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I was out herping with a friend when we spotted a water snake, about 3 feet long, with an unusual marking on it's neck. When we caught it, we discovered that the unusual marking was actually a gash.

I decided to bring it home, clean it up, and let it heal for at least for one shed before releasing it.

He is currently in a 10 gallon tank with papertowel substrate, a hide box, and a large bowl of water. I am planning on keeping him outside in my garage (temps: low 60's - high 80's, depending on the time of day). I know a temp gradient in a larger cage would be ideal, but he's gotta stay out in the garage. I may be able to scrounge around for a larger cage, but for now that will have to do as well.

I figure once it is calmed down I will put some neosporin on the gash.

Is there anything else I should do?

Also, what do they eat? I'm figuring frogs and fish right? Other than going out fishing, can I just go get feeder fish as long as I make sure I use some vitamin to neutralize the thiaminase?

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alstiver@hotmail.com

1.0 '01 Hypo snow cornsnake (Tesla)
0.1 '02 Ghost (pastel) cornsnake (Banshee)
1.1 '02 Bloodred cornsnakes (Desi and Luci Too)
0.0.1 Northern water snake (temporary pet)
0.0.4 '03 American toads (temporary pets)
0.0.3 Goldfish (Kabuki, Isamu, and Yuki)
1.0 American Eskimo mutt (Rusty)

You could try feeding fish or mice. Neosporin will work well. You could try washing him in a bath of Betadine. I would use a smaller water bowl as if he soaks he could get the wound infected more easily. Keep the temp up in the low 80's or so to make sure he doesn't get too stressed and keep his metabolism up. 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 don't know if anyone will aggree with this but neosporin is a bad thing for herps. I have tried it on many of mine with wounds and it just seems to make it worse, and worse. My opinion your bexst bet is to keep the wound dry not moist. It always does much better, because it seems to scabb over and starts heeling more quickly. The only medication for wounds of the such that I use is betidine. Just applie a little with a paper towel( nothing with cotton because parts of the cotton come off and get on the sore. Just try to keep the gash dry. Don't worry about ti getting in it's water bowl. paper towels dry at all times.
Justin

Don't know what you are doing but even vets that have worked in the herpetology dept. at zoos and for the herp society suggest neosporin. A triple antibiotic solution or polysporin such as nerosporin is basic first aid for scratches and cuts on snakes as well as lesions and such. All it does is prevent infection...it can not make it worse. If anything becomes worse, it must be due to the care you are giving it. 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

And you really have to make sure waters have a small bowl. After years of experience keeping them, they will soak at any given opportunity. A small bowl is better until the wound has scabbed over. 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

That is just my exoperience in large monitors and turtles, I have not used in on snakes as I don't like it. It may be just my luck because It makes my scratches and cuts not heal. It is not my care. My care is great. Neosporin keeps the wound moist and wet doesn't it? You your self said to not let it get in the bowl so it can scab over. Lets not argue though I'm not asking for an argument, just telling my opinion.
Justin