Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I was wondering if somebody could give me some advise regarding a brown snake that we accidentally injured with the lawn mower. It is a head injury and although the snake is still alive, I don't think the chances are good. It was hurt on Sunday and besides the obvious head injury, I have noticed that the mouth is full of either blood or dirt. Somebody told me to get a syringe and clean the mouth with warm water. Although I have seen the snake open its mouth, when I try to get it to open for me, it clamps down. I do not want to put it in the freezer (as some people have told me) if I can help it survive. Mind, the injury is pretty bad and although the cut itself seems to be healing, I think the snake chances are slim. It moves around and when I try to tend to it, it definitely does not like been handled.

What is the right thing to do? The snake is about 10 to 12 inches in length. I don't know much about snakes but I have been keeping it in a plastic cooler with dry leaves, bark, fresh water in two containers and clean soil to avoid ant attacks. I have forced a bit of water on the snake and it handled it pretty well. Right now, the mouth is very dirty, sort of slimy. I think is blood from the injury. The injury "scalped" the snake's head and damaged the eyes. I hesitate to put it in the freezer because it is trying to stay alive with such fierceness that it doesn't seem right for me to make the call. What do you suggest?

Many Thanks for the advise.

Get it to a vet that handles reptiles! The snake needs immediate medical attention! Try to find a rehabilitator that can care for it until it can be returned to the wild. If you would like to try to rehab the snake, hook up with an established rehabilitator that can help you to get the right equipment and administer meds. Good luck.
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~redmom~
My Email

Thanks!! How can I find a rehabilitator? Somewhere on Kingsnake.com for Central Florida?

Personally, I would put the little guy down or let him do it himself. I would not spend 100 dollars on a brown snake, which is what it would cost. You would have to go to a vet, get the prescribed meds (baytril most likely) and the overall stress will probably kill it anyway. If you can set up a C02 chamber or just get a rehabilitation center to take it then it should not be a problem. But if you want to try to care for it, then go for it. I have had snakes that have been hit in areas not so vital as the head and they didnt make it. But if you plan on keeping it, try to wash the area and MAYBE try to clean the mouth. I would put neosporin on the wound and keep the snake on papertowels. Temps should be in the low 80's to keep the snakes health up. Keep a small water bowl in there. Put in a hide box. And pray it lives until you can get it to the vet. Good luck, and sorry to sound pessimistic, but most circumstances like this do not turn out well (as you had already hinted). Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

You said: "it doesn't seem right for me to make the call."

Well, you have to make the call. It is right. There is no one else.

The snake must be in a lot of pain, and to let it suffer further because of some misguided notion about "helping it," or trying to abrogate your responsibility toward it by saying that it may get better, borders on shameful neglect... just because you don't have the guts to euthanize it.

You are responsible for its injuries. It was an accident; we all understand that, but you did it. Now finish it in as painless a way as possible.

Place it in the refrigerator for an hour or two, then in the freezer overnight. Then give it a respectful burial and keep your eyes open next time you mow the lawn.

p.s. I have to watch for garter snakes on my lawn all the time. We have a group of 3 of them which we have saved from the blade several times over the last 6 years.

a
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains