Injured Ball Python - Page 3

Lankyrob · 12-19-11, 08:32 AM

In humans once a wound has been open for 24 hours they wont stitch it due to the risk of infection, it is better to let it heal from the inside out and seal itself (stitching heals outside in).

My personal non-vetinary opinion is to keep it clean as possible and let nature take its course - keep an eye on humidity as he may shed a couple of times in quick succession to aid the healing process.

ZARADOZIA · 12-19-11, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakey-Jay-BRB

Is feeding wise with an open wound on the neck like that? Just got to ask, your still going to the vets right? Good luck.

He will need all the nutrients he can get to heal, without the proper fuel (food) the injury will not heal properly. Not much different than when someone has stomach surgery or colon surgery, you must eat so your body has the required nutrients to heal itself. It will be uncomfortable, but a necessary evil, which is why I suggested smaller prey, to minimize the uncomfortablness of it.

Strutter769 · 12-19-11, 08:52 AM

Zaradozia- Without pain relief - Got it! Yesterday was the normal feeding day. We thought the same, in that a smaller prey item would be best. He took it just fine, with apparently no ill effects.

Jay, if things change or worsen in any way, we will be off to the vet.

SnakeyJay · 12-19-11, 10:26 AM

Thanks for clearing that up for me, was interested in whether to feed or not to feed lol... I'm happy he took it ok for you.

Strutter769 · 12-19-11, 07:45 PM

Well, the uninjured BP did not eat last night. No vet visit this morning.

On a much brighter note, I am not sure it is a laceration. I think it is more of a tug, or a stretch of the skin. Remember, there was no blood at all.

Ok, someone who shall remain nameless (but who is mentioned in my sig.), was not aware that when you heat a self-adhesive linoleum tile, the adhesive melts and the tiles slide apart, exposing very sticky surfaces. Those are not good to have near reptiles, especially of the legless variety.

So, skipping the gory details in my imagination of this happening, I think this could be good news.

We'll see.

I promise more pics in the next 48hrs. I don't want to muck with her tonight since she did eat.

I know this looks terrible and irresponsible for someone doing this as long as I, someone who is totally stricken with the idea of breeding in the near future. I know better than this, WE know better than this. All is fixed now with a piece of foam, designed to be a background in an enclosure now separating the two.

More details to come .... Stay tuned!

shaunyboy · 12-19-11, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

is that a loose flap of skin i see in the picture,dangling down from his/her neck ?

if it is then that and keeping the wound clean would be my main concern.

if its a flap of skin that can't be stitched back into place,then i'm sure the vet would advise on,trimming it off or leaving it to die and drop off

my worry would its getting a blood supply,so would not drop off but continue to trail from his/her neck

cheers shaun

Strutter769 · 12-19-11, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaunyboy

is that a loose flap of skin i see in the picture,dangling down from his/her neck ?

if it is then that and keeping the wound clean would be my main concern.

if its a flap of skin that can't be stitched back into place,then i'm sure the vet would advise on,trimming it off or leaving it to die and drop off

my worry would its getting a blood supply,so would not drop off but continue to trail from his/her neck

cheers shaun

My feeling is yes, it's a flap of skin, not an actual cut. Good point about the blood flow. Tomorrow afternoon I'll give him/her a good soak, new paper towel and some better pictures.

Cheers,

Strutter769 · 12-23-11, 10:59 PM

Update: Sorry for the delay.... last few days have been crraaaaazzy! Anyway, if really appears to by skin only. No actual "intrusion" of the skin, if you will. Soaked him/here for a good 30-40 minutes on a damp rag, cotton swab etc...etc...

I have a question..... is the snake's perception of pain fully "understood?" In other words, is it a good thing it doesn't "seem" to hurt the snake when we cleaned and investigated the injury. Is that a good sign?

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!

Strutter family

ZARADOZIA · 12-24-11, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strutter769

Update: Sorry for the delay.... last few days have been crraaaaazzy! Anyway, if really appears to by skin only. No actual "intrusion" of the skin, if you will. Soaked him/here for a good 30-40 minutes on a damp rag, cotton swab etc...etc...

I have a question..... is the snake's perception of pain fully "understood?" In other words, is it a good thing it doesn't "seem" to hurt the snake when we cleaned and investigated the injury. Is that a good sign?

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!

Strutter family

I'm not sure. Animals react to pain differently than humans. He may not feel any pain at all or he may trust you enough that he knows you are trying to help him. Animals do have a sixth sense when it comes to us trying to help them. I have dealt with many wild animals that I KNEW were in great pain because of lacerations but they remained calm and allowed me to minister to them. They knew I was trying to help them. Same for my cats, Fritz was always getting into trouble when he was younger and one day he came home with the side of his leg skinned. There was no skin on a 5 inch stretch. It hurt me just looking at it. But he laid there calmly while I doctored it and remained calm during the entire vet visit. He groowled a couple of times, but that was it.

Maybe invest in some pinkies or fuzzies while he heals? I'm jsut guessing at this point but he may feel more discomfort on the inside from bruising.

Strutter769 · 01-13-12, 04:14 PM

Update: After three (3) feedings and a shed (albiet not a great shed), this injury is nothing more than a couple of misplaced scales. I'll try to remember to get pics soon.

ZARADOZIA · 01-14-12, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strutter769

Update: After three (3) feedings and a shed (albiet not a great shed), this injury is nothing more than a couple of misplaced scales. I'll try to remember to get pics soon.

Hip Hip Hooray!!!

spots · 01-14-12, 09:10 AM

Pics Strutter Pics!!!!!!!

shaunyboy · 01-14-12, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strutter769

Update: After three (3) feedings and a shed (albiet not a great shed), this injury is nothing more than a couple of misplaced scales. I'll try to remember to get pics soon.

thats great news mate

look forward to the pictures,as it will be interesting to see the difference after a shed

cheers shaun

Snakefood · 01-18-12, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

In humans once a wound has been open for 24 hours they wont stitch it due to the risk of infection, it is better to let it heal from the inside out and seal itself (stitching heals outside in).

My personal non-vetinary opinion is to keep it clean as possible and let nature take its course - keep an eye on humidity as he may shed a couple of times in quick succession to aid the healing process.

In dogs, the general rule is 24 hrs, no stitches (as Rob said for humans, but also there is the rate od death of the tissue that has been cut. After even 3-4 hrs, most time the edges of the gash have to be "debrided" or cut back to living tissue in order for the 2 sides to heal together

Strutter769 · 01-18-12, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spots

Pics Strutter Pics!!!!!!!

You've got it, Jimi! Click here: http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/pytho...h-heather.html