Injured snake!

[jillianwaechter]

My ball python was attacked by my cat (100% my fault for not securing properly, I feel like an idiot). He has puncture wounds and scratches. I can't get into any exotic vet clinics for 7 more hours. What do I do in the meantime. I feel terrible and I'm so worried for him.

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[Erie_herps]

For now, set up a quarantine-like enclosure with a small enclosure (like a tub), paper towel substrate, two hides, and a water bowl. You need to get into the nearest exotics vet as soon as you can. How bad are the scratches and wounds? Are there only a few or are they over the whole body? It would be a good idea to give him a bath with something added to clean the wound but I'm not sure what the best thing to use would be, so wait for some input from more experienced keepers.

[Homebody]

Soak him in diluted betadine (1 part betadine to 10 parts water).

[Homebody]

In this video, Lori Torrini discusses how she treated her Children's Python when it was attacked by her cats (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrFNa3DPyFg). She opens the video discussing her carpet python. She begins discussing her Children's Python 7 minutes and 30 seconds in. <Spoiler alert> Her python makes a complete recovery.

[Bogertophis]

Gently clean the wounds with water & apply either dilute Betadine (povidone-iodine is generic) or Vetericyn ointment (water based & version made for reptiles) if you have it (I think Petco may carry it- check local pet stores- it's available online but you need it now). A tiny amount of ointment made for humans (such as Neosporin) is okay IF it's not a "pain relief formula".

Keep your snake calm, in a CLEAN container on white paper towels- about 80- 82*. Is there much bleeding?

By the way, do NOT soak/bathe the snake, as that will make him move a LOT more & struggling will increase bleeding. Just use a clean pad to dab his wounds.

[Bogertophis]

So how is your snake doing? What did the vet have to say? Hoping he makes a good recovery.