Potential Nerve/Muscle Damage?

[Vanouri]

After a neglectful past owner left Loki alone in an enclosure with a live (and bigger) rat, The little guy sustained some injuries. When I saw him, he had a three inch long scab along his belly, and I recommended that he be taken to a vet for such a large wound on a little snake. I'm not sure if he ever saw a vet, but after adopting Loki, I've noticed he seems to lack control over his tail end. This is especially noticeable in the bath where he flips himself over because his tail locks into position. Does this sound like muscle or nerve damage? Will it effect his ability to breed? Should I take him to the vet for an injury that's already healed?

[bcr229]

If he has no hind end motor control I would forget about using him as a breeder.

As for the vet, it would depend on how long ago the injury was, how well it's healing, does it look infected, etc.

[AllieKin]

If it's totally healed there is probably nothing you can do. No need to go to the vet.

As for breeding... I think the control of the lower end of the tail is vital. Sorry!

[Vanouri]

If he has no hind end motor control I would forget about using him as a breeder.

As for the vet, it would depend on how long ago the injury was, how well it's healing, does it look infected, etc.

It is completely healed and just a scar now, though it feels deep.

[Vanouri]

If it's totally healed there is probably nothing you can do. No need to go to the vet.

As for breeding... I think the control of the lower end of the tail is vital. Sorry!

I thought so, he's such a pretty pastel and I had hoped to breed him eventually. Oh well, he'll make a nice pet then

[Monty's_Mom]

As long as he can poop and urinate, don't be worried.

[DVirginiana]

Are you talking about medical baths to help heal the belly wound or just soaking? If it's just a soak I would stop that completely, putting an animal with any sort of motor difficulties in water is just an accident waiting to happen IMO.

Agree, probably not a good idea to breed one with hind-end nerve damage. Is it just kind of a loss of coordination or complete lack of motor control? Like, can he wrap it around your hand if you put it next to him? Just curious. I have a couple animals with what seem to be long-term neurological issues, so I always like to follow stories like this one. Let us know if you notice a change in his motor ability over time!

[Vanouri]

I soak all of my snakes right before they shed, though I never leave them unattended and the water isn't more than an inch deep. He seems to be able to control the tip of his tail and can hold onto me pretty well. I wish I could upload a video of how he moves, but I'm not sure how to do it on this site.

[DVirginiana]

I'm not sure how to upload video, but could you upload a pic of the injured area? If it was bad enough that the belly scutes were completely removed or something that would definitely affect how he moves. In my experience with garters that had serious nerve damage it just got worse further down from the site of the injury, but that was mostly spinal stuff. Maybe this will be something that improves with time.

[Vanouri]

I don't have him with me right now, but I just uploaded a video I took awhile ago of him here > https://youtu.be/QS-C6PBc_94 Though next time I'm with him, I'll try to get pictures as well. He's a wiggly little guy.