Do scratches on snakes dissapear with shedding?

I have noticed my bp has gotten some very small scratches on his belly. They seem like very mild cuts of the scales. But not deep at all. Looks kinda like a scratch you get from your cat. They are so small I am not sure a camera could pick it up. Some are a little pinkish/red but not bloody or anything. I have to assume he got them from something of my decor. I have used sandpaper on all of my decor very thoroughly until I myself couldn't have cut my fingers by pressing hard on the surface but he managed to do it.
So I AGAIN sanded every edges for a long time even more so I hope this time its fine.
Do snakes heal good? Are mild scratches ok since they would get them in the wild or should I do more?

Pics would help if the scales are splitting or discolored could be something else. Make sure your substrate isn't too damp. If it is just a scratch should heal up after a shed or two. You can use antibiotic ointment if it looks bad or gets worse just make sure it's NOT the one with pain killer or a betadine soak just use some warm water and add betadine until it's tea colored. I've use both these on snakes that rub their chins. I would put him on paper towel as substrate until it's healed up.

Yeah I have betadine but it's really very mild. I was just worried because I thought I sanded everything to be safe. I am bot that worried about the scratches that much since tgey seem to be more superficial Most of them just visiable in the scales. But of course I would want them gone if its troublesome for him. Wouldn't want an infection.
I can try to make a photo next time I get him out. But honestly just with the bear eye you have to get really close to see it because tgeir so small.

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Originally Posted by CakeLike

Yeah I have betadine but it's really very mild. I was just worried because I thought I sanded everything to be safe. I am bot that worried about the scratches that much since tgey seem to be more superficial Most of them just visiable in the scales. But of course I would want them gone if its troublesome for him. Wouldn't want an infection.
I can try to make a photo next time I get him out. But honestly just with the bear eye you have to get really close to see it because tgeir so small.

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Germs don't need much room to enter a body, just saying. So if the skin is broken, it's safer to do a mild treatment (Betadine or Vetericyn, etc) & easier than worrying about it.

Oh, & for a few scratches, I would NOT soak the snake. Just dilute some Betadine (if using that) & use a Q-tip to wipe it on the scratches, & hold him briefly while it dries. Soaking the snake is over-kill & stressful.

Lots of good advice above and in general as long as you provide proper husbandry, keep the scratches clean, and provide good conditions for healing, snakes are remarkably good at recovering from injuries. Vetericyn is great as suggested above. A minor cut or scratch will most likely disappear completely after a shed.

I wonder if they are scratches or just creases in the belly scales. Some snakes have them and some don't.

Well they have to be self inflicted since he didn't have them two weeks ago. Always had a spotless belly.
He fed recently so after his resting time I can examin him again and see if it's better or worse.

so the betadine does not need to be washed off?
I honestly don't know which percentage my betadine has. I just searched betadine and bought the bedatine solution with povidine iodine, but theres no percentage on the bottle so I am a little unsure about the dilution.

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Originally Posted by CakeLike

so the betadine does not need to be washed off?
I honestly don't know which percentage my betadine has. I just searched betadine and bought the bedatine solution with povidine iodine, but theres no percentage on the bottle so I am a little unsure about the dilution.

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I agree with bogertophis probably best not to soak if it is minor only would do this if there is a large area that you want to treat. When preparing a soak I just add some to water until it's tea colored. It's just like using it on a cut on yourself doesn't need to be washed off can just dip a q tip in it and just apply to the affected area. The triple antibiotic works very well also and doesn't need to be washed off either just dab on q tip and apply. Again though check to make sure it doesn't have a pain killer in the ingredients. One with pain killer is an absolute no no for snakes. The triple antibiotic ointment has been my go to for some time now for any injuries.

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Originally Posted by sp0420

I agree with bogertophis probably best not to soak if it is minor only would do this if there is a large area that you want to treat. When preparing a soak I just add some to water until it's tea colored. It's just like using it on a cut on yourself doesn't need to be washed off can just dip a q tip in it and just apply to the affected area. The triple antibiotic works very well also and doesn't need to be washed off either just dab on q tip and apply. Again though check to make sure it doesn't have a pain killer in the ingredients. One with pain killer is an absolute no no for snakes. The triple antibiotic ointment has been my go to for some time now for any injuries.

