help!!! columbian common boa

i just got her for ten dollars!!! the guy i got her from thought she was a red tail and said she was female. (i havent had her probed yet) this guy had like 4 pit bulls and claimed a rat had chewed her tail it was those pits!!!!! i see teeth marks i've had a pet rat i know what the gnawing looks like this looks like a pit had her tail as she was trying to get away the pit almost lost its bite but bit again and she skinned her tail trying to get away i see bone!!!!!!! and her nose omg it looks like a pit got her by the face i see white spots where teeth dug in her neck it seems tender and swollen like the pit shook her head like dogs do. the wounds on her nose seem to have been made at separate times one looks older close to black the other looks a few days old it looks orange brown and dry. but inside her mouth is good and clean. the guy i got her from was using rubbing alcohol to clean her! i gave her a bath because she was freezing i warmed her up and used green soap(like for tattoos) because it would sterilize without hurting her. i plan to get a product from a pet store RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE!!! i have to wait till friday tho. we got a measurement on her when i brought her home she is almost 8 feet and probaby 30 lbs. good temprament i chill with her pretty much all day she hisses a lot but i think she is just nervous yesterday she scared the black cat lol his eyes were saucers for five minutes in total disbelief a snake could be this large. she seems very curious about the puppy we have a malamute mastiff mix the snake went to the puppy i thought it was odd after being attacked by pits but my husband said its because sled dogs smell different and really dont care about snakes unlike pits who are snakers and raters naturally

With that level of injury I'd be heading straight for a vet. I don't think a wound with exposed bone is something you can deal with alone or with an over-the-counter product. It might need surgery to close the flesh. Dog bites can also carry a lot of bacteria and it would probably help the snake to get some sort of antibiotic shot to prevent infection setting in (if it hasn't already).

Hope you have some cash put aside. I'm afraid doing the right thing could get expensive.

i just couldnt leave her in that house how much does an amputation usually cost

It might not come to amputation, but you won't know costs unless you see a vet and determine what - if any - treatment is available and necessary.

I'm in the UK and I know that costs here vary enormously. However, surgery always seems more expensive than for furries - I think it's because anaesthetising reptiles is more difficult and surgery requires knowledge not usually taught as standard.

wow ok i'm so broke its not even funny but when we got our cats leg amputated the dr donated his work maybe i will find someone who can help and my husband can pay in tattoo if there is anyone in colorado who is a vet and will help my snake we will trade for tattoo

Do you have a local rescue organisation near you who might take the snake on?

Just had a quick surf and found these organisations in Colorado. They may not be local to you, but it might be worth calling them and asking for their advice. They may know of a good vet near you or ways of dealing with the problem that we haven't thought of yet and which may not be as costly.

Mountain Aire Reptile Rescue & Sanctuary
P.O. Box 292
Castle Rock, Colorado 80104
Phone: 719-213-7999
Email: [email protected]
Website: marrsturtle.com


Colorado Reptile Humane Society
13941 Elmore Road
longmont, Colorado 80504
Phone: 303-776-2070
Fax: 303-776-5206
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.corhs.org

Something I haven't thought of before - and should have done - is quarantine.

Make sure you keep the newcomer well away from your existing snake. Don't share equipment (cleaning brushes/cloths etc) between them and wash your hands between handling them. Neglected animals might be carrying diseases or parasites that the previous owner didn't think to treat or even look for. The last thing you need is for your act of kindness to cause problems for your healthy Okeetee.

bitsy said:

Do you have a local rescue organisation near you who might take the snake on?

