Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi..

I got (rescued) a Blood Python about 6 months ago from a guy going into the military. It was a little neglected, but seemed healthy. It ate once after I got it, but then refused to eat since, had a very long and bad shed, and became very lethargic.

The tank conditions are fine for a Blood Python, heat and humidity are all good, so I don't believe that is or was the problem.

A few days ago I contacted the original snake's owner who was home on leave. He said that the only way the snake would eat was if he put it into a dark cardboard box with the mouse. I never had a problem with any of my other snakes not eating, so out of desperation I gave it a try, and to my horror, within 5 minutes the mouse had chewed the tip of the snakes tail off! Believe me, I learned my lesson, and will never do that again!

The Blood Python is about 2 years old, and the mouse chewed off a BB sized piece of flesh right at the tip of the tail, and the very tip of the bone is exposed, not quite to the joint.

The only vet who works on snakes is out of state and very far away. Since I'm unable to take my snake to the vets, the vet told me over the phone that all he could do anyway, is remove the tip of the bone to help it heal better. He suggested that I "snip" the bone off myself, then apply some antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. He said that because the mouse had left the bone exposed, it could not do any harm, and would actually be beneficial, if I removed the exposed bone myself so it could heal better. In other words, he said that I would not be doing any more damage then what already has been done, and I would actually make the healing situation better by removing the exposed bone myself. But, I have never done something like this before. Again, there are no vets anywhere near here who can help.

Could someone please give me a little more information and advice on HOW to do this? The vet said that it is simple and fairly common to do, and the tail will heal better if the bone is not exposed. Do I just "snip" the exposed bone, or push the flesh back a little and "snip" it at the joint? I don't know if I can or will even do this, but any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Will the tail be deformed, or will it heal and grow back back normally again? With or without snipping the bone?

If you could be so kind, please write me with any advice at: herrbumsen@yahoo.com

Thank You!

I do not know anything about bloods. I had a ball that I rescued from a pet shop she had been chewed on by a rat, the wound was about 1/1/2 inches long, A part was down to the bone, I applied neosporin two times a day , first cleaned it out, she had 3 sheds now and it looks ten times better. It still looks a little ogg but it did heal just fine. I also would take the bedding out and put papertowels in. I would not cut any bone . Make sure the vet deals with reptiles , some vets do not and will give very bad advice.

I don't know about snipping the bone off. I've had something similar happen with one of my Ball pythons (are you sure you're in the right forum?), and we did nothing to remove the exposed bone. I also have a waterdragon with exposed facial bones from rubbing her nose, and so far there's been no infection past the initial treatment she recieved when she was first rescued.

I would recommend getting some betadine (it's an antibiotic solution that works miracles). Put enough in a cup of water to turn it the color of dark tea, and then use a q-tip to gently rinse off the tail. Apply some antibiotic ointment (regular neosporin works/worked for me), and just keep the snake as clean as possible. Use papertowels for substrate at least until the injury scabs up, preferably until some actual scar tissue forms.

Sorry, I didn't catch if all of the flesh around the entire tip of the tail was chewed off. My ball had a couple parts of her spine exposed, but it healed up fairly well without anything being intentionally removed. I do believe that the very tip of her tail died and came off, though. See the post farther down (Rat Bite Scars, DUW) for pictures.
If there's still some flesh left on the tail bone, leave it and just keep it clean. If it starts to die then talk to the vet about snipping off the dying parts to prevent infection. It's not something that you should try to do yourself unless you have experience with doing things of that nature.

Best of luck, and let us know how it does!

~jenny
-----
"The python has, and I fib no fibs,
318 pairs of ribs.
In stating this I place reliance
On a seance with one who died for science
This figure is sworn to and attested,
He counted them while being digested."
~Ogden Nash

jenny.thegreenes.org

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