I need help with a rescue!

reptile87901 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 07:07 AM

I was just given a 5.5ft red tailed boa that has a rat bite on his head between his nostrils and his eye. I don't know much about his history or anything except that he was used for breeding and has been fed pk and t/f until recently when the previous owner thought it would be "interesting" to try feeding live. The bite has apparently been allowed to heal over and looks ok except that there is a bump, which I am assuming means it is infected, from what I have read from other posts. Supposedly he has eaten several times and shed once since being bit without a problem, but I have not had him eat in the 12 hours since he was given to me. I need advice on what to do. I live in NM and we don't really have any reputable vets that I would feel safe taking him to, nor do I have the money for it. I have NEVER had this happen to my snakes (I feed pk) and I really don't know what to do. Help!

Slithers · #2 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 07:15 AM

Is there an open wound or is there just a bump left from a former injury?

You can treat a wound with Neosporin (withOUT pain killer) or equivalent (triple antibiotic ointment, etc). you can clean it with a watered down mixture of mouthwash.

come shed time it may irritate the wound and need additional applications of neosporin.

Good luck

I saw what you wrote about not knowing any good vets, but it might be a good idea to find a good vet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bleeding_sarcasm

I smell a troll... dizzang its stinky.

im not one to doubt your sniffer, but I went ahead and gave the benefit of the doubt.

reptile87901 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 07:19 AM

Oops...left out some info and found out some new info.
He is an adult MALE red tailed boa. We measured him and he appears to be 5.5ft long with a girth of about 7 inches at the widest part. Don't know how old he is. Supposed feeding schedule is 1 large rat every 7 days. Supposedly a proven breeder (but not anymore since we don't breed our reps). Don't know what he was previously kept in, but we are keeping him in a 60-gal terrerium with cool side at about 66 degF and warm side about 81 degF. Large water dish which he is currently drinking from. Very active and alert, but very docile when handled.
New info came about as my wife and I looked him over better...he seems to have bubbles in his mouth and around his mouth (kinda like foaming at the mouth) and he is letting his mouth stay open slightly most of the time...he let us open his mouth without a problem (didn't even argue with us a little) and there is no discoloration or anything to suggest mouthrot or anything...just the bubbles and him keeping it open a bit. No hissing or sounds while breathing either. Hope we don't find out anything else by morning...

Slithers · #4 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 07:26 AM

I bet you have him quarantined far away from all your other herps, too. Right?

reptile87901 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 07:27 AM

i am new to this kind of forum and posting and stuff, so maybe I missed something...but what are you talking about "troll"?
And about the vets, my city does not have ANY vet that will deal with reptiles. there is one in Las Cruces, but I have heard bad things about her. if necessary I will be forced to go there though.
The bite itself looks to be healed over with a dark brown scab on it. The bump is located right behind and up to the scab. ummm...think a hill with a burned brown patch on the side of it...no blood or open sore, just the scab and the bump. i have a pic, not a good one, but I don't know how to post it

reptile87901 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 07:28 AM

yes he is quaratined...in a different room, in his own terrerium

John_E_Dove · #7 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 07:32 AM

Well with the info provided I'd suggest kicking up the heat so it is 78F cool side and 85 warm side with a basking spot that is about 90-95 and getting it into a reptile qualified vet ASAP. Personally I'd consider it an emergency and rush it in to the first qualified vet available.

reptile87901 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 07:39 AM

i wish i knew a reptile-qualified vet. the only reason why i know about the one in Las Cruces is because Petco uses her, but one of the workers told me that they have lost quite a few reptiles to her "qualified" methods. i will have to wait until monday when she's open, so what should i do until then? ointment?
am warming up both sides now. could this be a respiratory problem too? i shudder to think how the previous owner kept him.

HARTSOCK · #9 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 07:46 AM

Sounds like an RI and I know the feeling about not having a good vet, I just lost an ATB to a Petco vet, but with something that could be RI or even an infected bite, most vets that have done anything with snakes can handle these. You'll be doing most of thre treatments at home anyhow, so the cost will mainly be for the first visit and the meds.

John_E_Dove · #10 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 07:55 AM

A lot of vets have taken to calling themselves reptile vet but few actually have studied op on the subject. Since you mention Las Cruces I'm guessing you are in New Mexico. These two are the only ones I have heard of that might fit the bill down that way.
Daniel Levenson
Southwest Veterinary Medical Center
2469 Corrales Road
Corrales, NM
87048
505-890-8810

Shirley Russman, David Schoonover
VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital
9901 Montgomery Blvd.
Albuquerque, NM
87111
Telephone: 505-292-5353
We have a local vet/butcher who has also started claiming he treats reptile but he in not even any good with cats.

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