BP head injury/skin removed

First of all I'm absolutely horrified. I got a BP from petsmart about a month ago and he was mid shed. Since then nothing has improved. Yesterday I spoke with an employee at PetSmart who said she could help me out and to bring him in the next day (today). So I did and she told me she could gently remove the excess shed with scotch tape and that she did it to her bp all the time. Long story short she ended up ripping skin off the head of my poor Python. She said she would take care of him and take him home and buy me a new one come black Friday. I left him with her with the intent of getting him again once healed.

Now I'm severely regretting that decision and will be swinging by before her shift ends to pick him up. What do I need to do to help him heal? I heard Neosporin is a good thing to put on the wound. Additionally he was supposed to be fed tomorrow. Should I wait to feed him?

Please help I feel so bad for the poor thing.

That's why I never get animals from pet smart they don't know what they're doing. Never use tape on a snake :colbert: go to this page to help with a bad shed https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...hed-No-problem next time :)

wow. I don't know what to say.

I think it's smart that you are picking her up asap. Clearly, this girl doesn't have the knowledge or judgement to be caring for the snake. This site is a great place to find your information and answer any questions you have in the future


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I think you should post a pic after you get the snake back so you can be advised properly on how to treat it.


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Originally Posted by BPGator

I think you should post a pic after you get the snake back so you can be advised properly on how to treat it.


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Will do!

- - - Updated - - -

Lesson unfortunately learned.

Neosporin without the pain killer will work for a few days. Longer term Vetericyn gel, which you can get at Petco or Amazon, is better since as a water-based gel it doesn't cause scale damage.

I also agree with getting a picture. Did the tape remove just the scales or is this poor snake missing skin as well?

Oh how awful! Thankfully with proper care, reptiles can heal remarkably well from these kinds of injuries.

I'm not sure why I'm having issues adding a photo. I went back to the Petsmart after dinner. The lady told me that their vet had looked at him and put some sort of salve on him. It started with an S? They want to hang on to him for 3 weeks. She said the vet would be looking after him and that she got into a lot of trouble. Can't say I'm bummed about her "pain" haha.

EDIT: I did get to see him. That's when I snapped a photo.

Here we go! My poor baby. EDIT: The white is the salve the vet put on him.
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...56391129_o.jpg

That's just insane.

Poor baby...was the medication Silvadene?

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Advise. I would get it off of the aspen substrate. Use paper towels and change them frequently. The biggest risk to the snake is going to be infection. Keep putting the ointment or whatever the vet prescribed on the wound, keep it clean and good luck.

WOW! Best of luck with this ordeal. At least she didn't get the eye....I have heard horror stories of people trying to remove stuck eye caps with tape and ripping eyes out.

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Originally Posted by Sandi1961

Poor baby...was the medication Silvadene?

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Yes!
That sounds right :)

@Daniel
Oh man I'm so so glad she didn't And thanks for the advise! I'll make sure to do that :)

holy moly man! :O

How awful! Definitely get him out of that employee's hands ASAP before anything else happens.

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Originally Posted by butterballpython

How awful! Definitely get him out of that employee's hands ASAP before anything else happens.

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Done!
He's not home with me though. He's with the store's vet and I WILL be checking in on him regularly. Like probably daily if we're honest here.

I wouldn't trust the stores vet but that's just me.

My guess is the "S" is silvadene (silver sulfadiazine). Normally it's only available by prescription but http://www.mountainside-medical.com/ will sell it without one. It's one of the better topical antiseptics for reptile wounds.

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Originally Posted by dragonight1993

I wouldn't trust the stores vet but that's just me.

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I'm gonna be checking in a lot and if I ever consider it a problem I won't hesitate to take my baby back. I'm extremely disappointed with that particular employee but am actually close with a few others including another girl who has a BP. I've asked her to keep an eye on this for me.

I do have a question: Can my BP eat tomorrow?

I'm not sure I would want the store vet keeping him/her. I personally would be more comfortable giving my own supportive care but letting him direct the treatment...but that's the nurse in me.

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That's just insane. My god. You can hopefully file some kind of report on this employee/tell her manager what she's done.

I'd move her to a completely sterile and simple tub setup with just a paper towel for substrate. No branches, no decor, no dirt or aspen substrate. Just a hide or two, paper towel, and water bowl. Risk of infection is the biggest danger here...

And no, I would not offer food for a week or two, with that kind of fresh wound on her neck and body. The act of swallowing prey will surely stretch the wound. Then I would only start with something very small, depending on her size.

I would be calling the corporate office, but before that, find a reputable exotics vet in your area, especially if you have a vetrerinary school in your area (that would be the best!). You can tell the corporate office that they will be paying (but be prepared to pay anyway, and deal with them later). Set up the appointment so you can take the snake directly there when you pick it up. Leave enough time for the corporate office to call that store to tell them that you are picking it up.

3 weeks is a joke. The snake is not a cat or a dog, and that is going to take MONTHS at least to heal. First sign that vet doesn't know enough.

