Shocking tail loss.

[snake man]

Good to hear she is on the mend.

[gregmonsta]

She's been back and settled for a while. Vet opinion was that she was a feisty character .... beats me ... she has been her usual puppy dog self in my hands, lol. The wound still has a 'bandage' on it which I'm to remove tomorrow. There are 3 dissolvable stitches holding the wound together which I can leave to run their course or opt to remove after 3 weeks. She'll still be on daily baytril and pain meds for 2 weeks (but I think the pain meds will be dropped after the first if she appears to be doing fine).
Pics will follow tomorrow

[Greg'sGarters]

My guess would be as many others have guessed, she got her tail stuck and it came off, snakes are believed to be descendants of lizards and many lizards can detach their tail. Not saying that she detached it, but I'd imagine that the tail has to be the weakest part of a snake's body, it's the closest thing to a limb that they have therefore it would most likely detach easier.

[gregmonsta]

'Wrapped' pics from yesterday:





Today's unveiling:







Very neat job and she's doing fine. A good helping of foody things today will surely help her along .

[chris-uk]

Looks like a neat job and no sign of infection (as far as can be seen in the photos).

[guidofatherof5]

Looking good. Kudos to your Vet. nice work. Keep us posted on the recovery.

[Invisible Snake]

Very interesting thread.

She's been back and settled for a while. Vet opinion was that she was a feisty character .... beats me ... she has been her usual puppy dog self in my hands, lol. The wound still has a 'bandage' on it which I'm to remove tomorrow. There are 3 dissolvable stitches holding the wound together which I can leave to run their course or opt to remove after 3 weeks. She'll still be on daily baytril and pain meds for 2 weeks (but I think the pain meds will be dropped after the first if she appears to be doing fine).
Pics will follow tomorrow

May I ask why they prescribed pain meds? I know the wound is serious, but how can you tell if a snake is in pain? What pain med did the vet prescribe and how do you administer it?

Hope she makes a speedy recovery for you you

[gregmonsta]

Very interesting thread.



May I ask why they prescribed pain meds? I know the wound is serious, but how can you tell if a snake is in pain? What pain med did the vet prescribe and how do you administer it?

Hope she makes a speedy recovery for you you

Well, she didn't give a reason but I did observe her attempting to rub her stub on various surfaces when she arrived. I administered her prescriptions and a while after, her attempts to itch/suppress discomfort ceased. So, in a way it will prevent her causing any ongoing damage from this kind of behaviour. The medication is called Metacam and is to be administered daily. From what I have read it is actually more of an anti-inflammatory but - reduced inflammation = reduced pain. I syringed this into her mouth at the start, but she will be receiving this (along with the Baytril) in the belly of a small smelt once a day.

[Selkielass]

Much much tidier looking.
(She has a purple fringe! Hee! Hee!
Looks like she should heal in no time at all, and I hope she takes her smelt with gusto!

[Lisa4john]

So glad she is doing better.