Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I live in a tropical country so you may not know this snake, its common where I come from but I don't know what its nearest temperate relatives are. I have found someone keeping it as a pet (fortunately it is very docile), sadly it had been neglected and the tail is almost gone and had maggots coming from it.

I have reported this person to the authorities due to the inhumane conditions I found it in. I've taken it home. Normally I make a habit of taking in ill or injured animals and ultimately releasing or rehoming them, and this is the third reptile I've dealt with. Sadly this one would probably become a permanent resident as people here hate snakes. For the same reason, I can hardly bring it to a vet.

Heating is not a problem where I live, as I live in the same steamy conditions the reptile does. However this one was literally starving (was very skinny) and ate three small geckos as soon as I took it to my place. It was in a smelly metal tin that was in complete darkness, had weeks worth of faeces, a chunk of bark for cover and water pooling at the bottom. At some point the snake probably had a minor injury to the tail which then got infected with maggots, I've since removed the maggots and given the area a thorough antiseptic wash.

The snake is now in a clean tank, but with no real cover because I don't want it to scrape the open wound by accident for now. Its eyes are clear though it seems somewhat lethargic for its species. It is eating and drinking more or less OK.

The question is whether what I've done for the tail is sufficient, for the snake seems somewhat weakened and if it is badly infected then it may already be too late. I don't know if it is strong enough to fight the infection on its own, even if the maggots have been dealt with. Is there anything else I can do?

Head turning reflex = OK
Eyes = OK
nostrils/mouth = OK
scales = recently molted successfully/OK

However this snake will now forever lack a tail, and possibly even lower genitalia. The tail is a stump, completely severed by infection right through even the bone underneath.

I would try keeping the snake with a water bowl small enough not to allow it to submerge fully. As well, I would try to apply some sort of antibiotic creme to the wound, such as Neosporin or polysporin. Try to keep it in a secluded area with minimum contact to allow reduced stress. If you can not get it to a vet, I would think that is probably as much as you can do. 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

I would agree with Andy. If the snake is feeding on it's own and not regurgitating, that means that all systems are at least working for now. I would give it something for cover...a plastic bowl upside-down with a hole cut in it? Anything it can hide under for security.

The most common cause for tail-loss is disecdysis, meaning it failed to shed the skin on it's tail at some point, which then restricted blood flow to the tissue in the tail causing necrosis of that tissue and loss of the tail. If there is no infection and it is healing, it should be fine.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

How do I know if the wound is closing properly? I don't want the snake to get any shorter.
Its taken another three lizards, and I think thats more than enough to know its OK as far as appetite is concerned, hell its still actively looking for more but I don't want to suddenly stuff it after its period of starvation, it'll have them tomorrow.
I've used some mild disinfectant on its tank, but washed everything thoroughly in case it becomes an irritant.

You are doing fine. I would give it 3 or 4 days before feeding again. The tail should scab over. You could try cleaning it with Betadine and then putting some triple antibiotic ointment on it. Then just watch it.

I just wanted to give you a hats off for taking in this poor thing. I was curious what happened to the person that had the snake? Keep us updated on how its doing.
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Blessed Be
Aradia