Laser Surgery

[guidofatherof5]

This was a rescued red phase female radix from 09. I've notice a small growth on her side for the last few months.
I opened it up a few times to inspect anything inside and felt it was just an infection of some type.
Today, I took her to the Vet. and he recommended laser removal of it.
I only knew about the large area but when he brought her back to me he said he found a smaller growth and removed it also.
She's in a tub with paper towels for a week or so and the open areas are being treated with Silver Sulfadiazine.
She's a beautiful girl and I hope she will be ready for some breeding next Spring.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/laser.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/laser1.jpg

[infernalis]

Hope recovery goes well.

[justme]

Ouch! That's a good sized chunk removed!

You take such wonderful care of your garters; providing them treatment when needed. Good luck with her! ;-)

[gregmonsta]

Fingers crossed for her mate ;)

[i_heart_sneakie_snakes]

Aww, poor girl :( She is very pretty. I hope she has a speedy recovery :)

[jamromhem]

Very gorgeous. and I am glad she is in the track to getting better.. I hope her the best. oh.. and keep me in mind for those babies.. I am still wanting a red phase from when I made that post a year ago.. One would look wonderful next to my checkered.

[reptile65]

I hope she recovers quickly. Thanks for posting this. I'm a pre-veterinary student and I find stuff like this so interesting!

[guidofatherof5]

I'm very fortunate that my Vet. likes garter snakes.
He's also good about giving me a price break on procedures.
He knows that I take in a lot of injuried and rescued snakes.

[guidofatherof5]

Omaha Red as she's called, is doing well but off food at this time.
I attribute this to a change in enclosures and the stress of the procedure.
The surgical areas are looking good.

[guidofatherof5]

Today, Omaha Red decided to start eating(2 night crawlers) again. I've moved her back into her enclosure to reduce any stress.
I don't think she was very comfortable being away from her group. Her incision is looking good and healing nicely.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/laser3.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/laser2.jpg

[reptile65]

She's looking great. Glad to see she's healing well. :)

[Mommy2many]

Good news is always welcome!

[guidofatherof5]

She continues to heal. I did notice she has a little catch in her get-along. I think her incision is still tender.
The nice thing about it is the fact it is high on her side so substrate doesn't get in it. I'm still treating with the Silver Sulfadizine but not everyday.
I think keeping it too moist will not allow it to form a scab the way it should.
I want Nature's bandage to take over.
I expect a recovery shed from her soon.

[guidofatherof5]

Her incision is really looking good. I took a nice photo but I'm still having photo upload problems. I'll get it posted as soon as I can.
Her attitude is back to normal along with her eating habits(eating everything)

[brain]

Good to hear she is recovering nicely.

I would imagine this would leave a scar. You know how vain a woman can be:o

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah, ouch. What a hole. Thing I don't get is the location of the hole in comparison to the original anomaly you found. Any idea what caused the growth in the first place?

Glad she's recovering. She's very pretty.

[guidofatherof5]

Yeah, ouch. What a hole. Thing I don't get is the location of the hole in comparison to the original anomaly you found. Any idea what caused the growth in the first place?

Glad she's recovering. She's very pretty.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean, Richard.
If you are referring to the first photo posted, those are two separate locations where growths were removed.

[ConcinusMan]

I did mean the first two photos. Growth appears to be below the lateral, but there's a hole above the lateral. That's what confused me. Thanks for clearing that up.

[guidofatherof5]

The small area is on her back 1/3rd and the large area is about in the middle of her body.

[guidofatherof5]

I found this beautiful girl dead in her enclosure over the weekend.
I have no idea what could have happened. She was active and a great eater.
I don't believe her death has anything to do with her surgery. She will be missed.

[Stefan-A]

A real shame, Steve.

[gregmonsta]

Sorry to hear that buddy.

[kibakiba]

Oh no! Sorry to hear that she didn't make it. :(

[andycul]

So sorry to hear that she didn't make it