Rehabilitation/Burn care?

[madmoxxiie]

I rescued a ball python from an abandoned apartment a couple of weeks ago, and 2 days after I took her home, her she appeared to start blistering. She has multiple red spots, as well as an open wound. I've been applying A&D ointment, but I'm not sure it's enough.

Her previous situation was pretty rough, and she's come a long way in recovery, but is there anything else i can do to speed it along? I really hate seeing her like this😕

[Fazer72110]

Your pictures aren't showing up, atleast not for me. This will show you how to upload them: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-Post-Pictures

I have been treating a burned snake I got from someone for months with tremendous success so far. I got a lot of great advice in this thread I created:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=236539

My care method is outlined in there somewhere, and it did change a bit after getting advice so read it completely. A few questions. How do you have him setup? Is the wound infected? Indicators would be foul smell or oozing. If its infected your only option is to go to a vet for antibiotic injections. If possible take him to a vet regardless. Please upload pictures of the wounds when you can.

And good on you for helping the little guy!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Given it's been abandoned, is blistering the best thing for you to do is taking the snake to a vet to get it assessed, not just the burn but everything else.

In the mean time make sure to keep the animal on clean paper towel, and clean the area with betadine.

[madmoxxiie]

Your pictures aren't showing up, atleast not for me. This will show you how to upload them: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-Post-Pictures

I have been treating a burned snake I got from someone for months with tremendous success so far. I got a lot of great advice in this thread I created:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=236539

My care method is outlined in there somewhere, and it did change a bit after getting advice so read it completely. A few questions. How do you have him setup? Is the wound infected? Indicators would be foul smell or oozing. If its infected your only option is to go to a vet for antibiotic injections. If possible take him to a vet regardless. Please upload pictures of the wounds when you can.

And good on you for helping the little guy!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Here's a picture from today



And here's a picture from 2 weeks ago, for progress comparison



Sorry, I was using my phone and didn't realize there was an app i could use!

It isn't oozing, and nothing is open at this point. Right now I have her in a 40 gallon tank with a carpet liner, a large water dish, some foliage, and a half log for hiding. Heat source is an under tank pad, and I keep the tank floor at about 85-90 degrees. Humidity is 55-60 consistently. She seems to like her leaves more than anything for hiding.

We don't have any heat lamps or anything like that on the tank.

I just don't know what else I can do to help and unfortunately the only vet that sees exotic animals is 40 minutes from here

Sent from my SM-J700T using Tapatalk

[madmoxxiie]

I'll have to get some better pictures here in a bit when I get home. Honestly my heart breaks for this poor girl. She's only 18 inches long, and a little more than 2 years old. Absolutely so friendly and loving and wonderful. I'd like to do everything in my power to get her healthy so she doesn't have to be in this condition anymore.



Sent from my SM-J700T using Tapatalk

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Remove the carpet as it is ground for backteria, nothing worst than reti-carpet, replace with clean paper towel.

Also downsize the enclosure to a 15 quarts tub, 40 gallons is way too big for an animal that size and will only add to the stress which is the last thing this animal need at this time.

I assume you do have have a thermostat?

And go to a vet, you took in at rescue that means you are taking responsability for this animal that includes a vet visit.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[PitOnTheProwl]

I just don't know what else I can do to help and unfortunately the only vet that sees exotic animals is 40 minutes from here

Then you should find someone that can take care of it.
A responsible keeper of any animal should always put the animal first.

[bcr229]

Follow what Deb said about the setup. Burns get infected very easily, so that snake needs a minimal setup - just clean paper towel, two hides, and a water bowl. No other décor. Clean and sanitize everything when the snake makes a mess.

Until you can get it to a vet you can apply diluted betadine to the area, mix it with water so it looks like a weak tea. If you have a Petco nearby they carry Vetericyn gel, that will also help and is better for long-term use than Triple or Neosporin for reptiles as it doesn't cause scale damage like petroleum-based ointments can. Otherwise you can order it from Amazon.

The vet will likely prescribe injected antibiotics to fight off a systemic infection, to help prevent those wounds from going septic and killing the snake.