My Surinam girl sustained an injury on the back third of her body a little over a week ago - guessing cut herself on a piece of her hide I found was very sharp. I’ve since removed the hide and placed her in a sterile recovery enclosure and have been applying a betadine solution to the wound daily. First time any of my snakes have ever been injured - am I doing the right thing? Pic enclosed with wound circled. It’s not getting any worse or infected. Any advice?
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In my opinion, with the size of that wound, you probably should have brought her to a vet for stitches when it originally happened. You can see how the skin has retracted and leaves a larger area exposed, that can’t feel good. I’d say keep treating it the way you are but consider taking her to a vet for prophylactic antibiotics and perhaps some kind of pain medication.
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It’s a pretty good size wound…stitches may have helped alot
Honestly if she was mine I would still run a check with a vet in case they recommend antibiotic injections as a precaution.
I would also consider doing regular soaks with betadine at least every couple of days at least. Maybe daily as they get close to shedding to keep the area a bit more soft and pliable.
It will take a couple of sheds to really heal over. If it gets any worse size wise or does begin to look infected you definitely need to see a vet for potential stitching or meds.
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Also, because of the location, try to monitor her lower body and tail. If anything seems more limp or weaker than before that’s another reason to bring her to the vet.
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Thanks for the feedback all - she is a little more cranky than usual (understandably so) but is still pounding meals, climbing, and acting totally normal otherwise. Since none of my snakes have ever had an injury before this is a learning experience for me and I was not even aware stitches were an option. I will keep up with the betadine and continue monitoring her and will bring her to my exotic vet right away if things take a turn for worse. Thanks again
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Just keep an eye out for any behavior change or lack of appetite, as those can also be signs of infection. You never really know how to handle a situation until you’re faced with it, you did great with what info you had, and it would be the same suggestions we’d give for someone without access to a vet. May take a bit longer to heal, but she should do just fine!
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Thanks @noodlehaus I really appreciate it! I figured the same - keeping up treatment and after a few sheds it should be fine. But I will take her in if anything changes. She definitely has zero problems eating but is just a little more crabby. I would be too if I were her 
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One thing I forgot to mention, you can also use something like a bacitracin ointment, a triple antibiotic ointment (must be the kind without pain relief), or Vetericyn makes a reptile wound care spray that can help keep the wound clean & moisturized. Always a good thing to have on hand for any first aid needs.
I may get some negative feedback on this suggestion but but vitamin E oil might be a good option to apply to the wound, as long as she is not on loose substrate that could stick to it.
If anyone thinks this is a bad idea, I apologize in advance because I don’t want to steer anyone in a direction that would hurt the animal……
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