BP head injury/skin removed

[Kat_aracts]

First of all I'm absolutely horrified. I got a BP from petsmart about a month ago and he was mid shed. Since then nothing has improved. Yesterday I spoke with an employee at PetSmart who said she could help me out and to bring him in the next day (today). So I did and she told me she could gently remove the excess shed with scotch tape and that she did it to her bp all the time. Long story short she ended up ripping skin off the head of my poor Python. She said she would take care of him and take him home and buy me a new one come black Friday. I left him with her with the intent of getting him again once healed.

Now I'm severely regretting that decision and will be swinging by before her shift ends to pick him up. What do I need to do to help him heal? I heard Neosporin is a good thing to put on the wound. Additionally he was supposed to be fed tomorrow. Should I wait to feed him?

Please help I feel so bad for the poor thing.

[dragonight1993]

That's why I never get animals from pet smart they don't know what they're doing. Never use tape on a snake go to this page to help with a bad shed https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...hed-No-problem next time

[cletus]

wow. I don't know what to say.

[EmilyandArlo]

I think it's smart that you are picking her up asap. Clearly, this girl doesn't have the knowledge or judgement to be caring for the snake. This site is a great place to find your information and answer any questions you have in the future


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[BPGator]

I think you should post a pic after you get the snake back so you can be advised properly on how to treat it.


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[Kat_aracts]

I think you should post a pic after you get the snake back so you can be advised properly on how to treat it.


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Will do!

- - - Updated - - -

Lesson unfortunately learned.

[bcr229]

Neosporin without the pain killer will work for a few days. Longer term Vetericyn gel, which you can get at Petco or Amazon, is better since as a water-based gel it doesn't cause scale damage.

I also agree with getting a picture. Did the tape remove just the scales or is this poor snake missing skin as well?

[Miranda]

Oh how awful! Thankfully with proper care, reptiles can heal remarkably well from these kinds of injuries.

[Kat_aracts]

I'm not sure why I'm having issues adding a photo. I went back to the Petsmart after dinner. The lady told me that their vet had looked at him and put some sort of salve on him. It started with an S? They want to hang on to him for 3 weeks. She said the vet would be looking after him and that she got into a lot of trouble. Can't say I'm bummed about her "pain" haha.

EDIT: I did get to see him. That's when I snapped a photo.

[Kat_aracts]

Here we go! My poor baby. EDIT: The white is the salve the vet put on him.