Reptile & Amphibian Forums

There was a large brush fire in a marsh near my job on Friday.
I went back the following day with my wife to look around and take some pictures.
We found a 4 foot black racer with some really bad burns and cuts.
She (not sure) has burns on her back and sides running down 3/4 of the length of her body.
The tip of her tail was burned clear off. She also has several cuts and a deep puncture wound about 3/8 of an inch deep.
It looks like a Hawk tried to eat her while she was recovering from the burns.
I brought her home to try to help.
The first day I soaked her in a mild solution of Chlorhexidine and water, then finished cleaning her wounds with full strength Chlorhexidine and put some triple antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin) on the deep cuts and puncture wound.
Today I repeated the same process and used Liquid Bandage on the burns and cuts.
She is in a large Sterlite tub, with a heat lamp the warm side is set to 85. It is still winter here in NJ, so I tried to warm her up slowly.
It was about 60 when I found her, uncommonly warm for this time of year.

Is there anything else I can do for her right now?
She is alert and moving around, with a little difficulty, but she is very slow for a racer.
How long should I wait before trying to get her to feed?
I would like to release her in the same place once she is healed and it is warmer, Is that a good idea?

Please help,

Tom

Infection and dehydration are probably your enemies now. Also taking in account that the cuts you described haven’t damaged any organs. I know experienced handlers that have hydrated by subscale injection to force hydration.

Myself, I would have let nature take its course. Your heart is probably bigger than mine. Seek a vet out and see what he can do. Make sure the bedding and water is changed daily. Also ask the vet about silver sulfate topical ointment for the cuts and burns.

I hope your efforts work out. If they don’t at least you made him safe and comfortable.

Good Luck…let use know how it works out..