Cuts & Abrasions
and the use of a microbicide.
A microbicide is any agent detrimental to, or destructive of, the life of microbes or bacterial organisms...
Any type of cut should be treated much in the same way that we would gently treat a human injury.
The wound should kept clean, and dabbed with a healing/antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin) daily until healed.
As I'm sure one can imagine, bandaging a snake is nearly impossible. A very small, waterproof band-aid may possibly work if the cut is bad enough to require a dressing.
Even "butterfly" bandages could be used to close a wound somewhat if stitching it up proper is not an option.
Snakes are like people in that if a wound is not stitched the first day, (1st 6-12 hours or so) , the wound is generally considered contaminated, and would essentially be stitching the germs into the wound, i.e. quite likely to result in infection at that point.
(A secret to prompt, on-demand Veterinary care is...
to not need your Vet when it's the middle of the night..when he's out town for the week..out smackin' a ball around the golf course, when he's on his honeymoon or at the church weekend retreat, etc...
That and a high limit credit card "handy" to pay the man.
A big wad of on hand cash may be substituted for the credit card(s) if so desired.)
Keep him on newspaper or paper towels until the wound closes to prevent bedding from getting in the wound, (hospital Tank).
Snakes have remarkable healing abilities when it comes to cuts and scrapes.
I like a product " Gold Bond Antibiotic Ointment" (maximum strength)
which combines three antibiotics that kill bacteria and prevent infections.
It is enriched with Aloe and Vitamin E.
Gold Bond Antibiotic Ointment is available at the Walgreens chain of drugstores amongst others. Walmart also, I believe. also Online too.
I used to breed Dobermans, once upon a time (25-30 years ago), and when we had their ears "cropped", we would alternate a triple antibiotic salve with blend of Vitamin e and aloe vera gel and their ears would be all healed up, scab free, in 7-8 days compared to 10-14 days without the "treatment".
A few drops from vitamin E capsule could be mixed into other brands of salve to achieve a faster healing time type benefit.
Aloe vera has amazing wound healing powers and is renowned for its wound healing acceleration properties.
Many Burn units of hospitals use aloe vera to promote healing and reduce scarring in burn victims.
I have read of "Snake people" who have had excellent results with injured snakes using a "1% Silver sulfadiazine cream", (antibiotic salve).
A popular brand with Herp folk is "Silvadene."
In humans, Silvadene is used to prevent and treat skin infections associated with burns.
Silver Sulfadizine is a wee bit harder to come by than the standard issue triple antibiotic, ask your local friendly pharmacist and he may have it or its available online. Shop it for your best price. Good to have on hand in ones reptile First aid kit apparently.
http://www.gettingwell.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/sil1404.shtml
http://www.drugstore.com/pharmacy/prices/drugprice.asp?ndc=00591081055&trx=1Z5068#info
A commonly available antibiotic cleaning flush/ spray/ bath for a wound, that takes it easy on the snakes tissue, would be a 1 part store bought Hydrogen peroxide (h2o2) to 10 parts water.
You want the standard 3% stuff, not the 30% stuff they sell some places for the bleaching of human hair.
A 10% solution by volume, will make a wound on a human slightly "bubble up" ever so slightly, so it should gently clean out a snakes wound.
Use a bit more, if you like, if fear (caution) is not a factor for you.
A clean spray bottle can work as a drench applicator. Gently pouring over the wound to initially clean should work well too. wait a couple minutes and repeat.
A bath could be prepared and the injured part of the snake submerged while holding/ immobilizing ones patient. Or in the case of a relatively minor injury allowed to just swim in it.
Drinking of a dilute H2o2 / h2o solution is harmless, a snake getting a snootful/ mouthful at that dilution is not a problem.
I think "uncut" store bought peroxide would be rather aggressive to a snakes injured tissues .
Most layman/ non- professionals would tend to dump it straight out the bottle onto a wound though,.."damn that bubbles"..
Grapefruit seed Extract may have a place in the initial flushing and cleaning of a reptiles wound also. (25 drops per gallon, loaded for bear strength)
Betadine is also commonly used and available.
I have read reports of undiluted Betadine "burning" the Skin of snakes.
If used, further dilution may be in order...
BETADINE® Solution is the original aqueous solution of povidone-iodine 10% developed as a unique topical microbicide. It is indicated to kill germs in minor burns, cuts and scrapes.
Ones best bet, in most cases, is to seek professional help with potentially life threatening reptile injuries.
Financial considerations are a very realistic factor when considering ones options. Saving the snake, but both going homeless because of it would not be good thing. Maybe the snake would disagree. He figures he can live in your pocket. Paying ones bills and not having much money left is a pretty common affair just about everywhere on the planet, I dare say. Bummer.
imho
Jaxom, welcome to the CORNSNAKES.COM Forums, I hope your snake is hanging in there, healing up and feeling better.
Mistakes, once they're made, and recognized as such, is called experience.
I'll bet that Corn doesn't get out unescorted again. ;~)
