[General Care] More advice please

[MidnightLeo]

So I also posted this on another forum but, I really would like to get as much insight as possible. Leo has some scarring on the back of his neck an a top his head. I have no clue how it has occurred. I would like to say first that I do not feed live I feed fresh killed by my own hand and I watch them until the head of any prey is in there mouth at the least and sometimes longer. His enclosure is cleaned once a week and at the most every two weeks a complete deep clean. No sign of Mites in his water or around his eyes. No other spots on him except these. No changes in appetite at all he eats no problem every 7-10 days. No change in temperament and he calmly let's me examine him. My local shop gave me some blue disenfectant fluid I had to mix in a gallon of distilled water and apply to the scars and also to put neosporin on it after the application dries. I should say I had been putting neosporin on it prior to talking to my local shop and prior to obtaining the disenfectant. After about two she'd cycles the scars appear to have gone away but, they have come back both times. Please advise anyone before this possible ly become serious and he has to see a vet.. please and thank you for whatever help given.




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[acephantom903]

Re: More advice please

About neosporin, make sure you use the one which doesn't have pain reliever because the pain reliever is toxic to snakes.

To me it looks like either scrapes or burns. If there are no mites and there is nothing sharp in the cage, it shouldn't be from that. If it were a scrape, you would probably see more than just those 2 spots.
Do you have a light bulb inside the cage which the snake might be able to come into contact with?

[Noelle7206]

Re: More advice please

By definition, a scar is what's left after a wound has healed over. I think what you're seeing is the result of him rubbing off scabs that were the result of some injury to his skin from either abrasions or burns, so

check his enclosure carefully for the cause of either. When a snake injures their scales/skin, the scales may not grow back in...you may always see those scars, which is one reason we try so hard to prevent

them in the first place, the other reason being infections. When wounds are fresh the Neosporin (as stated already, only the kind "without pain relief" for snakes) helps to prevent infection that may become

serious, but once the skin has healed over securely (after several sheds, typically, depending on the depth of the original wound) there's no need to continue to apply Neosporin. It's hard to tell from photos

just how deep* or how far along in healing these may be (& wounds on/near the face can be more of a threat) but if you see any redness or swelling, you should for sure take him to the vet. *The one near his

eye concerns me the most, but they do appear to be healing. When snakes have such injuries, they typically shed more often so as to repair the damage. You'll have to be patient, but as I said, you might be

forever stuck seeing the scar, though they will probably lighten over time, & the scales will probably stay gone. It's very important that he doesn't re-injure those areas though, so do make sure his enclosure

is safe in all respects. It might be something like a bolt or other fastener (inside the cage itself) that is jagged & could be changed or filed. The edges of plastic enclosures are often sharp & abrasive too, maybe

sand the inner edges of the door & any vents...it's possible he rubbed against them just enough to catch his skin. (That 'blue stuff' you diluted was probably chlorhexidine aka Nolvasan.)

[bcr_229]

Re: More advice please

Wound on reptiles can take a very long time to heal because each shed cycle will rip the scab off of a wound and re-open it.

This happened a while ago if your snake has gone through two shed cycles since the injuries happened. I would stop using the Neosporin. It's ok once or twice, but long-term use of a petroleum-based ointment can cause scales to slough off. I prefer using Vetericyn instead as it's a water-based gel. You can find it at Petco or online on Amazon. I also use it on my own hands in the winter when they crack since it dries - well... dry - and not goopy or slick like many hand lotions do.

If you don't have any heat sources such as a light fixture in a place where your snake can come into contact with it and get burned then I suspect those are scrapes from something in the enclosure. I would check everything for sharp points that could cause a scratch if your snake rubbed on it.

Meanwhile if those marks aren't deep then it's just a matter of being patient while they heal.

[acephantom903]

Re: More advice please

I'll mention this just in case there is any confusion. The reason the scales don't grow back is because they are not really scales. Real scales like on fish are meant to take damage then fall off and be replaced in a week or so. Snake's "scales" (and all reptiles I believe) are really thick skin which is to protect their softer elastic skin. When they get scraped off, it is like taking off a skin tag or a mole. They just wont come back naturally.

[MidnightLeo]

Re: More advice please

Thank you all. There is only one thing in his enclosure that it could be. The mount for my temp probe. No bulbs no sharp corners but, as I see it that has to be the culprit. I keep a tough watch on him. Pick up some of that vetericyn and if it keeps up too much longer take him to the vet. Thank you guys and or gals so much.

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[MidnightLeo]

Re: More advice please

It's getting worse. I scheduled Leo an appt. For Saturday @1200

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[acephantom903]

Re: More advice please

good luck

[Noelle7206]

Re: More advice please

Sorry to hear this, hope you & the vet can get this resolved-

[MidnightLeo]

Re: More advice please

At the vet. Filled out the paper work. Sitting here waiting on the doc. I'm so nervous now.

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[Kung Fu Joe]

Re: More advice please

How did it go?

[MidnightLeo]

Re: More advice please

So they took a sample and got nothing but scarred tissue or what would we humans would call a scab. She said keep it clean and apply this other stuff she gave me twice a day. And if it doesn't clear up. In two weeks we will be talking antibiotics. He was cool during the exam. A bit of heavy breathing but I feel ok about it I guess but still concerned. We will see. Thank you all for the concerns and we'll wishes! We really appreciate it!


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[Noelle7206]

Re: More advice please

That's good news (& thanks for the update). Snakes just take their sweet-snakey time about healing, so stay the course. I'm glad he behaved well too.

I'm guessing that the reason it was looking worse to you is that the healing process for a snake is "two steps forward, one step back", since they keep healing, then shedding again.
Eventually they get it done. If that was my snake, I'd expect to see these scars for a long time to come, & to some extent, for the life of the snake.

So I'm not sure I understand what she expects to "clear up" in two weeks? Or why an antibiotic would be needed if it's only scar tissue? Sorry, I don't mean to be 'trouble'...but
antibiotics are not without some risk. I am NOT saying don't listen to your vet, btw...but questions are fair game whether it's your doctor or your pet's.

[Kung Fu Joe]

Re: More advice please

Good luck with everything.

[MidnightLeo]

Re: More advice please

Noelle... true I hear where your coming from. I believe the assistant was referring to if it becomes somehow infected. Absolutely I understand the risks from antibiotics. We will do our best. Thanks a lot for the advice

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