Burn Recovery, Not Eating

[lycangoddess]

I have a 200 gram male bp, Vinny, recovering from thermal burn (I did not inflict the burn. Accidental via pet store). There are no reliable herp vets in my area, and this is the first snake I have ever owned (I have previous experience with bearded dragons), so I am relying on any shreds of information from the internet I can find. So far, it has been three weeks since the initial burn. I have been using iodine and neosporin cream, with 2-3 soaks a week, and paper towel substrate. Currently, most of the burned area has dead flesh sloughing off and new white skin showing underneath. I'm taking this as a good sign.
My concern now is getting him to eat. My fiancé (my cheerleader and mother hen) tells me that he needs to eat in order to shed the burned skin of fully. I know the food needs to be smaller than normal, and according to the pet store I got him from, he was eating live rat hoppers and had a good appetite. I have tried offering down to fuzzy mice, but he won't touch food. Because of his size and his healing injury, how concerned should I be with Vinny not eating? And is there anything else beyond what I'm currently doing to help him heal?

[Skiploder]

I have a 200 gram male bp, Vinny, recovering from thermal burn (I did not inflict the burn. Accidental via pet store). There are no reliable herp vets in my area, and this is the first snake I have ever owned (I have previous experience with bearded dragons), so I am relying on any shreds of information from the internet I can find. So far, it has been three weeks since the initial burn. I have been using iodine and neosporin cream, with 2-3 soaks a week, and paper towel substrate. Currently, most of the burned area has dead flesh sloughing off and new white skin showing underneath. I'm taking this as a good sign.
My concern now is getting him to eat. My fiancé (my cheerleader and mother hen) tells me that he needs to eat in order to shed the burned skin of fully. I know the food needs to be smaller than normal, and according to the pet store I got him from, he was eating live rat hoppers and had a good appetite. I have tried offering down to fuzzy mice, but he won't touch food. Because of his size and his healing injury, how concerned should I be with Vinny not eating? And is there anything else beyond what I'm currently doing to help him heal?

He does not need to eat in order to shed.

I would forego the soaks as they are most likely stressing the animal, which is bad for both his appetite and overall health.

The best thing you can do is to get your hands on some silver sulfadiazine cream for that burn. You need a prescription for it.

If you see a vet for other pets (or if you can post the area you live in - maybe a member here can help you find one) I would strongly recommend calling, explaining the situation and asking it they well sell the silver sulfa to you. If need be, ask them if you can skip bringing the snake in. If they hesitate, tell them you will pay an exam fee in order to get the cream. It really is the best thing you can apply to a burn.

[Lizardlicks]

Actually, you can buy small containers of silver sulfadiazine cream online without a prescription, you'd just have to wait for shipping if you go that route. Sounds like he's already healing pretty nicely so far. Best thing to do to get him eating is like Skip said, reduce his stress and let him relax a little. Keep an eye on his weight while he's off feed and he'll eat when he's ready.

[bcr229]

The best thing you can do is to get your hands on some silver sulfadiazine cream for that burn. You need a prescription for it.

http://www.mountainside-medical.com/ will sell it and ship it without a prescription. Search for it on their site under "silvadene" or "silver sulfadiazine".

[DVirginiana]

If you ever do need a prescription for anything, a lot of regular small animal vets will prescribe it for you if you go in knowing exactly what you need.

[lycangoddess]

All things are good to know and really helping!

Totally right about the shed, as well. His eyes are blue as of this morning, so I'm expecting him to shed completely in the next few days. I am price-compairing silvadene online, and I should *hopefully* have some soon. Thanks for the help :-D