Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The found GBK shed just 40 min ago ( I watched it, which was a first) then she looked a bit upset, so I looked closer, and guess what, on the largest injury spot I just see pink and shiny Phoebe flesh... I was hoping to catch her before she did it so that I could seriously soak those spots in oil. I've been doing the antibiotic at least twice a day, sometimes more. There were scales as you can see in the photos, I'll take pics of her when the bare spots dry out a bit so that I feel safe handling her. Should I stuff it with antibiotic now and just try to put MORE stuff on it next shed?

Good deal!

I would just put some antibiotic ointment as you are doing maybe once every couple of days or so. Then later on in a few weeks just after it goes into "full blue" just prior to shedding, make sure it is well moistened so the fresh scale growth doesn't get pulled off during a consecutive shed as we talked about earlier, and things should be just fine.

Glad things are looking up!

best regards, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Really? I'm not concerned so much where there is visible skin minus the scales, but one scrape/burn spot literally looks like raw chicken breast. The shed was wet in those areas, I'm kind of concerned, but hopefully I can keep a vigil on her and catch her shedding a bit earlier next time...

I didn't know it was quite that bad. Then YES, I would apply the Neosporine(or similar ointment) to the area maybe once or twice a day as you are doing now. Also, it would be wise to keep it in an enclosure with no wood substrate material, just paper towels or newspaper until it heals along. Then you can put it back on whatever you want. This way the area won't get contaminated with pieces of stuff getting stuck in the ointment.

best regards, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Currently she's just on those rocks that I got shot down about down-forum, so no worries on the stuff getting stuck in there, but I still think I'll go with paper towels for more hygiene though. Thank you for the input, as usual!

n/p
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

the first is the part with the skin still there - white in color. The second is the raw chicken looking part. Looks like here was where some of the flesh came off in her shed. She is a very calm, non-musking snake, but boy when it's antibiotic time, that girl is obviously in pain because she sure does get agitated. The third is attempting to get a shot of her mobility in the area (man I wish I had three hands! You can sorta see that she's stiff in two areas, my first finger is under the first and then there's a bend and the second goes almost to the cloaca. Reactions?

Wow!,.......she really DID get screwed-up somehow. Almost looks as if she was pulled backwards from a real tight sharp object.

But in any case, just continue what you are doing, and it will all heal in time. Glad to see you are concerned about it's well being!...things will get better and return to normal in time.

Thanks for posting those pics.

~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

It will heal up fine as long as it is kept clean and uninfected.
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