Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I just found a black rat a couple hours ago hit on the road its still alive and moving around a little but I think it got hit in the head because one of its eyes are popped out and blood red and its head is tilted that direction. What should do??? I can not take it to the vet I don't have that cash on me. Please What should I do to help it?

Thanks for the act of compassion.

Without a medical examination, there isn't much that you can do.

Set the animal up in an aquarium or tub that allows for thermoreulation, temps 75- 85 F. Offer water, and try to disturb it as little as possible. Quarantine the snake from other reptiles, and wash your hands after working with it.

If you can take different pics of the animal (dorsal, lateral full body, head/ site of trauma perhaps more advice can be given.

If worse comes along, can you euthanize it?

Thanks again for helping the animal as much as you already have.

I'll try to take a pic of it later if my camera works. But its still alive and looks better but the red blood eye is even darker now. and its head tilts that same direction it also moves around it drank water.

Glad to hear that the animal has stabilized somewhat in your care.

Since you can't care for the animal's medical problems, is there a wildlife rehabilitator, zoo or nature center close by that would shoulder this responsibility?

Where are you located, if I may ask?

Bottom line is that you've given the snake a better chance than where you found it!

I found it on the road hit. and there no place that would take it. I'm in Pennsylvania and prob. about 3 hours away from a zoo or Rehabilitation Center. I can't get any pics my camera is not taking pic to well is only a $15 camera.

Here is a link to wildlige rehabbers in PA. Perhaps they can assist with your efforts and network to get the animal into a netter medical setting.
http://pawr.com/public/?page_id=44

Just because a rehabber doesn't work with a certain species does not mean that they can't help you. Often wildlife people network amongst each other and help out in a manner of generalized reciprocity.

Case in point: several years ago, a raptor rehab center called me about a large snake they had rescued from someone's front yard. After pics were emailed, it was identified to be an adult boa constrictor!

After calling several boa owners, one agreed to treat and adopt the snake. To this day, she is parasite free, wants to eat your face, and resides in their collection!

There are many folks out there that care for animals, and will work with you. You are one of them, and thanks for taking the time to help an animal in your neck of the woods!

Thanks I don't mind at all to take care of it I do have about 20 of my own pet snakes. I was looking around and found a vet me that specializes in reptiles so I'm going to call him and see what I can do for the snake. He's starting to look much better now his neck is not as tilted as before. When should I try to give him mouse/pinkie?? and should it be alive and thawed?

Good on you for the rescue. Here's my story about rescuing a black rat with ahead injury.

I rehabed a black rat that had taken a severe blow to the top of the head from a vehicle. I initially thought she was DOR but she turned out to be clinging to life.

As it happened, she had what amounted to a severe concusion. She was lethargic, and groogy. She drank, but wasn't interested in eating - in fct she became very defensive when presented with mice. Live, pre-killed or frozen-thawed didn't matter.

It took more than a month for her to recover from the effects of the concussion, and over two months before she accepted a pre-killed mouse. I wormed her and she eventually began to eat FT mice.

I eventually released her when it became clear that she was not adjusting to captivity.

Pictures on the road, in rehab, and recovered.

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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"
0.1 Black Rat "Roberta" RELEASED!!!