Ribbon snake rescues

[Lori P]

Hi guys, I need some help with two ribbon snakes I rescued today. I was told they are about a year old. The person who had them has kept them in this tank for the past 10 months:







Yes-- that is a tank of water, with a cork piece propped upright as their only resting place. So they have basically been soaking or cramped on top of the damp cork for 8 months. No wonder, then, that this is what I found when I pulled them out:

(I apologize for the pics, my macro wasn't working, but I still think you can get the idea)





Finally got my macro working for this one:



I assume this is scale rot??

Please tell me how to treat this-- I've never dealt with it!!!

I have moved them to a tank with Carefresh bedding and hides. So they are actually able to stretch out and be dry... what a concept for the poor things...

He fed them by keeping rosy reds in the tank. So they had to eat and drink in the same unfiltered water that they and the fish soiled. :-(

[GartersRock]

Ugh! Thats horrible!!
Yes. I have dealt with scale rot in some wild caughts here during a really rainy season. Some of them had it REALLY bad.
All I did was make sure none of it was infected. Kept them very dry and clean and it will clear up with a few sheds (which are more frequent until it is gone).
Anyone have anything else to ad?

Good luck with them! They are lovely!

[Lori P]

Thank you... I'm reading about putting an antiobiotic ointment on it... and the site I'm reading also says they sometimes need oral antibiotics. I'm wondering when you know it's bad enough for that?? One of them is shedding as we speak and oh, he's going to be just beautiful soon-- he has a lot of blue on him!!! :-)

I'm wondering about a mild betadyne wash??

[GartersRock]

I am sure antibiotic ointment wouldn't be a bad idea for the extra bad spots. I try to use as little drugs as possible with all my animals and myself. But that's just me.

As for oral antibiotics... Unless it's totally infected I wouldn't use it. But like I said. I am drug paraniod. lol!

I LOVE BLUE! Of course you all knew that!
We want pics as they heal up.

[dashnu]

uhh man Lori, that is terrible. I wish you much luck with those guys I am sure you will pull them through.

[crzy_kevo]

ya good luck lori im sure you will be able to get them back to good health again

[infernalis]

the best antibiotic cream I have ever used is Silvadine SSD, it is potent and safe on reptiles. You will need to get it from a vet, it's a prescription only.

I will not say anything angry, I will not say anything angry, I will not.....

[Lori P]

Wayne, believe me, I hear ya. This just made me sick. Luckily, it's one of those situations where the guy didn't really want these snakes to begin with, and never wants more. I just wish he'd have given them up months ago so they didn't have to suffer so. I can't stop thinking about them day after day trying to get comfortable on that narrow ledge, or fall into the water... they kept falling when I was there.

Silvadene-- we have it at the office! I'll bring some home tomorrow. We use it for thrush in the horses. Thank you for suggesting that!! That's good stuff.

I think I'd just like to let them settle for tonite. They seem very small for yearlings, to me... but I could be wrong.

[GartersRock]

Well... They are at least in great hands now!! I bet they are relieved to be able to settle on dry land. Wish I could see it...

[Aundrea]

awwwww Lori im so glad that you rescued them. Who knows what would of happend if they stayed there any longer. They sure are pretty tho I hope they heal up soon. I cant believe that person kept them in that dirty water for so long and had that little peice of rock to dry off of UGH