Sooty injured!!!

[Snake lover 3-25]

so Sooty the snake i've had for 1 week today has some kind of injury... when i first inspected him about a day or so after i found him i noticed a wound that at the time seemed to be a scar or a mostly healed wound at the most... but today he didn't eat... the first time since he got here... i tried everything but and he started to eat a mouse but then droped it and wouldn't eat anything else... so i picked him up hoping to warm him and get him to eat... i noticed that his wound has turned from black/ almost skin color to an orangy brown... with all of the recent snake sicknesses and infections i am very woried!!!!! i will try to post pics but all of the bateries are dead... i steralized his cage and put in paper towel...please help!!!

[drache]

Shanley
where on him is the wound?
how big is it and what shape?
do you get any sense of what might have caused it?
is it swollen, soft, is there fluid seeping out?
can you be more descriptive in lieu of photos?

[adamanteus]

Shanley, do I understand from what you're saying that you have been feeding this snake every day? If so it's not surprising he won't eat today. Even if I misunderstand you, one week is not a long time for a new snake to refuse food. I think you have done right to provide sterile conditions until the wound has been 'looked at', but don't panic yet. The fact the he started to eat the mouse before he dropped it is a good sign. Get some new batteries for that camera!

[Snake lover 3-25]

Originally Posted by drache

Shanley
where on him is the wound?
how big is it and what shape?
do you get any sense of what might have caused it?
is it swollen, soft, is there fluid seeping out?
can you be more descriptive in lieu of photos?

the wounds are about 3 inches and 5 inches down from his head...
they look like puncture wounds, like a fox got him before i did
there's not realy anything comeing out but his scale is damaged and it's brownish orange near the wound

Shanley, do I understand from what you're saying that you have been feeding this snake every day? If so it's not surprising he won't eat today. Even if I misunderstand you, one week is not a long time for a new snake to refuse food. I think you have done right to provide sterile conditions until the wound has been 'looked at', but don't panic yet. The fact the he started to eat the mouse before he dropped it is a good sign. Get some new batteries for that camera!

no he ate a little on sunday and on wednesday.... but i'm not really woried about him not eating... it just led me to the discovery of his wounds and he is usually very enthusiastic about feeding but he didn't even seem interested in it.... but thanks for the encouragment

[anji1971]

Oh, dear.
I hope Sooty will be alright, Shanley. It's no fun when they're not well.

[Snake lover 3-25]

Sorry they took SOOOOOO long.....

[Snake lover 3-25]

i'm trying to get better ones...... SORRY!!!!!

[Zephyr]

Looks like a cut to me. Or, I'm not sure of the proper term, but one of those sores from too much humidity. A blister? Some one correct me on this. XD

[Snake lover 3-25]

Maybe these will help????

[Loren]

Originally Posted by Zephyr

Looks like a cut to me. Or, I'm not sure of the proper term, but one of those sores from too much humidity. A blister? Some one correct me on this. XD

I was thinking the same thing about it looking like a moisture sore or blister, although I definitely am not a vet.
I would make sure the water is kept very clean and that the bedding is kept dry, for starters. Maybe make sure he isnt soaking too much in the water dish too. Hopefully if you keep him in clean conditions, with proper heat and ventilation, the sores will begin to heal.
Like James said, if you have only had him in captivity for a week, he may still be settling in, so he might refuse food at times. Try to leave him alone as much as possible for the first few weeks, other than when you are cleaning the cage, or inspecting him.
I only feed my adult garters once a week, sometimes only every 2 weeks if they are full grown and in good condition- but I average once a week, although I feed rodents which I think seem to hold them over a little longer than fish and worms and such.
Make sure he has a good hiding spot or 2(so he can hide in a cooler spot or warm spot), and disturb him as little as possible in the time a few hours before, and also during, feeding.
Hopefully he will shed soon, and that will help heal also. Also, if he is just starting to prepare to shed, it might not look obvious yet, but it could affect his appetite.