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A little of either "triple antiseptic ointment" (it's not "antibiotic" & that's not the same thing, though a common misnomer) or Neosporin (not pain relief formula) are both safe to use topically on snakes, but just bear in mind that they're petroleum-jelly (aka "Vaseline") based and they WILL mess up your snake's skin & future sheds if more than a tiny amount is used. That's why Vetericyn ointment is better- it's water-based & made FOR use on reptiles.

And btw, Betadine is the trade name for povidone-iodine- so using the generic is fine- same thing-it's made for humans but safe also for snakes- just should be diluted. Does not need to be washed off.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

A little of either "triple antiseptic ointment" (it's not "antibiotic" & that's not the same thing, though a common misnomer) or Neosporin (not pain relief formula)

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Same ingredients as neosporin sold as triple antibiotic

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...5309755597.jpg

Hmm, that's weird. ^ ^ ^ :confusd: I still think it's a misnomer, but whatever.

To quote a quick search:
"What is the difference between an antibiotic and an antiseptic?



Antibiotics can be given parenterally (intramuscularly, intravenously), orally, or applied topically to the skin in the form of a cream or ointment. Antiseptics on the other hand are substances that are applied to the skin but not absorbed significantly and which are able to reduce the possibility of infection."

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

A little of either "triple antiseptic ointment" (it's not "antibiotic" & that's not the same thing, though a common misnomer) or Neosporin (not pain relief formula) are both safe to use topically on snakes, but just bear in mind that they're petroleum-jelly (aka "Vaseline") based and they WILL mess up your snake's skin & future sheds if more than a tiny amount is used. That's why Vetericyn ointment is better- it's water-based & made FOR use on reptiles

And btw, Betadine is the trade name for povidone-iodine- so using the generic is fine- same thing-it's made for humans but safe also for snakes- just should be diluted. Does not need to be washed off.

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What do you mean, will mess up the skin?
What does vaseline do to snake skin?
And do I need to be vary of other substances that cause harm to snake skin?

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Originally Posted by CakeLike

What do you mean, will mess up the skin?
What does vaseline do to snake skin?
And do I need to be vary of other substances that cause harm to snake skin?

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I already explained (re-read my answer above) it can make sheds stick- be "messed up" (come off only in pieces) so the snake may need help with shedding, & possibly with more than just one shed. Vaseline, aka petroleum jelly, ointments that contain it for a base, & other oils: do not belong on snake skin.

Yes, plenty of things can be harmful to snakes- just like us, they can absorb things thru their skin, so be a good "snarent" & protect them from harm.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I already explained (re-read my answer above) it can make sheds stick- be "messed up" (come off only in pieces) so the snake may need help with shedding, & possibly with more than just one shed. Vaseline, aka petroleum jelly, ointments that contain it for a base, & other oils: do not belong on snake skin.

Yes, plenty of things can be harmful to snakes- just like us, they can absorb things thru their skin, so be a good "snarent" & protect them from harm.

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so any kinds of oil? Even natural oils like cooking ones?
I haven't heard of thid before. I don't expose my snake to this directly.

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Originally Posted by CakeLike

so any kinds of oil? Even natural oils like cooking ones?
I haven't heard of thid before. I don't expose my snake to this directly.

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Yes, cooking oil too. Olive oil, avocado oil, corn oil, ANY oils. I've heard of ppl using them to try to kill mites, for example. (trying to smother them with oil by coating the snake) It doesn't go well for the snake after. It's also not for removing stuck shed- use water.

IF you ever have a snake with mites, you need to soak it in shallow water (totally supervised) with only a drop or 2 of mild dish soap* added (*like Ivory or Dawn)- the soap is only there to break the surface tension of the water, so the mites drown instead of swimming or floating, & getting back on the snake. This method of killing mites is harmless, but usually incomplete- some mites may still hide on the snake's head, & you must not hold them under water- for what I hope is an obvious reason: snakes need to breathe, & they can certainly drown!

Best advice: if snakes don't come across something in nature & didn't evolve with it, avoid using it on them until you ask those of us with lots of experience (KSA's). ;)