Mouse Bite?

[nightwolfsnow]

I was looking over Orochimaru after I took him out to clean his tank before feeding and noticed this. I'm guessing its a mouse bite, it wasn't there when I looked him over before I fed him last. Just want to know for sure that's what it is. It looks like a puncture to me, not a slice or abrasion. Running to the store real quick to get regular neosporin. He is still cruising for food, but I want to treat the wound before I feed him. I had actually just switched to paper towels, so we're good there. I will look for betadine also. I've been planning on trying to switch him to f/t anyways, I have two live mice left.

[nightwolfsnow]

I was so ready for Orochimaru to put up a fight when I tended to his wound. He just stayed curled on the snake hook staring at me. Didn't flinch at all for the betadine or neosporin. Gave him his mouse afterwards and now he is relaxing. He has part of his body in his water dish, not sure if its where the bite is though. Also don't know if he's doing that on purpose because He dunked the mouse into the water and ate it there. I'm assuming it won't hurt him to drink the water before I change it? I'm going to change it as soon as he gets out of the bowl anyways.

[Ax01]

i'm not sure if that's a mouse bite, but it seems to be on along the umbilical cord line. treat it, monitor it and see if it comes off with the next shed or so.

[nightwolfsnow]

i'm not sure if that's a mouse bite, but it seems to be on along the umbilical cord line. treat it, monitor it and see if it comes off with the next shed or so.

Now that you mention the umbilical cord line, I think it is. Wonder what would cause it to do that.

[Ax01]

i'm not sure if that's a mouse bite, but it seems to be on along the umbilical cord line. treat it, monitor it and see if it comes off with the next shed or so.

Now that you mention the umbilical cord line, I think it is. Wonder what would cause it to do that.

not sure. it could have re-opened as a small wound somehow/someway or some grime got in between the scales there. I hope other peeps will chime in with their thoughts too.

[nightwolfsnow]

Two days after first treatment.


Two days after second treatment.

[Ax01]

looks like he's healing nicely from whatever caused that mark. just some discoloration that should come off with a nice shed or two.

[nightwolfsnow]

Orochimaru shed and it looks like he's just about healed up. Still have no idea what would cause his umbilical line to reopen. Maybe its from when he climbs up the side of the tank.



Mr. Sassy Scales did not want me looking at it.

[piedlover79]

I don't know what caused this, but it looks all fixed.

I worked in a pet store for a while and I had a very angry mother come back with the ball python baby that she had bought from us *demanding* to know what surgery the snake had had because of the umbilical line.

She was very embarrassed when I explained the line.

[Albert Clark]

Well, if you are feeding live then it's possible the injury could have come from the claws of the mice feet. They are very sharp as are the teeth. So, it could be several causes but for sure it centers around the live mouse more than anything else. Just my .02 cents. Beautiful reptile btw. Feed f/t so he doesn't get scarred up. If e feedings he'll switch over. Good luck. Try to monitor those live feedings as much as possible to avoid accidents and injury to the bp in the future.