My injured snake..

[guidofatherof5]

Today someone wanted to meet her so I was holding her and she was being pretty calm but she was making a noise I have not heard from her before. I'm guessing it was a hiss? But that is not the right onomatopoeia it was more like a "pfff" I heard it twice when I was holding her.

When I put her in the take I saw her go to the water for the first time without me encouraging it. She put her whole body in there, not at the same time, but more like slithering through it haha. She even slipped in at one point and kind of panicked, you could see air bubbles coming out. The water is only 3 inches deep maybe.

While she was wading I heard her make the noise again and open her mouth and being real active. I offered her a night crawler, from my hand just kind of dangled it in front of her and she wasn't interested.

Is this noise unusual or mean anything?

Could be part of her injury.
I think you have a long road ahead of you and I want to thank you again for taking the time with her.

[Hankj]

Now I will try to chop it up and even try some live guppies tomorrow. but it's only been a week and a half that she came out of brumation, should I be getting disappointed if she's still not eating?

[guidofatherof5]

Not at all at this point in the game.
The injury is the main concern.

[Hankj]

What can I do for the injury? I think the lamp I got her only gets the temp to the upper 70s.. should I buy a heat mat for her also?

[guidofatherof5]

What can I do for the injury? I think the lamp I got her only gets the temp to the upper 70s.. should I buy a heat mat for her also?

I would recommend it.
Raising the temp will help the healing process.
I think your hands are tied when it comes to this head injury. Your doing the best you can for her.
Does she have any other areas on her body. My concern is that she may have been run over more then once.
When she moves does it appear shes able to control her movement?

[Hankj]

I haven't noticed anything very concerning on the other parts of her body, some marks but nothing that looks bad like her head. I'll check tomorrow when I get home.

I rode on the path for 45 minutes and then turned around, I found her on my way back, probably about 20 minutes on my way back. I didn't notice her on my way out, but doesn't mean I couldn't have missed her. The bike path wasn't crowded though, it was chilly.

And she does seem to have pretty good control of herself, I think. Should she be able slither up the side of the tank? Because she can only get about half way and she falls down the side. I have seen her move around and climb and she doesn't seem to clumsy, but I am new to snakes. Except, on the water bowl today she seemed clumsy, but that could have been because it is a plastic bowl and she was wet, yeah?

[guidofatherof5]

This type of injury could be a slow healing thing.

[Hankj]

How long can she go without eating?

[guidofatherof5]

Garter snakes can go months in some situation(brumation/drought) but you have a different situation all together.
This snake needs to eat to provide fuel to repair the injuries.
Stay grounded in the fact that she may not make it but hope for the best.
She is in our prayers here in Iowa.
I would work at upping the heat to 80-83 degrees. This will allow her to choose the warm spot when she needs to.
Be careful that a bottom heater doesn't get to hot as she may not be able to sense the heat as well because of the head injury.
You may also see if you can find a reptile Vet. in your area that might donate some time to her. Many Vets. understand the whole money situation and the fact it's a wild snake. If the laws won't allow them to treat her they give you some advice in the area of treatment.
It's worth a few phone calls.

[EasternGirl]

Yes...Steve said it best..I would try to call a vet and at least get some advice. Steve, maybe you could repost that link for reptile vets for Hankj. I wouldn't worry too much about her not being able to slither up the tank...Selena only gets half way up and then falls down too...I think they just can't get up that far. If she is crawling around and stuff, that is good. But you do have to prepare yourself...because you have no idea of knowing the full extent of her injuries. It is so wonderful that you are trying to help her though. Make sure that you have a good amount of substrate above the heat pad so she doesn't get burned...and that she has a cool side of the tank to retreat to. Keep us informed...my prayers are with you too.