My royal python has a burn like wound on his belly 3/4's of his length?

Question

i acquired a royal python today, the poor thing looks like he has burnt his entire belly, the previous owner didn't do anything to help and it got worse and worse, the snake has not eaten for nearly 6 months, i was wondering if any body could suggest a solution i have been told to force feed him a rodent, and also use tomodine (like iodine) twice daily on his belly also to peel off the scabs, is this correct or can any one offer another solution, thk you

Answer 1

Unless you are a snake "expert", I wouldnt try to treat this poor thing yourself. GET IT TO THE VET NOW!! Sounds like an infection has set in from a heat rock burn.

Answer 2

You are on the right track. If it is covering that much of his length then it may also be scale rot that you are seeing. It's caused by an overly damp and dirty substrate. The treatment is the same either way. You can also make a solution resembling weak tea with the iodine and soak him for about 20 minutes daily. That will help soften and loosen the dead tissue so that you can gently remove it. He should be housed on newspaper or paper towel until this heals.Unless he is looking dangerously thin I would hold off on the force feeding if you can. It's a pretty stressful procedure and can potentially injure him. If you feel you have to force feed then use a small prey item like a sub adult mouse.

Answer 3

When I adopted my Blood Python she had a pretty big burn too, its not nice :( She still has pretty big scars.

Our vet gave us a wash for it, we bathed her daily in it. Reptiles take along time to heal so its a long process but worth it. Shes fine now. You may want to get a vet to have a look at it, not just for the burn but get an overall check up if this snake is adopted it may have other problems. You might wanna get some worming medication too just in case.

Im not sure peeling the scabs off is a good idea, I wasnt advised this at my vets. It may reopen the wound to infection and prolong the healing process. Tamodine is good but for a burn that size you may need something stronger. You may want to reconsider the substrate your using, I found it made my snakes burns worse so soft paper was good, as woodchip can get stuck and is rough on the snakes belly.

It may not be eating because its had alot of stress by the sound of it, but I would consider the burn the priority for now. If you offer food in the mean time and the snake doesnt eat it clear it away asap as it may cause more problems.

Good luck! Hope you get the snake sorted, sounds like its in good hands now :)

Answer 4

Take him to a vet ASAP. In the meantime up the temps in his cage whilst making sure that the bottom of it doesn't exceed 90F at any point. Higher temps are best when they're sick. Use only paper towel as substrate, no particle substrate or newspaper because of the ink, to reduce the chance of infection or something rubbing the wound and hurting it. Make sure he has fresh water.

Don't try force feeding, let the vet do it. Unless you're experienced with it you'll probably stress him out. Many snakes die after a force feed, especially if already ill and you need a professional to do it.

On behalf of the snake thank you so much for taking him in and caring about him. I know it's expensive but please please please get him some expert care. Sounds like he's had little kindness in his life and it's about time he was given a chance to be happy and healthy.

Answer 5

If it is scale rot, you might need antibiotics to clear it up. Much of scale rot causes systemic illness that would require more than externally treating the disease. I would take it to a vet to make sure it's either one or the other. If the wound is as extensive as you say, and it has not been treated for so long, I would hazard to guess the vet would place him on a broad spectrum antibiotic anyway as infection would be a good bet. Keep him on clean paper towel for now, make sure the heat pad or lamp is regulated to avoid excessively high temperatures and wait as far as force feeding. Ball pythons can be poor eaters anyway, and the stress from his injury and probably illness would put him off food. Good luck with him and it was good of you to rescue him.