New owner, old mistake, need conformation on advice to give.

[RoseyReps]

Short story, someone came to me with a medical mishap and needs advice. I want to be clear on the advice before I go spouting off something that is incorrect.

Issue: Tape nightmare. BP got tape stuck near it's neck area, seems to be back/side, not belly.

Current advice/steps taken: He's using olive oil to remove the remaining tape, but there is already skin damage done. I told him to rub oil/pour oil over the site rather than soak the entire bp in it. Working slowly and carefully from the opposite tape end of where he can see damage. I also told him to remove all substrate, put down papertowels and triple check that all his temps are correct. (Reason behind the temp check was because sometimes when using a thicker substrate, the temps read good, and then remove said substrate and the temps shoot up. I know to measure the below substrate temp, but I had a feeling he might not. So I wanted to make sure that was clear)

Question for next steps: I have read that a single soak, maybe two in the next few days of a peroxide or betadine solution. What would be the correct solution dilution? For how long? Next step, assuming there is skin damage/tearing, Neosporin (without pain reliever)? Applied how often? Better solution than neo?

Any help is appreciated, I already gave him the run down of this is why tape is a big no no etc.


Edit: and I noticed I misspelled Confirmation...woops. *bonk self*

[Trackstrong83]

I've had the same situation. But my mistake was putting my bp on my bed when I was cleaning her cage, completely forgetting I was using duct tape to fix something earlier. There was a small piece of tape on my bed that somehow she managed to get under and it stuck to her neck on the top side.

I took a rag and wet it with warm water, and tried to rub the tape off gently, it was making good progress.. Well I had to go to class and I was going to continue to get the tape off afterwards, but somehow she got it off herself!!!

Other than that I can't be of much help

[RoseyReps]

After seeing the picture, I told him Vet, asap. He already called and the vet told him to keep him sterile and use some antibiotic ointment.

*GRAPHIC*

[satomi325]

Ouch.


Betadine solution. You want it diluted until its tea colored. If its just a small area, a bath isn't needed. Just take a cotton ball and swab the area once or twice a day.

Neosporin is bad for the scales if used too often. But I suggest once every other day for the first week. Apply after the betadine swab. Then apply only once or twice a week after the first week for 2 weeks. It should be good enough then that it can heal on its own.

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[jtman]

Oh my gosh! That poor guy.

I have no advice, but I just wanted to say I hope for the best for your friend's BP!

[Marrissa]

Wow! I had no idea that tape would do that much damage. I'm glad I found this place and the warning about tape, which prevented me from making this mistake. I think this pic should go in that thread to reinforce the point. I hope he heals up quickly and without a hitch for you friend. Poor little guy.

[TheSnakeGuy]

So did the tape tear off all the scales leaving raw flesh exposed?

[OsirisRa32]

DONT USE PEROXIDES!!!!

They will oxidize and destroy healthy and exposed cells...they oxidize everything good or bad.

[Pythonfriend]

if the picture shows what i think it shows, then a vet needs to stitch the skin of the snake back together. i mean, surgical suture.


and i agree, i wouldnt experiment with disinfectants that may be too agressive on the exposed flesh. The vet will know what disinfectant to use.

[satomi325]

Betadine is safe. Its just basically diluted iodine.

And I don't think the snake needs sutures. From what I see, its only the subcutaneous layer of skin that is exposed. That will heal fine without stitches.

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