Injured Ball Python

[Strutter769]

Not the best picture. I'll try to get more later. We have both Toffees in an 80 gal (I think) that we divided with some linoleum tile. (I know, bad idea. Financially, we had to make do with what we had.)

I'll have to get to the vet asap, but any advice in the meantime? Ointment? Antibacterial?

[Strutter769]

Sorry, I snapped this one in B/W.

[Lankyrob]

HArd to tell - is it a scrape? Or scale rot? - Do you know what caused it? It may help others to offer advice if you give as much detail as possible.

[Strutter769]

Yeah, sorry the picture isn't very descriptive I guess. It's definitely a laceration. Not scale rot, but the other (I'm really not sure which is which *embarrassed*) is also much drier than expected. Coconut husk bedding (damp, not wet), very large water dish. They've been with me for only a few days and have seemingly both taken a turn for the worse. I've got an appt in the mornin' with the best herp vet around, so I'll let ya know. He said to butterfly it with some Neosporin to keep it dry. I don't have butterfly bandages, so I attempted only the gauze portion of a Band-Aid, with some medical type tape. Needless to say, since I was on my own, and the snake is, well, very snake-like, it'll go uncovered until our appointment tomorrow.

Stay tuned... More details coming up right after the vet visit!

[shaunyboy]

Originally Posted by strutter769

I don't have butterfly bandages, so I attempted only the gauze portion of a Band-Aid, with some medical type tape.

be carefull using tape on a snake,especially when taking it off,keep an eye on its scales as you take the tape off.

tape can pull off part and whole scales,if not done with great care

its hard to tell from the pictures,its a pity the black and white close up,wasn't taken in colour.it makes it hard to tell whats belly scales and whats raw flesh

it looks to me like it require stitches,but i'm unsure if after a certain period of time has passed,a wound cannot be stitched (does anyone know if this is correct please ? )

i would keep the wound clean and a close eye on it until you see the vet.i personally would use white paper towels as substrate,this would give me peace of mind,regards dye from the newspaper entering the wound

i'm sure he's going to make a full recovery and he's in good hands

please let us know how it goes at the vets mate

all the best shaun

[Strutter769]

Originally Posted by shaunyboy

be carefull using tape on a snake,especially when taking it off,keep an eye on its scales as you take the tape off.

tape can pull off part and whole scales,if not done with great care

its hard to tell from the pictures,its a pity the black and white close up,wasn't taken in colour.it makes it hard to tell whats belly scales and whats raw flesh

it looks to me like it require stitches,but i'm unsure if after a certain period of time has passed,a wound cannot be stitched (does anyone know if this is correct please ? )

i would keep the wound clean and a close eye on it until you see the vet.i personally would use white paper towels as substrate,this would give me peace of mind,regards dye from the newspaper entering the wound

i'm sure he's going to make a full recovery and he's in good hands

please let us know how it goes at the vets mate

all the best shaun

Thanks Shaun! Good catch with the paper towels in place of newspaper!

On a good note, he/she did eat this evening, which officially cancels all handling for tomorrow. Complete blank moment as I fed them, completely forgetting about transporting tomorrow.

The other half of the pair (I really need to learn how to sex snakes!) had not eaten at last check. I'll of course leave dinnet in overnight, and am fairly confident it won't be there on the morn. Fingers crossed, ad this is their first feeding under our watch

[alessia55]

Goodness that looks awful! Poor thing I hope the vet can figure out how to heal it fast. Keep us posted about the vet appt. I'm still confused though, how'd it happen??

[Strutter769]

Originally Posted by alessia55

Goodness that looks awful! Poor thing I hope the vet can figure out how to heal it fast. Keep us posted about the vet appt. I'm still confused though, how'd it happen??

I can really only guess, honestly. We attempted to divide a large tank into two smaller, separate enclosures, except it appears the divider didn't quite reach the top and the result was an edge that as it turns out was sharp enough to cause some damage. Entirely our fault, no question. I just really hope it's not a critical or fatal injury.

[alessia55]

Me too! Let us know how it goes. I'll keep my fingers crossed for the little guy

[Strutter769]

Originally Posted by alessia55

Me too! Let us know how it goes.

I promise you I will.

[spots]

I would advise to take the bedding out of the tank that that snake is in so that none of it gets into the wound causing irritation.

[Strutter769]

Originally Posted by spots

I would advise to take the bedding out of the tank that that snake is in so that none of it gets into the wound causing irritation.

Yes! Done. Only newspaper in there now.

[mykee]

That's not a Toffee.

[Strutter769]

Originally Posted by mykee

That's not a Toffee.

Sorry, I miss-spoke(sp.). 50% Het Toffee. I was just thinking positively. (-:

[alessia55]

Originally Posted by strutter769

Sorry, I miss-spoke(sp.). 50% Het Toffee. I was just thinking positively. (-:

Did you go to the vet already?