Emergency Help Needed

We agreed to take 2 ball pythons from the irrate mother of a teenage girl who stopped taking care of her snakes. My 10 yr old has 8 other snakes in his room, but he takes care of them and we have never had any serious health problems to deal with.

We have had these two additional snakes for almost 5 weeks now. The oldest ball pyton is about 2 yrs old and 2 1/2 ft long. This one is having a serious health problem. Yesterday we noticed that his skin is tearing is several places. Splitting and tearing right down to the white meat.

Now when we got him we were told he had only been eating mice, so we fed him one large live mouse which he ate right away and we fed him another one 4 days later which he again ate. The following week we fed him a small rat and 7 days later fed him another small live rat. [we feed weely] He ate all of these and kept them all down with no problem.

Yesterday was feeding day, but we noticed the torn skin in the morning when my son woke up so we did not feed him fearing what could happen if he was bitten by his food while he is in this condition.

I soaked him for 1 hr in water in case he is dehydrating, then I tried to spread neosporin over the exposed white meat but stopped as his skin is very loose and pulls right off from the body. This is happening in several areas.

I called University of Florida small animal hospital where they treat reptiles, but we cannot afford this. I was told that the emergency weekend visit costs $150. Monday, they are closed and it would cost $70 to see someone on Monday and $50 to see someone on Tuesday and these fees are just for the office visits and does not include treatment.

According to our snake reptile book this skin condition is caused from being severly malnurished. I am confused as this snake had been eating for us, but he may not have been fed for a long time before we got him.

According to our book, this snakes skin needs to be stitched up? I can't see this happening as he has so much skin coming off.

Any advice please? I completely cleaned out his 60 gallon tank removing all bedding, branches and plants so he will not catch his skin on anything else. He just has plain news paper in there now.

What can we do for this reptile? We tried to do the right thing by giving him a good home, but did not realize the apparent poor health condition he was in from neglect when we rescued him.

I am going to call a reptile store today to see if they have any advice. [today is Saturday] Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. We can't afford a vet bill especially for what it appears it would cost for what this snake needs.
Thank you, Teej

I'd consider having the snake euthanized. If it's that seriously injured, and it sounds like it's likely going to continue splitting, or the really high risk of infection, it's not fair for the snake to remain in pain that way.


It's nice that you were willing to rescue it and provide it a good home, but the damage was already done. Now you need to give it a loving ending so it's not hurting.

Best of luck in your decision. :hug:


RuLyn

Well, I can totally understand if you decide to euthanize. But I would just continue taking good care of it, and putting ointment on the tears. If it continues to get worse, I'd go ahead and euthanize, but if the issue is malnutrition and the snake is willing to continue eating and drinking for you he probably still has a chance.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Justin

Can you post a picture? I'm really unsure what you are talking about, but I assume it's not shedding since you've had 8 other snakes. Is this an open wound, deep enough to require stitches? If so, the best advice anyone can give you is to get to a qualified vet as soon as you can. I know that's not what you want to hear, but you'll need someone to assess the wound and most likely prescribe antibiotics.

Teej, please contact me. I have dealt with the UF vets before and they are very reasonable. I am slightly north of Gainesville. Maybe we can work something out. Poor snake. Pictures would be helpful, I have never heard of this before.. but then I am fairly new to the pythons.
Wolfy(wolf-hound@lycos.com)
Or pm here.
Or" I am at work for another few hours, call me at 352-475-3360 (the Doghouse) ask for Wolfy

I shouldn't have to state this but.. any vulgar calls, prank calls etc sent to my business will be reported as such.

Well if that was happening to you you would go to the emergency room asap.If you cant aford to take care of them you shouldnt have gotten them. But at most vets you can apply for a credit card. So if you dont have the cash that would be a way to go.

max she rescued them please read b4 u go off being an :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r: she could have let them just die is that what you would have done?

I did read that. Im not trying to be mean. But there not realy rescued if there not being taken care of the way they need.

