Help, I think my snake is burning herself!??

[MinoBeri]

Vetericyn is an antiseptic that works well on snakes because unlike Triple or Neosporin it's a water-based gel rather than a petroleum-based ointment. The ointments can cause scales to slough off.

So should i keep using it until the vet takes a look at her? (I'm still planning on taking her just in case there are other issues I don't know about, but i'm planning on using the link, thank you!))

[MinoBeri]

I got everything set up, and she's fine during the day (curled up in her warm hide), but at night she occasionally makes these kinda-hissing sounds (It sounds like she's sighing) when she goes into her warm hide, or just refuses to go inside her hide and tries to find ways out of her tank instead.

I have the thermostat set to keep her warm side around 87-88 degrees Fahrenheit. It that too cold? (maybe that's why she sighs/hisses at night?...I know they're nocturnal, so maybe this is normal?)

[Pezz]

I got everything set up, and she's fine during the day (curled up in her warm hide), but at night she occasionally makes these kinda-hissing sounds (It sounds like she's sighing) when she goes into her warm hide, or just refuses to go inside her hide and tries to find ways out of her tank instead.

I have the thermostat set to keep her warm side around 87-88 degrees Fahrenheit. It that too cold? (maybe that's why she sighs/hisses at night?...I know they're nocturnal, so maybe this is normal?)

Normally i'd say that it's a little low but because he's recovering from a burn so you want a slightly lower surface temp. The hissing could be due to pain but hisses don't sound like sighs. Have the vet check for a respiratory infection when you go in.

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[toriwixom]

Agreeing with the others who replied to this post, you need to turn off the heat pad immediately. Heating pads are bad for snakes simply because they are not regulated. Chances are, you snake stayed in that spot because it was so uncomfortable anywhere else in its habitat. Snakes are docile and shy creatures, which means they need a lot of places to hide. Sadly, in your case, your snake would rather burn than risk being left in plain sight. Therefore, your snake will need more hides, branches, plants, and general husbandry equipment (a heat bulb instead of a pad, thermometers, and hygrometers). Husbandry is the most important part of snake care. Without proper husbandry, your snake will die.

All that being said, you need to seek veterinary attention IMMEDIATELY. Your snake is in A LOT of pain.

[Newbie39]

Agreeing with the others who replied to this post, you need to turn off the heat pad immediately. Heating pads are bad for snakes simply because they are not regulated. Chances are, you snake stayed in that spot because it was so uncomfortable anywhere else in its habitat. Snakes are docile and shy creatures, which means they need a lot of places to hide. Sadly, in your case, your snake would rather burn than risk being left in plain sight. Therefore, your snake will need more hides, branches, plants, and general husbandry equipment (a heat bulb instead of a pad, thermometers, and hygrometers). Husbandry is the most important part of snake care. Without proper husbandry, your snake will die.

All that being said, you need to seek veterinary attention IMMEDIATELY. Your snake is in A LOT of pain.

I believe she has a thermostat now.

[toriwixom]

I believe she has a thermostat now.

Awesome! It takes time, but boosting that husbandry will help significantly.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Heating pads are bad for snakes simply because they are not regulated.

Any unregulated heat source can be bad for an animal.
Lack of research is usually the worst problem.....

[Godzilla78]

Originally Posted by toriwixom
Heating pads are bad for snakes simply because they are not regulated.

Any unregulated heat source can be bad for an animal.
Lack of research is usually the worst problem.....

Exactly. Heating pads are great for snakes, on a proper THERMOSTAT, as any other heater should be also.

[MinoBeri]

Okay! Sorry for the huge gap. I took her to the vet last Friday, the vet I saw was awesome, and started her on the path to recovery. She had to get some of the burned skin removed, yikes, but she's doing a lot better now that I can put the ointment the vet prescribed right on the effected area (Sulphadiazine cream). She's getting antibiotics and pain medication every two days, and even shed last night.

That being said, most of the burned skin came off in her shed, but the burn is still there. It was deep enough that the vet told me there might be some scarring- feeling horrible for keeping her in such a bad tank, but glad I was able to fix what had been going wrong.

The thermostat and thermometers I got are working like a charm, and she seems a lot happier in her new and improved tank and seems much more relaxed with two hides instead of one

Still getting used to the medication schedule, but I'm so relived that she's starting to recover

bad picture quality, but here's a picture of her freshly shed belly- better, but not perfect- 5 days into her treatments



And a bonus, my parents are on board with helping me to get her a bigger tank and a better setup (Backing, stuff to hide in, more hides, etc.) as soon as she's recovered

Thank you all so much for your feedback!

(also, there's nothing wrong with the end of her tail- there was just some shed skin stuck that came off later)

[tttaylorrr]

so happy to read this. i'm glad your snake has you AND your parents in her corner! keep us updated on your noodle's recovery. hoping it all goes well.