Tape in terrarium!!!

[VEXER19]

2 weeks ago I was looking for Kira my Albino BP and couldn't find her. Next thing I realize she was on her vine in the top right hand corner and I was like there you are. I had just put a new backdrop in her cage and somehow some of my industrial strenth velcro stuck to it without me noticing with the sticky side exposed!!! I found her stuck to the tape on her belly about 3" below her head and had twisted and about pulled all the scales in a 1'' section of her belly off. I immediately got her free and been taking care of her for about 2 weeks now using a 50/50 mix of warm water and hydro peroxide. Then drying her and applying bacitracin or neosporin. She just ate last Saturday for the first time which made me so pleased. Even though I feel terrible and about died from putting my BP in harms way I just have to post this so people can see just a reminder to double check you terrariums or cages or however you house you repti friends. But glad to report that she is back to her usual self and wiill have a nice scar when this is over but Im just happy she is ok. She is all closed up and still waiting for the skin she nearly ripped off to die and fall off so she doesnt have it hanging off her neck anymore. I just feel like such an ass for letting this happen to her. Hopefully I can forgive myself in time.

[Kinra]

I'm sorry she got hurt, but I'm glad she's doing well.

I just want to throw this out there for anyone who ever has a snake get stuck on something sticky. Use a little bit of cooking oil, it helps get them unstuck without hurting them. Just remember to wash them off afterwards. That being said, it's best to avoid this in the first place.

[cmack91]

also, this is why you put any backdrops or foil on the outside of the glass, that way you have nothing to worry about

[pretzelstickz]

Do not beat yourself up about it. I am sorry about your girl, but atleast you caught it quickly. Also remember that peroxide can make the healing process slow because it kills bacteria but also new cells so I wouldn't use it unless needed. The ointment should be enough.


~Emily

[pretzelstickz]

It is good to wash out wounds at first but isn't needed after once or twice


~Emily

[aldebono]

I agree with pretzel!

Hydrogen peroxide and betadine both slow and kill the new growing skin cells. It is fine for a first initial cleaning but after that, they should not be used.

Also, to get stuck animals off of tape or a sticky trap, use olive, mineral or any food grade oil to gently free them. Learned that on here!

[VEXER19]

Thanks for all your insight on this topic. I will let you know that since her wound closed I am only using neosporin once a day for the healing process. I stopped using hydro peroxide on it. I research about my BP's health since I am in the medical field myself so it interest me to see how my BP differs from my dogs and myself. Learning more and more every day and Im glad I found this site. Just want to help protect all the future reptile parents out there with their babies. Once again, thank you all.

[aldebono]

I have spoken to two (and I know that's like all the vets in the world) vets about the betadine/hydro perox and they have said the same thing.

[rabernet]

Thank you for sharing your experience. It's one reason why you'll often see some of us lose our minds when someone posts about taping ANYTHING inside an enclosure, but it often seems to be probes that people will tape inside their enclosures.

And why we warn - no tape EVER inside an enclosure. It's good that you found her when you did, and I'm so glad to hear that she's recovering for you!

[VEXER19]

Just for the record I just want everyone to know that I didnt try and tape the backdrop to the inside. Velcro tape I had out for a different project was just out and crap happens. But to stress even more how lucky I am that I found my baby in time is that if she was stuck to it a few more hours and kept struggliing which it appeared like she had already stopped, who knows if I would still have her today. I love all my pets and tend to them constantly. It was just a flook accident and their are other factors involved that I can't bring up (just trust me on that) that led to this unfortunate accident. Soon I will try and post pics of what happened along with updated pics of her progression in healing. But I do say again that she is good, happy, well and feeding. Thanks for all of your support once again.