substrate for injured snakes

[-MARWOLAETH-]

My marcianus got a belly injury while escaping from his kritter keeper so i put him on paper towel because i heard aspen irritates cuts.He doesn't seem to like paper towel because he can't get much traction,so i was wondering if there are any loose substrates that dont irritate belly injuries?

[chris-uk]

Our guys don't seem to have trouble with kitchen roll, it may be the texture helps with traction. The only issue with kitchen roll is they prefer hiding under it.

[Light of Dae]

Paper towel is the best. I would also put a moist moss hide in there. Sphagnum Moss has anti bacterial properties and is great for healing n proper shedding.

[thamneil]

I concur with the others. Paper is the safest. Once the wound has healed over a bit, she could probably be switched to a loose substrate like carefresh, assuming you are able to keep it clean.

[EasternGirl]

I agree with the others. While the wound is fresh, I would recommend paper as the safest...you don't want anything contaminating the wound. He might not like the paper towels because he can't hide and burrow. Make sure he has plenty of hides to go under and he should feel better about the paper towels. As Neil said, as soon as the wound has closed and there is no risk for contamination, I think carefresh would be okay. Just make sure to treat the wound. I recommend using Hibiclens diluted with water followed by antibiotic ointment...at least once a day for a couple of weeks. If you need specifics on how to use the Hibiclens, just let us know.

[d_virginiana]

Pretty much exactly what everyone else just said :)
btw, if you happen to use neosporin as the antibiotic ointment, make sure to get the kind without pain-killers, as it can irritate snakes' skin even further. The regular neosporin is okay though.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Thanks for the tips guys :D Ill keep him on paper towel for a while ,his cut seems to be healing over and there are no signs of infection so far:)

[guidofatherof5]

William,

Time for an update. Please.

[thamneil]

William,

Time for an update. Please.

Agreed.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

It turns out its was just the opening where the veins connected him to his mother http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQvvxYNKHNpeaWS6h83IPQaMsdPPzRUF nx5vsgzN7KyLzNhxQ73dA

[Invisible Snake]

It turns out its was just the opening where the veins connected him to his mother http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQvvxYNKHNpeaWS6h83IPQaMsdPPzRUF nx5vsgzN7KyLzNhxQ73dA

You mean the belly button?

[guidofatherof5]

It turns out its was just the opening where the veins connected him to his mother http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQvvxYNKHNpeaWS6h83IPQaMsdPPzRUF nx5vsgzN7KyLzNhxQ73dA

Well then.......... thanks for the update.:D Snake belly buttons are very cool.

[ProXimuS]

Umbilical cord maybe?:p(nice pic btw!)

[guidofatherof5]

Umbilical cord maybe?:p(nice pic btw!)

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/umbilical_cord.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/umbilical_cord_1.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/umbil.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//744/medium/belly_button.jpg

[ProXimuS]

That's funny to see a snake with a belly button! I wonder why, if they have umbilical cords, why don't they keep they're belly buttons, like mammals do..? Or do they keep them very faintly?(I've never seen one on my snake)

[guidofatherof5]

That's funny to see a snake with a belly button! I wonder why, if they have umbilical cords, why don't they keep they're belly buttons, like mammals do..? Or do they keep them very faintly?(I've never seen one on my snake)

Friction. The less the better.