They are rescued as in the other person wasn't even bothering to post here to ask for help, now aren't they?
She is trying to help them, and has them in good conditions, feeding them. And don't forget theother one is doing fine.
I doubt that most reptile owners could afford a real emergency if one cropped up suddenly.
Wolfy

First, Teej is a man [sons father], not she. I have all the wounds cleaned up and bought a liquid antiseptic wound aid today. It is very easy to apply as I can just drip it on the wounds liberally. I still think this snake is malnurished so I also purchased a supplement for dehydrated and/or malnurished reptiles. However; this has to be administered orally and I am not sure how I am supposed to do that with a snake. Anyone have any experience administering orally to a snake from a syringe? [yes, this stuff is for ball pythons. it is called "Fluker's Repta Aid" Insectivore/Carnivore Emergency Aid]


As for Max123's comments, please let them go. Do Not turn this into a bashing thread please. I read his replies. Just as everyone has a belly button, he has and is entitled to his opinion. I see that many others have read this and had nothing to contribute. At least Max took the time to type. Thank you.

Please help me with advice on using the syringe orally, as well as how to restrain his head. He is in pain and stress and not wanting to be held. However; his wounds are cleaned and disinfected and he is moving around his cage and I have the cage temp varrying between 80-85 degrees. The wounds appear to be covering over with no signs of infection.

Thank you all, Teej

[Wolfy, i'll try contacting you Monday, the Doghouse was closed when I called this afternoon.]

Well Teej,

Since it sounds like you're going to make an honest attempt at healing him, you may want to consider boosting the temps up. Since the skin's splitting, he may have problems w/thermoregulating.

Like for RI, take the temps up a notch and actually go closer to the "warm" end of the spectrum. That way his body's not having to put that much more energy into the "maintenance temp" but can work on healing.


I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you & that he doesn't get any infection in the wounds!

Good luck!

R.

I have heard of people useing peodalite(spelling sorry) its the stuff you give to kids to stop them from getting dehydrated when sick.As far as giving it something orally try holding it still with a towel wrapped around your hand.This will give it something soft on its skin while you give the meds.Try giving it a few drops at a time,insert the dropper past its breathing hole(dont want to drown it).If the stuff your using on its skin seems that its not helping get some neosporin,i have used it on a few adoptees torn up by a cat.O before i forget thumbs up on your rescueing them:colbert2: .

Silver sulfadine (sp?) cream works really well for reptiles as well....it's what our vet prescribed for injuries such as that. If your snake is still eating, that is a very good sign.....usually it's when the snake/reptile stops eating that it gets weaker and the immune system is compromised....but every time your snake eats, it will probably gain strength, which will help the healing process. Good luck with the poor fella....he's in good hands now..:gj:

I saw this condition spoken about in one of those small ball python books when I first got into snakes about 10 years ago I may be able to find it around somewhere. I recently moved and only the shadow knows where I put that book??????

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Originally Posted by Shadrach

I saw this condition spoken about in one of those small ball python books when I first got into snakes about 10 years ago I may be able to find it around somewhere. I recently moved and only the shadow knows where I put that book??????

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Damn "shadow"! We moved two years ago and I think the "Shadow" still lurks around unpacked boxes. Thanks

Hey, I am so sorry, I forgot to mention the shop is closed on mondays! I'll be in today after 9am if you want to try again, sorry, it has been a hectic few days here.
Or email, whatever is easiest on you.
W.

I just wanted to up date everyone that offered advice. My ball python is making a speedy recovery. He ate twice then started his shed. He had trouble shedding, but with his skin tearing, I removed all of his bedding, trees and branches. I have soaked him which helped. However; when he shed, the biggest skin tear peeled back again. Then he stopped eating for two weeks. With his malnurished state we acquired him in, I wanted him eating. But he was drinking.

Well he started to shed again. The front half of his body shed great. The skin looks good and has a nice gloss to it. The back half of him did not all shed which is fine as this is where the large sore is. This sore is healing over nicely now. This week, he has eating 3 mice in 6 days. [he should be eating small rats but he won't eat pre-killed and I don't want any injuries] Once he is healthy, I will get him to eat pre-killed. His body is filling out now. His skin has a healthy look and his sore, larger than a quarter, is getting a covering over it with no signs of infection. Thanks to everyone for their support and concern. When I can, I will come back and post pics.

Teej

Thats really nice of you Teeje to rescue him. I also have my fingers crossed so that all goes well. Good Luck:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

Sounds like you've done a really good job with this (I never saw this post until now). I've administered oral antbiotics to a large corn, but you seem to have coped with that very well - it isn't fun is it? With the sore healing over and reducing plus eating well it sounds like your rescuee is doing good. Fingers crossed for you.

