Reptile & Amphibian Forums

From the advice on this forum...I applied Neosporin to my 2 1/2 BP for a slight burn on her scales due to overheating from the UTH. I started applying the ointment 2 days ago. Do I need to apply Betadine as well? On a forum,someone advised if I use Neosporin, my BP might try to rub it off in her water container. It was recommended that I place Betadine in the water to aid in the healing process. Is that correct?????
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...either may need to be applied 3-4 times daily because it rubs off the belly easily from just the snake cruising around...

...the betadine soaks are really optional...in your earlier post you said the vet recommended warm water soaks...as I said, (go read it again)...don't do the soaks UNLESS YOU ADD BETADINE SOLUTION to the water...add enough so it looks like weak tea...note these soaks are really more important when the area of burn is larger than several square inches in area...if the area is small the ointment applications are usually quite enough...don't place the Betadine SOLUTION in the snake's drinking bowl...rather in a Rubbermaid container, about 1/2" deep...let the snake crawl around in this for 20-30 minutes...apply the ointment after the snake is blot dried with clean paper towels...then place the snake back in a clean DRY cage...newspaper substrate...

...clear now?

Scott J. Michaels DVM
Serpent City

Scott,

My experience with burns - I've had a few rescues.

1) Animal is soaked in medicated solution. I don't remember the name. I would have to look in my files.
2) Add neosporin to the affected area after it's dry.
3) Instead of newsprint, use wax paper as this will not stick to the snake or absorb the medication. Also, newsprint or anything similar can stick to the wound causing further problems.

The last burn I treated was nasty. Doc said it was not nearly as bad as some he's seen. Scary!
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Jay A. Martin

....Actually I have used unprinted glossy newsprint similar to the paper sold by moving companies (used to pack china)...wax paper is an excellent suggestion!!
sjm

For burns, nothing is better than Silvedene (sp) but it requires a prescription. Also, my understanding is that Benadine being an iodine based product can destroy healthy tissue as well as infection.

For years I soaked with a 50:1 ratio of Nolvasan/water solution for any skin injuries. Hopefully Scott can add his thoughts on this.

Both of the treatments above come from recommendations from a couple of vets as well as my own successes in using. The only problem with Neosporin is the petroleum base that melts off and washes away too quickly when used topically.
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Nolvasan.

Rich,

I had no problems with the Neosporin. The snakes are soaked daily so anything you put on is washed off anyway. I found it only melts when the wound is fresh. Once it begins to heal, it's not a problem. Unless you are using belly heat. Recovering snakes did you use belly heat but were put into a heated enclosure to ellivate the ambient temps. This is another important factor - increase the temps. Also, that's another good reason for wax paper. It's much harder to "wash" off the Neosporin.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

...povidone-iodine (Betadine) is damaging to tissues...TINCTURE of iodine (iodine in alcohol) certianly CAN be irritating or even damaging to tissues because of the alcohol content...

...Silver Sulfadiazine (Silvadene) is also very good but it is indeed prescription only and fairly expensive even in generic form...

...topical chlorhexidine (Nolvasan, others) is an alternative as a SOAK for larger areas of burns but contact time is a consideration...won't substitute where an ointment is indicated...

sjm

I have used both Neosporin and Silver Sulfadiazine and have had more succes with the Silver Sulfadiazine. It will dry up a skin injury very well and it does not rub off like Neosporin. It is about $10 for a small jar.

Rob Reiding.

I really appreciate the insight and will adjust the nurturing process of my BP...Thx!
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