Help! Wild injured garter snake

[Myssi24]

Several days of not eating is no big deal but since we are dealing with an injury it's something to be aware of. Is she still moving the same? Same activity level? Quick head movements and the same amount of tongue flicking?

Um, I guess yes to all of the above. She only tongue flicks if there is a worm in her tank. She has only rarely been very active and pretty much only after eating. When she moves she is moving somewhat better. More bending of her body than before. Quick head movements when I accidentally startle her, or if a worm pokes her. Last nigh when I moved her to clean, she was moving a lot without actually changing location. S curving her body a lot with out moving her head, if that makes any sense. Today and yesterday before I cleaned the tank she was moving to actively avoid the food. I would put a worm a few inches in front of her head (same way I've always done) and she would move some times fairly far, to move away.

[guidofatherof5]

I'd give her a couple to 3 days off from offering food.

[Albert Clark]

Even reptile bodies are machines that constantly try to heal themselves. Nice job!

[guidofatherof5]

I would not pick her up unless it is absolutely necessary. How's her pooping? Any and how often? I ask to see if that function has been compromised by the vertebra/nerve injury.

[Myssi24]

I would not pick her up unless it is absolutely necessary. How's her pooping? Any and how often? I ask to see if that function has been compromised by the vertebra/nerve injury.

She is definitely pooping! Hard to say how often when I had the moss in the tank, it hid it too well. She pooped last night.
Speaking of pooping, I sort of accidentally did a float while cleaning the moss I had in there, so I know she has parasites, not surprising since she is wild caught. How careful do I need to be? I have cats in addition to the dog and I don't want to accidentally spread anything to them. Is common sense washing my hands enough?

[guidofatherof5]

You saw worms? Hand washing is all you need.

[Myssi24]

Snakey does not like big worms. I waited 3 days to feed her again as recommended. Today I dug her some fresh worms from the garden and jackpot found a big one! (Still not as big as a nightcrawler bait worm) So figured this one wouldn't smell weird to her! Offered it to her twice today and she turned her nose up to it twice even though once I removed it from the tank she ate a smaller worm. She has had 3 smallish worms today though! Funny how seeing her scarf down a worm makes me smile!

I'm planing on waiting 2-3 days and trying again.

You saw worms?

Yep, little tiny white ones floating in the water in which I was soaking the moss to clean it. Not a lot. I haven't seen any just looking at the poop, but white worms on white paper towels would be hard to see.

[Tommytradix]

Are you cutting the worms up with scissors or leaving them whole?

[Myssi24]

The first time I offered a nightcrawler I cut it. But after checking that she should be able to eat a whole worm I quit cutting them. Do you think that will help? How small?

[guidofatherof5]

So, these worms you saw where from soaking the moss? The snake had no contact with the moss or water before you saw them?