Dilute betadine or iodine solutions are good for disinfecting when you are cleaning it. You should add enough to the water to make it look like weak tea. The water should feel slightly cool - remember, our body temps are higher than you need the snake's to be. You can put about a half inch or so in a container and let them soak for a little bit. Then dry it well and apply the antibiotic.



I don't agree with keeping it moist (except with the antibiotic, which is oil-based). The cage should be as dry as possible and you should switch to paper until it's healed. Moist substrate will be perfect for bacteria, and burns can easily get infected and cause even more trouble. Also, first and foremost is getting the temps right. If you can't get a thermostat, you can use a dimmer switch for now. They sell them at hardware stores.



It may also be a good idea to cover the bottom of the cage with something that doesn't conduct heat quite so readily. It has to be something the snake cannot get under. I don't keep my snakes in aquariums, but maybe something like a layer of cardboard to cover the bottom of the tank followed with contact paper over the whole bottom and up the sides an inch or so. It won't look pretty, but it will still be waterproof and greatly decrease the chance of burns. I just thought that one up, but never tried anything like it. It seems like it would work though.

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