large cut

[snakegirl909]

Hydration is very important. Injured snake sometime neglect the water dish. Be sure he is drinking.

I have a water dish in his tank, but never seen him near it. How can I keep him Hydrated if he won't drink out of a water dish?

[guidofatherof5]

You can't force him to drink but can lead him to the water.

[ConcinusMan]

Believe me, he drinks it. If you don't believe it, take it away for 3 days and watch him guzzle it when you put it back. No, don't do that but I think you get the point. He wouldn't have survived 2 weeks without drinking water especially if he hasn't been eating.

[aquamentus_11]

A skin cleaner/antiseptic with Chlorhexidine gluconate or weak diluted iodine is best. Peroxide damages healthy tissue and the duration of effectiveness is very short.

Awesome. I was just about to say this.

The benefit of the sutures is that the gaps between them will allow for drainage if the area becomes infected. Drainage means no abscess; which is always good. The benefit of the glue is that it will seal the area and prevent infection. The tape is more versatile: laid perpendicular to the wound it'll act like removable sutures (a la steri strips) allowing drainage as long as you leave gaps. If it's laid parallel, it'll obviously seal out infection. I'm not usually a fan of tapes because of the tendency for unwanted dirty things to stick to the adhesive side and introduce infection, but I've never taped a snake so I'd believe these guys if they say it works.

In either case, IRRIGATION with plain clean water is key: it's very hard to over-irrigate a wound. As stated above, make sure foreign materials are removed and then adding neosporin is always a great idea. Over this make sure to also put a sterile gauze dressing over top and I would suggest some kind of waterproof adhesive film (tegaderm is what I'm familiar with) over top. Do not change this for the first 48h. After 48h, the outer layer of skin will have regrown and will be a good barrier against infection. At that point, letting the wound get air is the best thing for it. Dressing changes can be done daily after the first 48h.

All of these materials can be found at larger drug stores or wal-mart (except the suture of course and maybe the tegaderm).

Hope this helps should anyone need it in the future. I may not be a snake expert, but I do know my wounds.

[aquamentus_11]

btw after the first 48, use only gauze dressing

oh and i think i'd hold off on the UVB out of concern for bright light being a stressor on an already stressed snake. i have nothing to back this up though....

[ConcinusMan]

btw after the first 48, use only gauze dressing

oh and i think i'd hold off on the UVB out of concern for bright light being a stressor on an already stressed snake. i have nothing to back this up though....

At this point it's been months so trying to close it up is probably futile. Snakes don't have any use for UV those bulbs are for lizards that require it. But of course, as long as the snake isn't amelanistic and has places to hide, it won't hurt anything either. Fact, it could cut down on bacteria but keep in mind those bulbs only put out UV for about 12 inches and lose their UV output as they age.

[EKS56]

Seems there could be more than one path to recovery. If it were me I don't know that I would do anything. Just make sure water and food are available. I would go with a pinkie, cut it up if it's too small to take it off the tong.

[EKS56]

I had a very educational experience nursing a Black Rat snake back to health earlier this year. To me the wounds looked much worse than what you have. I would not have made a ten cent bet on this snake making it. Here is a link to the thread.

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/gart...ke-rescue.html

[guidofatherof5]

I had a very educational experience nursing a Black Rat snake back to health earlier this year. To me the wounds looked much worse than what you have. I would not have made a ten cent bet on this snake making it. Here is a link to the thread.

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/gart...ke-rescue.html

Great thread.

[aquamentus_11]

yeah i read that one last month actually, another great story. stuff like this really makes me rethink going the human route as opposed to becoming a vet would be great to get these types of injuries and be able to help. maybe in my spare time i can dabble in wildlife medicine.... please keep us posted