Burns and open wounds please help

I got my boyfriend an ball python for his birthday last month. He just shed and has gotten bad burns he removed the under tank heating pad and are just using light but now there is another problem we tried putting a big thing off water in his tank which is a 50 gallon and it spilt I asked my bf to check the dirt and shavings to see if they were wet and he never did so when I got over there today he (the snake) had been sitting in the wet cedar shavings and now had open wound I am really worried about him and am wondering what I can do to find him some help.

Holy batman. Betadine or neosporin in small amounts. Another thing you could do is care for a sentient creature.

Take the snake to a vet.


In the meantime get rid of the bedding and put him on a paper towel. If you see any mess clean it right away.

Will he heal. On his own if I don't have those things

Take him to the vet immediately. Perhaps you should take the snake to your home where you can more closely monitor him.

If you cannot afford the vet (I understand Christmas is two days away) replace the substrate with dry substrate immediately. Put a tiny amount of neosporin on the wound and wrap gently with vet wrap. (They might sell reptile safe burn and wound cream near you.) Be sure to very gently wrap the wound with vet wrap, or wet substrate can get in the wound and cause an infection. Please keep us updated.

I'm 17 years old with no money till go to the vet.

If neither of you had the financial ability, time, or commitment to properly care for a snake you should not have got it in the first place. Is your boyfriend also underage? Can either of you ask parents for help?

Asking parents isn't anything to be embarrassed about. You need to get those wounds taken care of asap. Do you have pictures?

i don't know how time post pictures im on my cell phone I removed the bedding and put paper towel, also I am not embarrassed to ask his or my parents but funds are low this time of hear for every family

Well, it can't hurt to ask. Regardless the wounds need to be taken care of asap.

My parents wont help but I will ask my bfs dad tomorrow should I put his house in there with him on the paper towels?

Yes. Give him his hide. He's probably already stressed out from the change of substrate and wounds. Give him some comfort.

okay I moved him to a smaller cage and brought him to my house where I can watch him he has his house and a heat lamp and the paper towels

Okay. Just keep an eye on him. First thing in the morning try to get the supplies I listed.

I will we probably have neosporen in the house I just can't find it and what exactly is a vet wrap?

Its like an ace bandage for animals. It sticks to itself.

Do you have gauze and a small ace bandage? You could use that as long as it doesn't have the metal bits that keep it together.

Not sure how well that's gonna stick to snake, but yeah, the concept applies, keep the wound clean and dry. Change out soiled paper towels immediately. And when you do put it back on belly heat, make sure the heat pad is hooked up to a thermostat to regulate temps.

I think this was mentioned on page one, but it's important that the neosporin is painkiller-free. The kind with painkiller can cause more problems with reptiles and amphibians.

Don't use cedar can cause out her health problems...toxic!!!use aspen mulch or newspaper...when all healed up....good luck!!

If you could post photos, we might be able to help better. Of his (tank I presume), and photos of his infected/wounded areas.

You NEED to get that poor snake to a vet ASAP. Burns can become infected very quickly. None of us here are vets. Make sure you go to a qualified reptile vet. That animal deserves better then this. You should have thought about the expenses of keeping a snake before you even got one.

Reptile vet should be your first choice, but if a reptile vet isn't available, regular dog/cat vets are often willing to do simple things like dressing wounds.

Like I said in my description this was supposed to be my boyfriends responsibility not mine and I take care of all my animals I have three turtles many fish 2 rats one of which is pregnant and a puppy and a kitten the snake is not my pet I am going to everything I can to help him after Christmas I should have money to take him to the vet

I will try to post picture when I get on a computer

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Originally Posted by ashleyylyn

Like I said in my description this was supposed to be my boyfriends responsibility not mine and I take care of all my animals I have three turtles many fish 2 rats one of which is pregnant and a puppy and a kitten the snake is not my pet I am going to everything I can to help him after Christmas I should have money to take him to the vet

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Just do the best you can. He's in your care now. Has your boyfriend ever had snakes before? My suggestion is get rid of the uth, they cause burns often (unless you have the time to regulate it). Buy your boyfriend a few ball python care books. And make sure that snake comes first right now.

