was healing from her cut, though it was a little further down her "neck". What really freaked me out was that she wouldn't kill them, she just ate them and you could see them moving while she swallowed...:O (Vet confirmed this was not anything to worry about because it was such small prey for her and the pinkies weren't strong enought to hurt her, even while kicking around inside...)

All I can say is good luck. I think we're all hoping for the best! :gj:

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It's significantly less red than it was when it occurred. Does it look like it's getting infected or just starting to scab over? She'll be going to the vet in a couple hours as well.

Went to the vet and she said she should heal up just fine. Told me to put her on a bath towel or pillow case as newspaper and paper towels both could cause abrasion. She also told me to remove the logs and replace 1 when she is about to shed. As well as to soak her for 10 min after her eyes clear.

She also told me to use the Betadine and dilute it a little bit as you guys suggested. She also gave me an aloe based anti-botic (Healx - Soother Plus cream) to put on afterwards twice a day instead of the Polysporin. She also recommended (as some of you did) to go down in prey size. She recommended to wait another week to feed her 2 hoppers instead of her usual 1 small adult mouse.

She also said i'll most likely not be seeing much more improvement until she sheds, and 2-3 sheds is a more realistic result to see results. She even said she should regrow the scales that she lost, but they may be slightly different. Here's to fast healing for her! :snake:

I'm glad you took her to the vet! I had a rescue that was attacked by a rat (previous owners negligence) which was pretty infected when i got her. The vet gave her an antibiotic shot and some polysporin to put on it every day. Within two or three rapid sheds (she went into shed immediately after shedding) the wound was completely gone. Her snout is a little darker now, but it totally healed in less than two months.

Good luck! Post progress pics along the way, I'd like to see how it heals :)

Her wound is healing fine! Today was her feeding day after skipping a week and i got her 2 hoppers instead of her usual 1 small adult. She didn't seem interested at first with the first one but she eventually noticed it and attacked it...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...e/5295fc80.jpg


She seemed to be confused that you don't start at the tail first! Then she decided to try again... and started at the paw .....she finally got it right though! ;)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...e/9193371b.jpg

Im glad to hear shes doing great :)

Do you have another neck shot for us?

I'm super glad you are taking very good care of your pet. I'm like you, I don't hesitate to take them to the vet. I take the snakes to the vet yearly just for well-check. They go with the dog and bird.

Most people here do not need to do that though. They're as knowledgeable as the vet... sometimes even more knowledgeable... on these guys.

I'm new to the hobby so I don't know much about health issues yet.

good on you for taking care of her so diligently. Make sure while you have her on a towel that if she urinates to change it right away as to not have her slither in it if at all possible. Sorry ...lol...Im anal! I am so glad to hear she is doing better. Also keep in mind snakes typically will shed alot more to heal the area, so don't be alarmed if you get quite a few sheds in a short time.

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Originally Posted by anatess

Do you have another neck shot for us?

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I'll get some more shots of her neck on Sunday as she just ate and I wouldn't want anything coming back up :). I kind of have to wait for her to explore her tank and go up the tank glass to get those shots, hard to take shots of her underside when nobody will hold her! Such a big bad snake! :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by BPelizabeth

Make sure while you have her on a towel that if she urinates to change it right away as to not have her slither in it if at all possible

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I actually took her off the towel because I noticed her rubbing her neck a lot on the edges that would curl up. Also, the temperatures on the top of the towel was 90.5, but underneath on the glass it was 97. I didn't want her to burn if she got under the towel so I removed it for both of those reasons. She's back on newspaper and seems to be doing fine.

She's being difficult trying to get pictures of it, but I put her out on the bed before putting the cream on her and took some pictures of her... i believe her eyes are starting to get a little cloudy and I was going to feed her tomorrow, should I wait until after she sheds? Could just be my eyes, but I believe they're starting to cloud up...they look more of a grey then blue though.


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They'll be blue tomorrow. It always takes mine 2 days to turn fully blue, and they're this shade of gray on the first day. Unfortunately, that's the most insight I can offer...

Should I wait until after he sheds to feed?

That's pretty blue already, actually.

I'd wait? She might not eat anyway until a day or two after shedding.

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Originally Posted by loonunit

That's pretty blue already, actually.

I'd wait? She might not eat anyway until a day or two after shedding.

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The flash makes it look blue, its a greyish color without the flash.

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Originally Posted by ScubaRyan

The flash makes it look blue, its a greyish color without the flash.

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I guess a better word is "opaque." Anyway, she's pretty opaque already!

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Originally Posted by loonunit

I guess a better word is "opaque." Anyway, she's pretty opaque already!

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Heh...yeah! Guess i'll wait a couple days to feed her :) I hope her wound heals even more with her shed!

Well her eyes cleared up, so I gave her a soak in the warm bath. While drying her her vent looked bulged and red, as I was looking at it...she let loose pee and urate all over my hand and paper towel.... Least its better there than her clean cage! I got 1 picture of her cut and it looks dirty, but I didn't want to stress her out so I'm gonna clean it later before she sheds. I haven't cleaned it in a couple days as her eyes have been blue!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...e/SNAKEY-7.jpg


I also took some other pictures of her :)

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