Update - Black Rat Snake Shed - Graphic Photo Warning

[MelissaFlipski]

Lefty, the wild Black Rat Snake I am rehabbing, took nice, long drinks when presented with fresh water last night and the night before.

He was caught finishing his shed this morning! Wow, was he slippery, trying to get away from me. He's gorgeous and tongue flicking a lot now.

Here is his fresh skin:


His wound, which I swabbed with betadine after taking this photo:


The piece of skin that was shed from the wound had the lump in it.


Here is the inside of the lump - it is soft and fleshy. I can't imagine how painful this shed must have been for him. It does not seem to be a parasite, but rather a piece of his own flesh. Poor guy! I put it in a bag in the freezer in case it needs to be checked out / biopsied.




Right after I changed his water, removed the shed, gave him fresh water, and put him back in, he presented me with a gift. I was happy he did not do this while I was swabbing his injury with betadine!


I will continue to swab his wound with betadine 2x a day. I won't offer food until the wound is healed over.

[Monty]

awww well least the rat snake found someone who cares. hope hes in qt

[aaramire]

that looks a million times better now that he had shed! WOW! The skin underneath looks clean and nice like it is healing.

[littleindiangirl]

Wow! Melissa this is an awesome story you have going with this wild rat snake. He looks so much better, and his wound seems to be healthy and healing. Big congrats to you for sticking it out!

[Thor26]

cool im so happy for you and lefty =]

[Mindibun]

Wow, that looks a hundred times better! I'm so glad things are working out with him. You're doing a great job.

[dalvers63]

Great job, Melissa! He seems to be doing really well.

I would suggest you rethink feeding him though. Snakes that are healing require more food than usual as they use the energy to heal. We just went through the healing of an abcess on a rescue king snake. I was feeding him, on the recommendation of the vet, a small mouse every 2-3 days. It's the only way I could keep weight on him.
If nothing else, just keep an eye on his weight and feed him something small if you think he needs it.

Can't wait to see more pictures as he heals up!

[MelissaFlipski]

awww well least the rat snake found someone who cares. hope hes in qt

Yes, he's in QT. I actually worry more about him getting something from my exotic snakes - wouldn't want to release a new disease to the wild population!

Deb, good point. I'll ask the rehabber/wild snake expert I am in touch with. I worry about stressing the injury since it's on his neck. But small prey might be OK.

[MelissaFlipski]

The rehabber that has been helping me recommended I get silver sulfadiazine to apply to the wound. It has antibiotic and antifungal properties and will to keep a thin layer on the wound so it doesn't dry out. It should heal faster that way.

So, I called a local vet that the local timber rattlesnake expert, W. H. Martin, recommended. The doc there had me send the pictures of the wound and the email of the rehabber, in which she advised the SSD. The vet called the SSD into a local pharmacy for me. I picked it up and have put on the first application. I first washed the area with a sterile wound wash saline. Then, using a sterile pad, I applied a moderate layer to the wound area, ensuring I got it in the crevices, etc. I returned Lefty to his tub with fresh water.

I asked the rehabber about feeding a small meal and am waiting to hear back.

I'll keep you all posted with his progress. Thanks everyone for your support and thoughts!

[missi182]

You just rock Melissa, I am so proud that we have people like you on this forum.