Russian rat got into trouble

[Obsidian_Dragon]

So my little Russian rat, Natasha, escaped last night. We found her today stuck to some tape on the back of our fridge.

We freed her and she seems to have sustained only minor scale damage. I've treated her with a betadine soak/antibiotic ointment, just in case. Right now she's laying in a critter keeper until we finish escape proofing her home, clearly wiped out.

I don't think she needs a vet, although there is a snake vet nearby if needed.

Anything I should do other than keep her on paper towels for awhile? Should I repeat the bath later in the week? I think it was MOSTLY surface damage, but there was a teeeeny spot of blood on the paper towel after I dried her off.

Would keeping her warmer than normal also be a good idea? Right now, since she's just in a critter keeper, I have her in the warmest room of the house. Napping seems to be her priority, and I can't blame her. I'll put her back in her normal enclosure, albeit stripped of most of her fun toys, later.

Today was feeding day, and as she's just post shed (sigh), she should be pretty hungry. I'm going to TRY to offer her food later, too, when she's rested some more. I figure a smaller than normal meal should be okay.

[Sylphie]

Uhh, firstly, good that you find her, and that she don't survive too much damage!

I would keep her on paper towels, feed her as always, and give her a water bowl. Don't raise the temps, Russians rather don't like it, and it can stress her more (although they are really strong, and can be okay in both too low and too high temps). If she was still in your house then I won't go to the vet (but if the skin that was damaged will get worse then of course better to check it).

Don't worry too much, she'll be fine

[Jrich]

I found my rosy boa with her head cocooned in duct tape in the middle of the night not long ago after she had escaped. It looked as if she was a goner. She was struggling to breathe. I rubbed olive oil with a q-tip where the tape was stuck and slowly but surely it came clean off. Although she did have minor scale damage from her thrashing about. I can only imagine how exhausting it is for a snake. I did some adjustments in her cage and put paper towels down so I could keep an eye on her more easily. She went right back to eating a few days later. Best of luck, hope your guy is ok.

[Albert Clark]

Congrats on finding her! Paper towels definitely, everything else you seem to have down pat. Hope she heals up quickly. Please make sure to do a good job escape proofing the enclosure.

[Obsidian_Dragon]

Oh, her tub has been turned into a proper snake jail now. We also screened off the ventilation holes, as we think she actually got out of one of those!

I waited to offer food until she was (slowly) poking around herself, and she did take the pinkie! She should be okay. (I hope!)

[Sylphie]

Any update how is she now?

[Albert Clark]

Now that's what I call escape proof Obs! Great job. Good thinking!

[prairiepanda]

Sounds like she'll be fine Have you got any photos of her injury? Since there was a bit of blood, you'll want to make sure to keep it disinfected.

[Albert Clark]

I can't get over how much it really looks like a jail cell! That is too funny.

[Mikoh4792]

Lol that's some serious escape-proofing

[SeaStorm]

Nice new enclosure! Haha. What kind of tub is that if I may ask?

[Obsidian_Dragon]

SeaStorm, it's just a tub I picked up in Target, haha.

Anyway! Little Miss Mischief has shed once--now she has a funny little "bald" spot, but I decided she was recovered enough to free her from the cardboard kingdom. It still looks like a jail cell, just now will more interesting stuff in it.

Injury before shed:


The shed:



I don't have any good photos of what it looks like now--she's not one for staying still and being photographed. Another shed or two and perhaps it'll go back to normal.



She's much happier to have her stuff back.

[Sylphie]

Glad she's okay and happy!