Refund. Period.
Then check an fix your husbandry before getting a replacement.

I'm new to keeping BP but that picture bloody scared me, I'm so sorry for you and your poor little snake.

On the other hand there has never been a better advert for taking a reptile to a decent reptile vet's.

Please keep us updated on this and hopefully he will be fine.

That is just. Wow. Terrible. Who could be that stupid??

Worst comes to worst, just a good long soak and their skin comes right off. You as a snakekeeper should know simple alternative methods. And you should DEFINITELY know not to use tape!! If you have to take a snake to PETSMART so they can help you with stuck shed, then you should reevaluate your position as being a snakekeeper!!

Gosh, I'm sorry. That just makes me very angry to see.

I would demand a refund. Never buy a snake from them again. And brush up on your husbandry knowledge and your overall snake keeping knowledge.


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How... all I can say is how... I honestly don't think I've seen anything that bad before. I'm surprised it's even still alive but I I guess that speaks to the resilience of ball pythons.

If I were you I'd find some way to talk to the petco execs and figure out what they can do for you because that is unbelievable. I'll assume that they are paying for "their" vet's bill but considering the time frame they gave you I'd also assume petco worked something out with the vet to prevent the bill from getting too big. I'd be interested in getting a second opinion from an unbiased vet in the area to make sure petco's not feeding you some bs to get you to leave them alone.

Edit: Oh, and to answer your question it probably won't eat even if you attempted to feed it... I mean if you just had like half of your face ripped off you probably wouldn't feel much like eating either...

I don't really feel qualified to tell you whether it's a good idea or not. I'd say no but you should wait for some others to chime in.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

That's just insane. My god. You can hopefully file some kind of report on this employee/tell her manager what she's done.

I'd move her to a completely sterile and simple tub setup with just a paper towel for substrate. No branches, no decor, no dirt or aspen substrate. Just a hide or two, paper towel, and water bowl. Risk of infection is the biggest danger here...

And no, I would not offer food for a week or two, with that kind of fresh wound on her neck and body. The act of swallowing prey will surely stretch the wound. Then I would only start with something very small, depending on her size.

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Thank you for the feeding advice. I will keep that in mind. Also I will be taking the advise of the user below you and calling corporate as well as the individual store. I was planning on going in anyways today to talk to that manager.

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Originally Posted by Kat_aracts

Thank you for the feeding advice. I will keep that in mind. Also I will be taking the advise of the user below you and calling corporate as well as the individual store. I was planning on going in anyways today to talk to that manager.

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How much does she weigh? I only say week or two assuming she's hatchling size and skinny, like most petco/petsmart balls are. If she can go longer without food, then I'd go longer.

And yes, a wound like that on a ball will take many months to heal.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

How much does she weigh? I only say week or two assuming she's hatchling size and skinny, like most petco/petsmart balls are. If she can go longer without food, then I'd go longer.

And yes, a wound like that on a ball will take many months to heal.

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I'm not entirely sure of her weight at this time as my boyfriend generally takes care of her and he's out of town atm. She's 8 months old and I've been suspicious about her weight since we got her. I called that PetSmart branch and spoke with the store manager who had been on vacation. The employee will no longer be working there and he confirmed that everything she told me was false except for the use of silvadene. He will personally be setting up and paying for a veterinary visit this afternoon after which I can take my snake home. I will be accompanying them to this visit as well. I looked up the vet and it seems to be a reputable place: All Creatures Care Cottage. They will not feed her until the vet recommends something.

Is something here still out of order or missing?

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Originally Posted by Kat_aracts

I'm not entirely sure of her weight at this time as my boyfriend generally takes care of her and he's out of town atm. She's 8 months old and I've been suspicious about her weight since we got her. I called that PetSmart branch and spoke with the store manager who had been on vacation. The employee will no longer be working there and he confirmed that everything she told me was false except for the use of silvadene. He will personally be setting up and paying for a veterinary visit this afternoon after which I can take my snake home. I will be accompanying them to this visit as well. I looked up the vet and it seems to be a reputable place: All Creatures Care Cottage. They will not feed her until the vet recommends something.

Is something here still out of order or missing?

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Do you mean the one in Costa Mesa? You're local to me then, I think. I'd really ask the store manager if you can choose the vet and set appointment yourself, and if he'll pay for the visit and medication. You want to find a vet who specializes in reptiles. Most average vets don't know a thing about even proper care of snakes, often even less than the information you'd find googling.

You can locate one here: http://members.arav.org/search/custom.asp?id=3661

I went to Serrano Animal Hospital in Lake Forest here: http://serranoanimalandbirdhospital....inic/our-team/

I saw Dr. Beaudet, one of the reptile vets here, but it seems like most people with reptiles and snakes recommend Dr. Weldy.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

Do you mean the one in Costa Mesa? You're local to me then, I think. I'd really ask the store manager if you can choose the vet and set appointment yourself, and if he'll pay for the visit and medication. You want to find a vet who specializes in reptiles. Most average vets don't know a thing about even proper care of snakes, often even less than the information you'd find googling.

