HELP - something's wrong with my snake!

[amiekimm]

Hello! It's my first time posting in the forums so I apologize for any mistakes I make in following any guidelines and such. I am very worried about my snake as there seems to be an open wound going down his stomach.

It's been like that for a week or so - I would've taken him to the vet sooner but I'm in Vancouver, BC and I swear I've looked everywhere within a 30km radius of where I live and none of the vets/hospitals 'specialize in snakes'.

His name is Gucci and he's a ball python who's 2 years old.

Can anyone tell me what this may be? I'm honestly very worried so any comments about how I'm an irresponsible or negligent owner is not appreciated, I feel guilty as is.

- the little chips on his tail are wood chips that I put in his cage!

Thank you!

[kazz]

I am not a vet but can it be a burn like this one ?

what is a source of heat ?

[Andy_G]

That looks like a severe burn. It requires veterinary attention as soon as possible. I am assuming you don't have it's heat hooked up to a thermostat. At this point, it's best to just unplug it and hold of feeding until you can see a vet about this. Don't turn the heat back on and don't feed your snake anything until you get a thermostat to regulate the heat source. Also, immediately move your snake onto paper towel or newspaper, and try your best to clean off the wood shavings so that the wounds don't get infected. A 30km radius isn't a very big area, so definitely expand your search. Best of luck.

[craigafrechette]

Looks like a pretty serious burn to me.

-Unplug any heat equipment that isn't regulated by a thermostat.
-Do not feed or handle the
-Remove the substrate and use clean paper towels.
- SEE A VET ASAP

[kazz]

amiekimm, if I were you I'd cover burn with Chloramphenicol 10%. It's an antibacterial salve with antibiotics. When I was injured and my wound has a purulence dry cover it took one covering with Chloramphenicol 10% and purulence was gone. And don't take 5% it's just work very bad.
In my country Chloramphenicol is selling as Синтомицин.

[kazz]

The matter there is 2 types of thermostats.
1. Is on by default and off when need temperature is gained.
2. Is off by default and on to gain need temperature.
Type 1 is very danger .

[TRD]

Plenty of reptiles vets in the Vancouver area that you need to go to ASAP, use google "Reptile vets Vancouver". That's a heavy burn from likely a heatmat. Snake needs treatment before it goes septic and you lose her.

[TeamSlitherin]

Any news on this? That is a bad burn.