I had to change substrate and my snake made a break for it

[Marzipan]

I had to change the 'substrate' or the towels today, because the ones I was using were too thick and not allowing the heat of the UTH to travel through.

Anyway my snake made a break for it behind her vivarium and I had to properly hold onto her so she didn't drop down the back of the vivarium. Anyway, a very small portion of the scales on her back seemed to come off her back and now I feel really terrible. She is just about to go into shed, but now I'm wondering if she'll start eating badly just because I had to handle her and put her in another box temporarily before the 5-7 days of not handling has elapsed.

Will she be okay or will she have a bad shed now? Ah, I am panicking, I wish I'd just left her alone but it was reading too cool on the heat mat because of the thick layers so I felt I had to change it and now I feel so guilty because she was so scared.

[Marzipan]

When I double checked it is a really, really tiny amount of damage and barely visible. I am just more worried about the psychological effects. I know I shouldn't have handled her on day 4 but I really had to change the temps and the positioning of the probe because I read it was wrong and I feel so bad now.

[Mexecutioner]

Have you got any pics of the damage I think your snake will be fine but if we could see the damage people would be able to give more accurate advice

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[Marzipan]

It basically looks like a tiny bit of shed peeled off. I don't know if it's a good idea to disturb her again yet though.

[Marzipan]

This isn't my snake, but it looked very similar to the tiny bit of raised up shed coming off, although VERY small in and much less loose in comparison; about the size of my smallest fingernail. I think maybe I am worrying a little too much, but that's just me as a person...

[Mexecutioner]

Are scales still there or is it raw flesh under the skin that's coming off

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[Marzipan]

I tried to get a picture but my camera had trouble focusing. There is some loose skin on her back, also some on her stomach, but there is scales beneath both of them since she is going into shed soom thank god...
I can't believe I failed at being an owner so quickly... I feel terrible.

I had to hold her again to put the hide back in and it was a bit more relaxed this time. I hope everything will be okay and I didn't stress her out too much.


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[Craiga 01453]

It's really hard to make a legitimate assessment without a picture of your snake. I certainly understand you not wanting to bother her again, but it's also tough to use a picture of another snake as a reference. I'm guessing you're stressing yourself out too much as well. Don't sweat it, accidents happen and from the sounds of it this one is pretty minor. But, again, it's tough for anybody to really help without seeing the injury. I think your best bet is to get us a pic. You should be able to get her out, snap a few quick pics and put her back without stressing her out too much.

- - - Updated - - -

It's really hard to make a legitimate assessment without a picture of your snake. I certainly understand you not wanting to bother her again, but it's also tough to use a picture of another snake as a reference. I'm guessing you're stressing yourself out too much as well. Don't sweat it, accidents happen and from the sounds of it this one is pretty minor. But, again, it's tough for anybody to really help without seeing the injury. I think your best bet is to get us a pic. You should be able to get her out, snap a few quick pics and put her back without stressing her out too much.

[Kaorte]

Take a breath.

Everything is going to be fine. Keep her on clean paper towels and it will clear up with a couple sheds.

Maybe hold off on feeding for a week to give her some time to heal up.

You are not a bad owner. Accidents happen. Everything will be fine.


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[Marzipan]

Okay, so that image didn't come through at all. Here is a link to a picture http://imgur.com/a/P6QBK - I circled the damage. She also looks a little bit pink on her back in this photo for some reason. I hope it's just the lighting. My heat mat is set not to go above 35 celsius so it shouldn't be a burn.