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Skin damage... help! Please!

S

Sylphide

New member
Hi...

I have a problem and I'm sure it's not as problematic as to warrant my level of worry and concern, but here we go...

Chusi, my baby snow, has climbed on top of her thermometer (a digital probe the display of which is attached to the top of her wall by double sided tape provided with the thermometer). The tape on the back of it some how came a bit loose... and my baby got stuck to it! When I got around to the scene of this accident (probably 5 minutes after it happened) she was trying to get out of that sticky situation, and because of me/anxiety was very anxious and thrusting herself in all directions. I carefully unpealed her, but the tape was very stick and some skin came off... :cry:

It's not so much as to cause bleeding, really just the same layer/texture as comes off during shed, maybe thinner, but the areas where it came off are definitely pink... and there are flakes of bits of skin that got detached from her body but not completely. She seems ok, but shaken up... And this damage is mainly in her neck area... (tail got stuck too, but is almost completely undamaged)

Any advice what I can do? Is this something I could be concerned about to a point of taking her to the vet? It doesn't look like something that needs medical attention at first glance, the only thing I'm worried about is possibility of infection and I would very very very much appreciate if anyone can advise on that point...

My guess is she'll go into early shed (she shed about 12 days ago), but I just pray this will not affect her severely... she was (is!) such a pretty, happy, healthy snake...

Please let me know if there is anything I should do to help her. (human anti bacterial cream?)

Thank you!!!
 
From your description, it doesn't sound bad. But pics would be helpful.

In the areas that peeled off, you can put Neosporin on it to fight any infection. Just make sure if you use any loose substrate that it doesnt stick to the Neosporin.

Also, I'm sure this goes without saying, but you did correct the problem so this can't happen again, right?

Also, she may be stressed. So watch her with a minimum of handling for a few days.
 
Rich in KY said:
From your description, it doesn't sound bad. But pics would be helpful.

In the areas that peeled off, you can put Neosporin on it to fight any infection. Just make sure if you use any loose substrate that it doesnt stick to the Neosporin.

Also, I'm sure this goes without saying, but you did correct the problem so this can't happen again, right?

Also, she may be stressed. So watch her with a minimum of handling for a few days.
Click to expand...

Rich! Thanks for the quick response! I went to put some anti bacterial ointment on her (I don't have neosporin, but a CVS brand version of the same thing)... I just put a tiny bit on my fingers and let her slide through it not to put too much... I was going to take pictures, but... it's really so minor as it appears that it wouldn't even capture on camera (maybe with super sophisticated camera it would be possible... but I lack that kind of equipment). It's really just flakey... so as if a few scales' worth of skin that peeled off but didn't fully come off in a couple of areas... the areas where I suspect the skin came off are not red/pink nor bleeding, and I really can't tell where they are. I think it's just the top layer of skin that came off... the ointment needless to say reattached them... My only worry is that ointment isn't good for her... but I guess it was so minor that excess would rub off on the paper towel substrate anyway.

She is 12 days post shed, but a tiny baby (less than 14 inches long)... so I'm hoping she's going to go into shed for me and repair herself...

My other question is - how long should I wait before feeding her? She last ate last Thursday night... really, tomorrow she should eat again... but I am worried the stretching of damaged skin (more damage up in the first 1/3 of her body) might not be a good idea... plus she'll probably be scared still...

Any advice?

Thank you thank you thank you!
 
Good, it sounds like her skin is fine. And Neosporin is perfectly safe on a snake.

Just because she may be stressed, I would just wait 1 extra day and feed her on Wednesday.

Keep us updated!
 
Rich in KY said:
Good, it sounds like her skin is fine. And Neosporin is perfectly safe on a snake.

Just because she may be stressed, I would just wait 1 extra day and feed her on Wednesday.

Keep us updated!
Click to expand...

Thank you so much Rich!

Phew... this board is such a blessing! I was losing my mind! (mostly because I let something happen to her... maternal instincts are to blame ;-))
 
Sylphide said:
Phew... this board is such a blessing! I was losing my mind! (mostly because I let something happen to her... maternal instincts are to blame ;-))
Click to expand...

LOL. Don't worry. We have all had the "OH NO!" moments. I'm just glad I could help a lil.
 
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