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Sweetie, this may be your only option. Perhaps there is a vet who will look at your snake and give you an estimate. I'm sorry, you seem to be trying to help the poor thing, but I'm afraid with injuries like that infection is almost a guarentee. If there are swelled areas, there may alredy be infection. It's probably going to need antibiotics, plus whatever treatment is needed for the exposed area of bone.
When I took my ball python to be looked at after a burn, I was given antibiotics and a salve to be applyed for 21 days after vet visit. There was a total of 6 syringes to be given (one was given by the vet, the rest by me) and the total cost of the treatment was -almost- 300$. I am in Canada, but I think that would be the minimum you can plan for.
As far as what to do for now, Perhaps keeping her on paper towel to prevent further dirt/substance getting into the wounds, but theres very little else you could do for injuries like that.
I wish you luck, its good your trying to do the right thing, but this snake needs help. Perhaps a rescue organization can provide if you cannot.

sigh :/ ... get the estimates... sometimes the kindest thing to do though is euthanasia... the injuries seem severe and probably cause a deal of pain- you won't really see that on her... she may be too weak to show it, and most of the time snakes do not exhibit signs of injury until it's far too late.

I hope you'll be able to get help for her at affordable price.

I suggest a soak in a tub filled with water and betodine(iodine)- make sure the color resembles weak tea.... that should help clean the wounds... you can also apply... it's called synthomycine 3%- usually applied to the eyes but does wonders on external injuries... it's over the counter medicine, active ingredient- 3% Chloramphernicol.

Best of luck,
Oren

CORHS is a quality organization. Contact them and ask for help for the snake.

thanks oren for the suggestion for the otc meds i'll get the asap and i was kind of already doing the bathing but without iodine i will get some i can see where it is starting to regenerate i am almost positive there is no infection the swelling is in the muscles from strain i do believe like a pulled muscle probably because that is a lot of snake to move in a hurry especially when trying to get away from pit bulls and thanks for the suggestion to keep my corn away i have for sure because i didn't know if this snake could have mites of anything i didn't want them to share my boa seems happy for the most part honestly i have never seen a snake so comfortable with being held by a new handler i don't want to give her up she has a history of bad owners and i know i wont be one i want her to be safe

From what little I know I think this one might be worth persevering with -

1. after all the pain its been through its still friendly and has a nice attitude
2. at least some of the wounds are healing - and kept clean I think its possible the tail wound might heal itself - it'll take a while - A trick my grandfather used to use on pigs and such was to get small pieces of masking tape to hold the wound shut - sticky enough to hold it, but not sticky enough to do damage - that may help specially if you treat once a day with antibiotic and use that to seal the wound if thats possible - for faster healing...
3. Alot of heat will help the healing process which if you already have snakes you will be able to provide - spare heat mats and the like
4. It is likely the snake will get better care from you than it will dumped in some shelter... animals are just not looked after as well in places like that - for all the good work that they do.. not to mention that many places just dont know how to handle snakes - let alone a biggish one like that

Personally if the snake still is friendly and will curl in your lap after all its been through - wouldnt it be kinder to give it a nice home for the rest of its time? if you dump it on a shelter organisation you dont know where it will end up...

Kudos for you for getting him/her somewhere safe, at least temporarily..

Have you considered reporting the former owner for animal cruelty? I would if I was in that position...

the former owner is a mexican and you have to understand here in colorado that guy might as well not exist there are so many of these illegal immigrants it would be impossible for me to nail this guy i am building it a huge enclosure i plan for this snake to recover and live a good 20 years i know it will be safe with me and it is amazing how nice this snake is she lets me clean her tail just not her nose i will try my triple antibiotic ointment and maybe a band aid instead of tape

hey envy you live in my area. I don't know if you live near powers but there is Aspen View Veterinary Hospital where I take my snakes and the vet there is good. You can call them and see if they can give you a quote or an estimate on the cost. maybe the vet can work with you so that the snake can get help.

Here is there address they are open till 6 so maybe they can get you in.
http://www.aspenviewvet.com/

1. after all the pain its been through its still friendly and has a nice attitude

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That calm appearance could just be down to stress and shock. A calm snake is not necessarily a healthy snake. In fact with those sorts of injuries, I'd be expecting it to fight off any kind of human attention. The lack of attitude is flashing a red light for me.

2. at least some of the wounds are healing - and kept clean I think its possible the tail wound might heal itself - it'll take a while

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The bone is exposed. I seriously think this at least needs checking out by a vet and may need corrective surgery.