You can locate one here: http://members.arav.org/search/custom.asp?id=3661

I went to Serrano Animal Hospital in Lake Forest here: http://serranoanimalandbirdhospital....inic/our-team/

I saw Dr. Beaudet, one of the reptile vets here, but it seems like most people with reptiles and snakes recommend Dr. Weldy.

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Yes that's the one I meant! He did say that they had reptile specialists at that location. They've already set an appointment for 2:20 today and I'll be taking my lunch break then to accompany them. Should I cancel that? Or just keep your recommendations in mind for the next time I need a vet?

(replied to your pm)

I really am completely flabbergasted at this entire situation. There really is no reason this should have ever happened... :( I can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen a snake with a worse injury, the only thing that comes close is maybe Dave the adult ball python in this thread-> https://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/...les-Just-Split

At this point I would not really trust anything Petsmart is trying to tell you. Even if the manager came forward and admitted the incompetence of the injurious employee and the "vet" that tried to help after the wound was inflicted, that does not mean he is well educated in your snakes needs, either. Judging by how lacking the care for their snakes is in general, and that they "go off of what the vet tells them", I would think their go-to vet (who is likely not a reptile specialist) would not provide adequate care and is likely to be biased towards cutting the costs for petsmart. Since the appointment is already made, I guess I would give it a chance, but let the manager know you only feel truly comfortable seeing a reptile specialist, and if the vet obviously doesn't know what they're doing or talking about voice your concerns! If worse comes to worst you can always contact corporate and tell them your situation and concerns about the inadequacy of the vet, go and see another, specialized, veterinarian, and hopefully be able to petition them to take over the costs.

I'm so sorry this even happened in the first place. It may not have been the best choice, going to petsmart for help with a stuck shed, but holy cow something like this should NEVER have happened and it is the fault of the company, not you. I will say that educating yourself more on the care of your animal is a good idea, but in my opinion there is never a time to stop learning. Do not feel guilty for this. I hope the vet visit is productive and that he's set up for a good, albeit long, recovery. The thread I posted is lengthy but I think it is relevant to the situation, and may give you hope for your little one.

Good luck, and keep us updated. We wish you the best :)

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Originally Posted by Trisnake

I really am completely flabbergasted at this entire situation. There really is no reason this should have ever happened... :( I can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen a snake with a worse injury, the only thing that comes close is maybe Dave the adult ball python in this thread-> https://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/...les-Just-Split

At this point I would not really trust anything Petsmart is trying to tell you. Even if the manager came forward and admitted the incompetence of the injurious employee and the "vet" that tried to help after the wound was inflicted, that does not mean he is well educated in your snakes needs, either. Judging by how lacking the care for their snakes is in general, and that they "go off of what the vet tells them", I would think their go-to vet (who is likely not a reptile specialist) would not provide adequate care and is likely to be biased towards cutting the costs for petsmart. Since the appointment is already made, I guess I would give it a chance, but let the manager know you only feel truly comfortable seeing a reptile specialist, and if the vet obviously doesn't know what they're doing or talking about voice your concerns! If worse comes to worst you can always contact corporate and tell them your situation and concerns about the inadequacy of the vet, go and see another, specialized, veterinarian, and hopefully be able to petition them to take over the costs.

I'm so sorry this even happened in the first place. It may not have been the best choice, going to petsmart for help with a stuck shed, but holy cow something like this should NEVER have happened and it is the fault of the company, not you. I will say that educating yourself more on the care of your animal is a good idea, but in my opinion there is never a time to stop learning. Do not feel guilty for this. I hope the vet visit is productive and that he's set up for a good, albeit long, recovery. The thread I posted is lengthy but I think it is relevant to the situation, and may give you hope for your little one.

Good luck, and keep us updated. We wish you the best :)

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I actually contacted the manager with the name and location of a different vet, one I have heard good things about in regards to reptiles and whose facility I know from bringing in other animals (cats and birds). We have scheduled an appointment there for 3:20 PST and I'm hopeful that it will go well. I have several questions for the vet and will make sure to keep an eye out for things that seem "off".

While I can't shake the guilt, I can definitely say lesson learned and I'm now taking cares to ensure that my education is more complete. I'm immensely thankful to all the lovely people in this thread who have advised me during this time. I will keep you all updated as to how this goes.

I didn't see a picture. ... was it scales or skin removed?

I saw the pic. The skin was removed all the way to the muscle and a large strip of it. Like mentioned before the only worse skin injury I've seen is Dave.

As sad as it is, I wouldn't be surprised if the vet recommended euthanasia.

So what did the vet say??


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Just wondering if there is an update.....

I really suspect that the vet recommended euthenasia. Its an assumption but I think she would have posted if there were any good news....

Any update??