Python with heat mat burns

RE: Python with heat mat burns

Marie Kubiak — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 21:19:22 GMT

I would apply topical disinfectants (I prefer F10 over hibi personally as it seems less irritant, at least for mammalian skin anyway), analgesia is essential for a painful lesion like this even if the snake shows no overt signs of pain (morphine is ideal when hospitalised, tramadol or meloxicam at home) and assess hydration as many are subclinically/clinically dehydrated with large areas of seeping wounds in an animal with a low fluid intake. Keeping them on a non-adherent substrate like towelling can help keep wounds clean.

This one appears fairly superficial and should heal without too much issue hopefully but be prepared to review regularly and start systemic antibiotics if tissue begins to look suspect - often the injury was a week or more prior to sloughing of tissues so all are heavily contaminated by the time of vet assessment. If this is not a well animal for other reasons I would start antibiotics immediately regardless of tissue viability as healing is so slow in healthy reptiles and non-existent in sick ones.

Also make sure they have resolved the heating issue - changed to a guarded bulb or have moved the heat mat outside the viv and are using a thermostat to ensure temperatures don't spike.

Marie

RE: Python with heat mat burns

grumpyoldman — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 19:05:09 GMT

+1 , and some quite unpleasant mite infestations "natrissus" makes them itch and rub on hot rocks .

RE: Python with heat mat burns

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 16:49:36 GMT

How is the snake doing otherwise? Eating regularly? Any stomatitis? Good weight? Husbandry OK? Passing normal faeces etc?

Are you sure this is caused by a burn? Skin infections due to poor environment look very similar.

In my experience, this type of skin damage (be it from superficial burns and/or infection) heals very well with regular bathing and flamazine, but I would add in some meloxicam - assuming the snake is well hydrated.

RE: Python with heat mat burns

Anthony Dennison — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 16:40:43 GMT

I'm sure I may be corrected, but I think the F10 barrier cream is good for these sorts of cases

RE: Python with heat mat burns

shanley barber — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 16:34:15 GMT

see pics above - 9 year old Python, burns affect caudal half of centrum, worst affected near the tail. I've cleaned with dilute hibi and applied flamazine, but not sure if this snake needs antibiotics and analgesics as well? any help would be appreciated.

Thanks