Cat Scratch

*Edit I'm so sorry, this belongs in the Health issues forum. I am very worried right now and not thinking right. Please move this for me.

First off I'd like to say that I've just moved all of my things to a small apartment, but myself and my snakes are at my boyfriend's dad's house. My corn snake manuals are at the apartment though, and I will not be able to access them until tomorrow. Also, they're all boxed up. So bear with me for a minute or two.

Something terribly distressful has happened to one of my babies. One of my young snakes escaped. I do tape her tub down because it's smaller than my rack, but the tape had been used a few times, and I guess its stickiness had wore off. :eek1: It'll be fresh tape every time from now on.

After cleaning obsessively all day my boyfriend and I finally found her, thanks to the cat. Unfortunately the cat got her a bit before we managed to chase him of and pick her up. She has a chunk of scales missing and her jaw looks very odd. It's all there but it looks like a jaw looks after feeding. It's a bit crooked and isn't closed all the way.

I took a wet piece of paper towel and ran it over the areas. What is the best thing to use for the cut? This is an absolutely terrible time for this to happen. I am in a financial tight spot because of a check that I wrote almost a month ago finally cashing. Basically, I thought I still had the funds from the check because it wasn't cashed for so long. So I probably won't be able to order anything online for at least a few days. Is there anything I can buy at a drug store that might help? I'm scared because the snake is so young and tiny. She seems alright, but I really can't know for sure. Any advice is very welcome.

Thanks guys, I know I suck for letting this happen. I am kicking myself for being careless with the tape. At the same time I'm very relived that I found her and just in the nick of time. I just hope that it isn't too late already.

I am so sorry this happened to your little one. Glad you found her though. I dont have really any experience other than the things I have read on here... so... I can only suggest putting some neosporin or similar on the scratch for now.... if she is on a substrate you may wish to remove it and just have her on paper towels or something so that nothing gets into the scratch or sticks to it. Maybe up the temps a degree or 2 because of stress.? Handle as little as possible for abit to try to let her calm down and get herself 'together'. I hope the jaws go back to normal and nothing is broken. Good luck and keep us updated on how she does. Good luck

I thought of Neosporin as well, but just because it helps human cuts doesn't necessarily mean it would be good for snakes. Who knows, could be something harmful for snakes in it. I don't want to chance it or anything else unless someone gave me advice from positive personal experience.

I really should have my Love manual on me! :headbang:

I agree, neosporin works on snakes, I used it on a rescued kingsnake which had escaped its enclosure at the pet store and had some ugly gashes on its back. It worked well with no problems and it did not seem to hurt or cause any distress to him. The cuts he had were there until he shed again and then you couldn't even tell anything had happened.

Thanks for the advice, Jen! I just checked on the baby, and she seems okay despite the damage. The main problem is the substrate seems to be sticking to the affected areas. The most troubling one is a bit was stuck in her mouth. I worked out that piece with a wet paper towel. The snake snaped at me, which I took as a good sign.

She's a bit on the small side and I really want to offer her a meal. I guess I should hold off for a few days until her mouth area heals a bit more. I just hate to see a tiny snake hurt. It seems to make matters worse. This is my first experience with a hurt snake though.

with the kingsnake, I had to keep him on astro turf for the time I was treating his wounds, the substrate was sticking to him too. You could use paper towels. I'm glad the snake seems ok, feisty is good!

I would definately keep the snake on paper towel for the time being if your having a problem with the substrate, this will help if the substrate is getting stuck on the affected areas, it will also stop the snake ingesting any since you said you found a piece in the mouth. It will also help to keep the cut clean. Hope the little guy is OK!