I vote that you get a new boyfriend.


Yours doesn't sound very responsible and that's not what you need in a man.

You're going to get a lot of comments about owning a pet without having the means to take care of it, etc. I wholeheartedly agree with this.

On the other hand, this is the situation right now, and if I (we) can help the snake to better health and living condistions that's what we need to do.

So, yes, photos will be better for us to help and hopefully get your snake to the proper health if you are absolutely 100% unable to take it to a vet.

He's had several ball pythons before but I got angry with him today because this could have been prevented if he checked on him like I asked he said that he's doesn't spend much time with him so either I'm gonna keep him or as soon as he's better sell him to someone that is better equipped to care for him

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Originally Posted by ashleyylyn

He's had several ball pythons before but I got angry with him today because this could have been prevented if he checked on him like I asked he said that he's doesn't spend much time with him so either I'm gonna keep him or as soon as he's better sell him to someone that is better equipped to care for him

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Now that is being responsible. I commend you for that. I know you are doing the best you can and that is all that matters.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ashleyylyn

He's had several ball pythons before but I got angry with him today because this could have been prevented if he checked on him like I asked he said that he's doesn't spend much time with him so either I'm gonna keep him or as soon as he's better sell him to someone that is better equipped to care for him

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What happened to them? Died? Lost interest? Escaped? If you are 17 I cant imagine he is much older or younger which means he is not old enough to have had several ball pythons if he was keeping them responsibly. If he was he would still have them all.

It doesn't sound like he needs a snake at all, or any pet. Snakes live a long time when cared for properly so they are not for people that are not committed.

With his lack of interest and your lack of funds I would find the snake a nice snake person to adopt it and give it a better life.

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Originally Posted by ashleyylyn

He's had several ball pythons before but I got angry with him today because this could have been prevented if he checked on him like I asked he said that he's doesn't spend much time with him so either I'm gonna keep him or as soon as he's better sell him to someone that is better equipped to care for him

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Good girl. Just take good care of the snake. Keep in mind, a lot of people on this site can be rude, but they're trying to help. Take the advice and make sure that poor baby gets better. You can't go in the past and change anything, but improper treatment of the wounds can cause a lot of damage and possible death.

He would still have them but his dad gave them away with him knowing when he was between houses cause has parents are divorced and he's 18 only a year older than me and he had them for 2 years

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Originally Posted by ashleyylyn

I'm gonna keep him or as soon as he's better sell him to someone that is better equipped to care for him

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At least you're willing to give up the snake if you do not think you are equipped enough to care for him. :gj:

Thank-God you were mature enough to seek some form of assistance, and that you were smart enough to consider that you may need to find the snake a new home. I hope the snake heals up and that you don't get too stressed about it, best of luck to you! :)

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Originally Posted by ashleyylyn

I'm gonna keep him or as soon as he's better sell him to someone that is better equipped to care for him

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This is not going to be a quick process either........

If you are on Facebook try to find a local reptile forum and ask for help. Someone nearby may have first aid supplies you can use/borrow for a few days until you can get that baby to a vet.

Just a quick update his wounds are healing and he's doing a lot better

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Originally Posted by ashleyylyn

Just a quick update his wounds are healing and he's doing a lot better

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That's a relief to hear!

Im really surprised that no one mentioned surrendering the animal to a reptile rescue. I live in the Chicago land area and there are a lot of organizations around here that in an emergency situation will take your animal and provide medical care if you are unable to. They then re-home the animal to a responsible person who is qualified to care for a special needs animal. In this case it sounds like it would be a good match. Im sure there are organizations such as this in most towns if you search the internet in your area.