Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, my female Guyanan just shed this week and somehow managed
to scrape the top of her neck pretty badly.

There is no blood, she has a white scratch that's about an inch
and a half long starting right on top of her skull. It's just a
thin line but the scales look damaged, it's very noticable.

I'm hoping her next shed will return her to normal. How well do
boas heal normally? I've seen scarring from rat bites and ticks,
so I'm a little concerned that she will now have a scar on her
neck. Has this happened to anyone?

Thanks for any replies,
tc

I would put some antibiotic wound-powder on the affected site in order to prevent an infektion.

You can expect that new scales will evolve, but they may have a different color as the ones that had been removed by injury.

But it may take several sheddings until the injury is covered with new scales. First a white skin will be built up. Afterwards the new scales evolve.
Boa constrictor

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Beware of Commies and Mutts!

.. treating wounds in boas. He mentioned using a powder.. not an ointment.

I've been keeping reptiles forever and I have a strong background in Vet medicine.. I have no idea how the idea of using ointments or creams ever started. The first sign that a reptile is healing is the wound drying out and if it doesn't dry out it can stay open for a long time and leave a big scar.

About the particular problem mentioned, I'd have to see it to make a diagnosis but it doesn't sound serious.

Thanks Hermann for that good note.
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Gus
A. Rentfro
RioBravoReptiles.com

"Quality is not an accident. Perfectly healthy animals are a minimum requirement.. everything else is just salesmanship" gus

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Jonathan Brady
My Kingsnake Photo Gallery

I've got to learn how to post pics, maybe this week...

Danke Sehr!

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Boa constrictor

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Beware of Commies and Mutts!