Vet
Veterinary questions? Ask a Vet for Answers ASAP
-Thank you for contacting JustAnswer with your questions. I'm sorry Kai was burned.
-My name is***** have over 20 years of experience as a veterinarian and am happy to help with your question.
-Veterinary Experts are able to provide general medical advice. We are NOT able to provide a diagnosis or prescribe medications. I can help you to determine if a veterinary visit is needed or if it seems reasonable to monitor and treat at home.
-I'd like to ask you some questions so that I can provide the best advice possible.
-Can you send me a picture of the burn?
-Let me know when you send it.
-You should be able to post it here to our chat.
-I am not able to provide phone consultation due to my state laws, so I am fine to continue by chat.
-Do you know how to post a video to youtube or tiktok? you could do that and send me the link.
-When did you notice this?
-Do you know how it happened?
-Oh shoot. Yeah, that would get hot.
-Are you able to raise it so he does not have access?
-He could still burn himself. Ideally, the heat lamp should be outside the enclosure so they do not get burned.
-If this just happened today, be aware that burns often get much worse over the first few days, like a sunburn.
-I would recommend that you remove all substrate from his enclosure and line it with reptile carpet or paper towels. That way you can easily disinfect the cage every day.
-Clean the wound with dilute betadine or chlorhexidine (0.05%) twice daily.
-Apply a topical antibiotic, like Neosporin, several times daily. Make sure it does not contain a pain reliever was they are toxic to snakes.
-If the wound is opening, there is discolored discharge, he stops eating, or the wound is not getting better in about 2-3 weeks, he will need to see a veterinarian.
Do you have any other questions?
-You can get betadine at the drug store and dilute it or perhaps at the local reptile supply store.
You would dilute it until it looks like very weak tea.
-You are not odd at all, you are a worried pet owner.
-You can just buy any topical antibiotic ointment at the drug store. Anything that you would put on your wound as long as it does not have pain reliever.
I think that should be fine.
You're welcome. I hope the information was helpful and Kai heals well. Thank you for trusting JustAnswer with your questions. It was my pleasure to help you today. If you need further information regarding this question or need clarification on the recommendations, please let me know. I am happy to help.
I hope Kai is feeling better this morning. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
-That sounds promising. I hope he continues to do well.
-That would work fine, it is essentially the same but a brand name. Just be sure to dilute appropriately.
-Please let me know if you have any other questions.
-It sounds like you are doing everything perfectly.
-Yes.
-I'm happy to hear he is well.
-Let's see what happens after he sheds again. If the scales still look bad after that, he should have a veterinary appointment.
-No, it will be visible until he sheds it completely. If it is getting larger then it should be evaluated.
I would wait until the skin is back to normal.
-The skin looks healthy and the scales appear to be healing. I would not be too concerned.
I'd wait until all the redness has resolved.