Dog bit wild garter

[ConcinusMan]

Of course I'm sure I don't have to remind you to apply sparingly. You don't want it getting into the mouth or nose area.

I does sound like the wounds are very minor. I think if you just keep the enclosure clean and let the wounds heal on their own without neosporin it would be better. I would stop the neosporin after 7 days or even right now if the wounds are very minor.

[dieselbaby]

as she rolls it wipes off so she ends up with a nice even light coating, her bedding doesnt even stick to it. The way i was trying to do it before i would end up with a glob on her side.. its only been a few days, and i think one of the punctures is pretty deep. I would hate for her to get infection. Shouldn't i go the full 7 days?

The wounds are down her body away from her head, so she doesnt get any near her face.

[dieselbaby]

another question, how long before i should offer her more food? It was suggested i let her fast for awhile, how long should i do this?

[snakehill]

some more pics, please excuse the lint on the aquarium, i ran out of papertowel and dried the aquarium with a towel.. The dish on the far side is like a stew plate its deeper then normal ones and she seems to like stretching out across it. She really seems active tonight and checking everything out and liking the carefresh bedding, digging down it in and going back and forth from the rock to the water.

Sally looks just like my WC Eastern, they could be twins! I've only had her for a month so she is still a little feisty! She does eat like a horse! (you know what thats like!!) She is also about to shed. Good luck with her!!

[Mommy2many]

Can't really blame you. she is a garter snake after all.

What he said

[dieselbaby]

Well i went to petsmart and they didnt have a right sized mesh cover for my aquarium either...grrrrr.. i needed 12x32 well i ended up with a 13x48 lol bigger is better then too small right.. so now she is properly ventilated, has her basking light, and i bought her a pool, some river stones, some coco husk to mix in with her carefresh bedding, and i went and chopped down a poplar(same as aspen) tree so she can have a jungle gym.

They didnt have pinkies or i would have got some of those too, so worms for her when it is okay to feed her. She is one spoiled snake, and i sure hope she is happy as she can be in there, short of being in the wild.

[dieselbaby]

If she enjoys the jungle gym i will join all the pieces together and make it extremely sturdy, i shook each piece and while some pieces look like they might fall, they are wedged pretty good. Its not the prettiest, but its safe. Also when the leaves wilt i will take them out. just though the smell would remind her of the wild.

[ConcinusMan]

Just weigh down those overhanging edges with bricks or rocks, or something very heavy so there's no gaps and you'll probably be OK.

And, neosporin will not help a deep or puncture wound into which bacteria has already been introduced, presumably by the teeth of the dog. It would only keep out oxygen and encourage infection. Fortunately, dogs have much cleaner mouths than humans, when it comes to harmful microbes to cause infection.

Best to just support the snakes own immune system in the case of deep wounds. That means keeping the snake warm and hydrated. For large "cavity" type wounds, keeping it flushed with saline several times a day helps.

Snakes are highly resistant to infections from skin wounds like this. I think she'll be fine. Just don't continue the neosprorin for longer than a week. It's not necessary. Personally, I just apply iodine (povidone iodine for wounds) when it first happens, then neosporin for just a couple of days. After that, it tends to heal quickly on it's own.

[guidofatherof5]

Looks like a great set-up.

[dieselbaby]

LOL sure just when i get a system that works for applying the ointment i dont need it... just my luck.. I do spray the wounds twice daily with vetericyn, it gets right down in there its water with some other stuff in it.. I dont totally understand how it works but i use it on all my critters and its safe for eyes, nose, mouth, etc. It heals wounds quickly and with little scaring.

Anyhow, if its best i will stop the polysporin since its a pain anyhow, but i will feel better at least using the vetericyn still. for any of you who are wondering what i am talking about this is the vetericyn site Vetericyn One-step wound and infection treatment that works naturally with your animal?s immune system

I want to see if she even likes climbing before i make adjustments, if its to be permanent i will make sure everything is very very solid, and joined together or weighted down. she doesnt seem interested at the moment she is enjoying basking under the light.

she does seem to like her new pool though..which is good. darn things cost enough.