Please Help, lawnmower injury

[0TG]

See if you can upload them yet, Nick. If you can upload, you can post.
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/site...-pictures.html

I cannot upload yet.

I will just post the direct links:

Here is the enclosure he is in right now. I put a small heating pad on the left side and put the halved paper towel tube along the back. I tried to provide hides all over to maximize his use of the heat gradient. I will check the temperature in a few hours. What temperature should I try to aim for on the warm side?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/101_3436.jpg


And here is the wound:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/101_3437.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/101B3440.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/101B3460.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/101B3470.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/101B3480.jpg

I rinsed out the wound with lukewarm water and applied a liberal amount of neosporin. Please be honest and tell me if it's no use as I'd rather euthanize than to keep him alive suffering with no hope.

[0TG]

Oh and I also covered the entire tank with a towel to make him feel more secure.

[adamanteus]

The tank looks great for this situation, Nick, but don't forget the water bowl. Maybe aim for mid to high 80s at the warm end.

The wound does look pretty grim, and I thought the worst untill I saw the close-up where you're holding him.....it might not be so bad. Don't euthanize him just yet, give a couple of days and see how he goes. He's not so small, so forget about feeding him at all for the time being. I feel pretty optimistic, you obviously care and I think you'll be able to turn things around for him. Good luck, Nick, and thanks for sharing the experience and photos with us.

Oh, and welcome to the forum! If he does pull through, why not keep him and join our little community? You're more than welcome.

[0TG]

Thanks for all your help, man.

I made a water dish out of an empty mealworm container that you get in the petstores and stuck it right in the middle of the enclosure to make it easier to find. I really hope this guy pulls through and I just may keep him if he heals!

I'm already the owner of three corn snakes, a green tree python, and I've actually got six more corns making their way here on Wednesday so really what's one more snake?

Thanks for the welcome and again thank you for your help. I'll definitely stick around and keep you all updated.

[adamanteus]

Wow! Chonropython is a fantastic snake, I've kept Corallus caninus but never had a Chrondro. I'd like to see pictures of that.

[0TG]

I'll post some pics maybe later tonight. I have to go finish mowing the lawn. And I swear to God if I run over one more snake I'm going to play the lotto because WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?!??!

[GarterGuy]

Looks like you've gotten some really good advice from James so far Nick. He's very right as far as the big thing here is going to be cleanliness. The wound looks like it's just the skin has been torn away and you're seeing muscle below it. This should heal and I would definitely give him some time (and it will take SOME time) to see how he does. The big thing now is to watch for any infection and just keep things as clean as possible. Very good idea with the towel too......it'll be good to give him some time to settle down from the injury. I know I've found some garters in the wild with some pretty horrific, healed, injuries....so there is hope for your little guy yet. Good luck with him.

Roy

[adamanteus]

Mow slow!! I think you could post pics now...your posts are coming straight into the forum now, rather than into the "moderation queue".

[Lulu Bennett]

I'll post some pics maybe later tonight. I have to go finish mowing the lawn. And I swear to God if I run over one more snake I'm going to play the lotto because WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?!??!

lol you might be best just going over the lawn and makeing sure there is no more lol

[CrazyHedgehog]

Thats where having kids is useful... send them out, if there were any snakes..theyed be long gone!