To everyone generally regarding vet bills - they are enormous - we have a dog that sadly isn't insured but all our other pets are - it costs quite a bit in monthly debits or the one-off payments but it's nice knowing that if something needs expensive treatment there's no money worries.
~Sue

Well I discovered what appeared to be a cyst type infection starting. Next to his wound I felt a mushy bubble about 1 1/2" long under the skin and a stripe of scales along his belly getting a pinkish tint. I think with the wound crusting over, it could not drain. Just guessing though.


Well the vet withdrew 2 vials of fluid from the bubble. The vet wormed him and gave him a antibiotic shot. Over night, the pinkish color is almost gone. Still though, I have to administer antibiotic injections every 3 days for the next month and I have to clean his wound daily with a batadine solution, and worm again in 2 weeks, then worm every 6 months for worms and ecto parasites. [the good thing is he gave me enough for our other snakes too.]

On a sad note, the vet said he would have a noticable scar there and that his body appears to have a permanent bend in its body. I don't know why but I am guessing he may of been abused or injured in his previous poor neglected invironment. Oh well, I'll love him just the same.

Teej

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Originally Posted by sweety314

I'd consider having the snake euthanized. RuLyn

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sorry if i sound stupid...
how do you euthanize a snake?

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Originally Posted by 4Khan

sorry if i sound stupid...
how do you euthanize a snake?

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Take it to a vet.

how do they kill it?

I did not have to do it and never have had to. I assume some kind of humane injection. Any vets or vet techs out there know for sure?

I had to have my corn euthanized - she was also a rescued snake. She had a tumor (we originally thought it was a wound) but there was absolutely nothing the vet could do - so while she was out under the anaesthetic he gave her a shot of (don't know the name, sorry) something and it stops the heart.

Many congrats for you nursing this snake back to good health. He may have a noticable scar for the rest of his life, but he is in a loving, caring home now & at least now has people that care for him...very well done

I would think euthanizing a snake isn't much different at your vet's office then having any other pet put down. I believe they use an overdose of a barbiturate that affects the central nervous system causing the the heart and lungs to quickly and painlessly stop. At least that's my basic understanding of the procedure having had to have two very aged cats put to sleep over the last couple of years.

Teej, it sounds like you are very committed and caring with this poor snake. Take heart, you would not believe how well some of these snakes do. Look up threads by goldenburm on the horrible condition his BP Phoenix was in when he got her and how well she is doing now. We also have a BP that has huge dorsal scarring and she's just laid her first clutch. Hopefully your little rescue will do as well and even scarred, will go on and live a normal life in your care.

He is dehydrated. There is an artical in this months reptiles mag that describes this and show pics. If you want to keep the snake he might be saveable. See a vet.

you can see that artice ing this issue http://www.animalnetwork.com/reptiles/home.aspx

You didn't read all of the thread. He is being treated and currently under a vet prescribed treatments and medication. [See pg 2 of the thread.] He is recovering fine now but stressed due to his daily treatments.
Thanks for the article, my son has a subscription to the monthly magazine. It is great and he reads it cover to cover.

Teej

You are doing a super job! I've been were you are and I understand how you feel! Best of luck!

Great job on the vet visit. Hope everything goes well with it. And props on taking in such a mistreated animal. Most folks wouldn't want to mess with a rescue that is that bad off.. You desirve some kind of award or cookies or something. Great Job

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

Great job on the vet visit. Hope everything goes well with it. And props on taking in such a mistreated animal. Most folks wouldn't want to mess with a rescue that is that bad off.. You desirve some kind of award or cookies or something. Great Job

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I'd do just about anything for freshly baked chocolate chip cookies!!!:D Teej

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Originally Posted by max123

I did read that. Im not trying to be mean. But there not realy rescued if there not being taken care of the way they need.

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man whatever, at least he is making an effort that someone else wasnt. cut the guy some slack.

why didn't YOU go and rescue the python?

Simma down now!

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Originally Posted by bchapman

man whatever, at least he is making an effort that someone else wasnt. cut the guy some slack.

why didn't YOU go and rescue the python?

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FYI MAX123 contacted me weeks ago via PM. He appologized for that post and shared his concerns with me. Everything is good. Thank you all for your support. Teej