Abscess?

[anji1971]

Aaarrgghh!!!
I cannot get this last bit of swelling and infection to clear up!
The last little bit just keeps re-filling with pus every day, and I'm getting annoyed with it real fast. It hasn't bothered Stitch any, he's still busy and happy. But I'm running out of ideas............

[adamanteus]

Maybe Stitch will heal himself now, Anji.

[anji1971]

Let's hope so...........I gave his tank another super-sterilizing today, and I'm not going to put him back with substrate, and plants and stuff for a while yet. But if he's not better by the weekend, I'm resorting to the medicated slugs.

[Zephyr]

Originally Posted by anji1971

Let's hope so...........I gave his tank another super-sterilizing today, and I'm not going to put him back with substrate, and plants and stuff for a while yet. But if he's not better by the weekend, I'm resorting to the medicated slugs.

I know it's hard to do, but you MUST NOT FEED HIM. His body will focus on the digestion and not the infection if you do. You need to drain the abscess, then dab it a few times with paper toweling *Tissue may leave particles,* then immediately dab neosporin as close to the drainage point or inside the drainage point. Inside will help a lot more.

[anji1971]

That's what I'm doing with the neosporin, but it still keeps filling up. Albeit, much more slowly than before.
But Kyle, you're killing me with this no food thing, ya know that???? I'm a mom. It goes against all my instincts!
I know you're probably right, but still..........AAAARRGGHH!!!!

[jeanette]

the guys on here are giving some great advice
try soaking and massaging the area in warm salty water it will help start drawing out infection . then dry the area thoroughly and put on neosporin- ive not had to try neosporin on my snakes but the peple on here swear by it and they have a lot of experience.
As for the warm salt water thing, i hate hospitals and treated myself with that method after i got a secondary infection after a nasty cut i got from some rusty metal. used the method on my dogs and my python.

[Zephyr]

Originally Posted by jeanette

the guys on here are giving some great advice
try soaking and massaging the area in warm salty water it will help start drawing out infection . then dry the area thoroughly and put on neosporin- ive not had to try neosporin on my snakes but the peple on here swear by it and they have a lot of experience.
As for the warm salt water thing, i hate hospitals and treated myself with that method after i got a secondary infection after a nasty cut i got from some rusty metal. used the method on my dogs and my python.

Hmm... Table salt? I'm wondering if epsom salt would help with electrolytes, but I don't know if it's toxic or harmful to snakes. x.x

[anji1971]

Whenever he soaks he avoids putting his head in or drinking the water, so I can't see why epsom salt, or any salt for that matter, would do any great harm.
I just may try it! I don't know why I didn't think of it before..........salt is excellent for drawing out infection.

How long should I be soaking him anyway-- I've been doing 5 or 6 minutes. Is that enough?

[adamanteus]

Salt is good... it's a natural antiseptic. Don't know about Epsom Salt. Garlic salt would probably not be good either.

[anji1971]

Garlic salt............I'll try not to add that by mistake!