Help! BP hurt :(

[mechnut450]

I agree have a vet check incase any muscle damamge and such, keep on paper towels for at least 2-3 sheds as it will bleed the first couple shed. and if you don't neo it put some liquid bandaid on it to prevent infection, and as well to help keep dry. I wait at least 1 full shed or ( vet oking about feeding but i only offer prekilled so notot cause a lot of future damage ( from struggling prey) I also bumpe the temps up a couple degrees so the snake have a higher mateblism ( spelling) to promote a a healthier immune system during this time.

[ScubaRyan]

I got home from class tonight with the Betadine and Polysporin and applied the Betadine and then wiped off it off and applied the polysporin. She really didn't like the Betadine being poured over it but she didn't hiss or strike or anything. She coiled around my wrist and hung off after i wiped her off and let me put the polysporin on without any fuss. I also changed the bedding from newspaper to paper towels just to be on the safe side.

The wound doesn't look as red as it did this morning so hopefully it'll heal quickly. I scheduled a vet appointment for Thursday at 3:30pm. I'll ask about feeding and see if they say to do anything differently with the wound. For now i'll just continue with the Betadine and Polysporin and changing her bedding daily.

Is Betadine and Polysporin once at night and once in the morning too excessive?

Also, I feel like this would make a great warning sticky. This happens far too often.

I searched for snakes and tape injuries after the fact and there are a lot, not necessarily on this site, but several hits pop up. A lot of them involve much worse cases then mine, but it still is easily preventable. I feel bad for having to learn a lesson the hard way and her suffering from it. I'm expecting a bite as revenge when she heals!

I feel a nice boaphile cage is in order for her when she gets older!

The only thing thats annoying me now is the fact that some people (family and friends) think I should just continue with what has been suggested and skip the vet since the vet cost will be a lot more than the snake was worth. I asked them if they got a dog/cat for free/cheap would they take the risk and not visit a vet? Some people just don't get what people see in reptiles! Regardless of the pet, you should take responsibility and give them the care they need if something is to occur.

[stratus_020202]

I feel a nice boaphile cage is in order for her when she gets older!

Tubs work wonders too. Especially the clear ones. Just like short aquariums, but with much easier humidity and they hold heat really well. She's a nice looking girl btw.

[TessadasExotics]

The only thing thats annoying me now is the fact that some people (family and friends) think I should just continue with what has been suggested and skip the vet since the vet cost will be a lot more than the snake was worth. I asked them if they got a dog/cat for free/cheap would they take the risk and not visit a vet? Some people just don't get what people see in reptiles! Regardless of the pet, you should take responsibility and give them the care they need if something is to occur.

That's up to you. We have treated wounds just as bad ourselves with no problems. It's amazing how fast and how well snakes(living creatures in general) can heal. The real factor is keeping it clean and infection free. If you can do that, then I am willing to bet it will heal just fine. Do like others have already told you and you should be fine.
You can skip feeding it for a few weeks to be on the safe side. I bet it will be healed up pretty good within a couple of weeks.

[J.Vandegrift]

Looks like it should heal up ok. They are tough animals. Also, you should dilute the betadine before applying it. The surgeons at the hospital I work at dilute it with 30 parts water or saline to one part betadine. They say more than that can actually damage the tissue. Personally I wouldn't bother with putting anything on the wound at this point. I think it will heal fine either way and there is probably not much point in stressing him out applying anything.

[ScubaRyan]

Looks like it should heal up ok. They are tough animals. Also, you should dilute the betadine before applying it. The surgeons at the hospital I work at dilute it with 30 parts water or saline to one part betadine. They say more than that can actually damage the tissue. Personally I wouldn't bother with putting anything on the wound at this point. I think it will heal fine either way and there is probably not much point in stressing him out applying anything.

Yeah, i only did the betadine once and didn't put much and then wiped it off afterwards and applied the polysporin. She doesn't seem to mind me rubbing it on her neck, touch the top and she flips though.

Anybody think I should remove the 2 logs in her enclosure? She's always on them at night and sometimes during the day

[stratus_020202]

I think I would. It's better to be safe than sorry.

[tiny_tiger60978]

Sounds like you're keeping it clean for him/her at least, so that's the most important part. I wouldn't really worry about putting too much medicine on your snake unless they start getting really stressed out.


" It's amazing how fast and how well snakes(living creatures in general) can heal. "

This however...when my snake got a cut, it took 2 months to heal. My vet kept stressing how slow snakes are when it comes to healing a flesh wound. Nothing to really worry about, just don't think in a week he/she will be good as new.

As far as feeding goes, I fed mine (several) pinkies while she was healing from her cut, though it was a little further down her "neck". What really freaked me out was that she wouldn't kill them, she just ate them and you could see them moving while she swallowed... (Vet confirmed this was not anything to worry about because it was such small prey for her and the pinkies weren't strong enought to hurt her, even while kicking around inside...)

All I can say is good luck. I think we're all hoping for the best!

[ScubaRyan]

Went to the vet and she said she should heal up just fine. Told me to put her on a bath towel or pillow case as newspaper and paper towels both could cause abrasion. She also told me to remove the logs and replace 1 when she is about to shed. As well as to soak her for 10 min after her eyes clear.

She also told me to use the Betadine and dilute it a little bit as you guys suggested. She also gave me an aloe based anti-botic (Healx - Soother Plus cream) to put on afterwards twice a day instead of the Polysporin. She also recommended (as some of you did) to go down in prey size. She recommended to wait another week to feed her 2 hoppers instead of her usual 1 small adult mouse.

She also said i'll most likely not be seeing much more improvement until she sheds, and 2-3 sheds is a more realistic result to see results. She even said she should regrow the scales that she lost, but they may be slightly different. Here's to fast healing for her!

[sarahlovesmiike]

I'm glad you took her to the vet! I had a rescue that was attacked by a rat (previous owners negligence) which was pretty infected when i got her. The vet gave her an antibiotic shot and some polysporin to put on it every day. Within two or three rapid sheds (she went into shed immediately after shedding) the wound was completely gone. Her snout is a little darker now, but it totally healed in less than two months.

Good luck! Post progress pics along the way, I'd like to see how it heals