- A trick my grandfather used to use on pigs and such was to get small pieces of masking tape to hold the wound shut - sticky enough to hold it, but not sticky enough to do damage - that may help specially if you treat once a day with antibiotic and use that to seal the wound if thats possible - for faster healing...

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Open wounds need to heal from the inside out. By sealing the outside of the wound closed, you're potentially trapping bacteria inside and increasing the risk of a systemic infection.

We don't yet know whether the wound ought to be left open or closed to heal, and we won't until a vet has seen it.

4. It is likely the snake will get better care from you than it will dumped in some shelter... animals are just not looked after as well in places like that - for all the good work that they do.. not to mention that many places just dont know how to handle snakes - let alone a biggish one like that

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The rescues I found in Colorado are specialist reptile rescues not kitty dumps, and a few posts above this is a personal recommendation for one of them. If it was the UK and the RSPCA, I'd be avoiding them like the plague, but the organisations know what they're doing with reptiles and have access to resources that the OP does not. Asking them for advice would cost the price of a phone call.

...I would like to say I'm not advocating just ditching the snake. I'm saying put it somewhere where they will give it treatment. There are many RESCUES that do just that- RESCUE injured animals and make them well again. There are many shelters that are not that way, but I said RESCUE and I ment it. If the OP doesn't have the money to have the animal treated, there are ways to help the animal. That was the origional intent of the OP was it not? To HELP the animal.
If it were a person with exposed bone, who heals much faster than these guys, a person would go to the doctor. Snakes are not people, but that does not make the injury less. I dont belive that it should be put down without first being vet checked (perhaps it will heal with a little help) but again, a vet would be the one to make that call.
There are many times on this site that people are told to take their animal to the vet. This is one of thoes times when its TRUE. Take the animal in, if you want to save it...I'd agree with Bitsey's statement that the snake could be suffering, and too lethargic to have attitude.
Again, good luck. I do hope you find a way to get this snake treatment. My bp had burns on the lower half of her body, the wound didnt go further than the first layer of skin and she needed treatment...Your snake has a wound that has penetrated SEVERAL layers of skin (all of them infact) with random punctures in other places. This is NOT the kind of thing that will be solved happily at home.

Professional medical intervention is NECESSARY, not optional....

like i said i can pay with tattoo trade worth a million dollars or cater my butt off i just can not pay cash and trust me this snake has attitude its just a good one i will take her to see someone even if i have to pay for years i'll call aspen view vet and maybe i'll be able to work a deal out with the doc for trade and i have spoken to the rescue for reps in colorado and i'm afraid she would just end up in a rubbermaid container i know what i need to do now if i can just find a vet who will work with me i'll go today

I'm sorry I have to say this, because nobody else is going to so it seems... (and it seems appropriate now that people have given you the best advice in the world re this injured snake).

1. Why on earth would you take on such a horribly injured snake when you claim to have absolutely no cash to pay for vet treatments? Rescue snakes are always cheap or free but they take time, effort and money to get back to full health. Taking on that snake was irresponsible... I am a firm believer in not owning animals if you cannot afford to keep them (this includes all vet bills and even a back up emergency vet fund or pet insurance, because you just never know what may happen). Owning animals should be a privilege, not a god given right!

2. You describe horrific injuries. If she has such severe wounds you can only expect her to be in a lot of pain. So why do you think it is acceptable to bother her by having her out to "chill"? She needs a clean and sterile environment to rest and recuperate. Handling should be the last thing on anybodies mind right now!

3. You let this large constrictor near your cat and your puppy? Are you prepared to jump in between a large boa and a small furry creature? I can guarantee if that snake decides it's having one of your furries, there is NOTHING you would be able to do it about. Your other pets are fair game to a hungry snake, god forbid it ever decided to strike out. Perhaps because of her injuries and the presumed pain she is in is the only reason why she has not attempted to snatch one out of hunger or feeding response.

4. It is your responsibility to get that animal to a vet asap. And use whatever means possible to pay for her treatment. Without getting her medical treatment asap is sheer cruelty! If you cannot afford to treat her, you need to find someone who can. Home remedies may be a temporary relief, but they will not stop infection from setting in or do anything to prevent septicemia.