My injured snake..

[EasternGirl]

Have you tried chopping up the worms into small pieces for her? Try chopping them up into small pieces and putting them on a dish so that she doesn't feel anxious about taking them from you. I know that Richard always encourages hand feeding...but maybe in this case, because she is injured, you should just see if you can get her to eat at all...then worry about getting her to eat from you. Selena wouldn't eat whole worms or pinkies...she eats them in pieces..plus, if your snake has a mouth injury, she might need smaller bites. I really hope she makes it...and I think it's wonderful that you are trying to help her. The noise she made was probably a hiss. Richard...correct me if I'm wrong about the feeding.

[Hankj]

Now I will try to chop it up and even try some live guppies tomorrow. but it's only been a week and a half that she came out of brumation, should I be getting disappointed if she's still not eating?

[guidofatherof5]

Not at all at this point in the game.
The injury is the main concern.

[Hankj]

What can I do for the injury? I think the lamp I got her only gets the temp to the upper 70s.. should I buy a heat mat for her also?

[guidofatherof5]

What can I do for the injury? I think the lamp I got her only gets the temp to the upper 70s.. should I buy a heat mat for her also?

I would recommend it.
Raising the temp will help the healing process.
I think your hands are tied when it comes to this head injury. Your doing the best you can for her.
Does she have any other areas on her body. My concern is that she may have been run over more then once.
When she moves does it appear shes able to control her movement?

[Spankenstyne]

Good on you for doing your best to help this snake. Hope it pulls through.

What can I do for the injury? I think the lamp I got her only gets the temp to the upper 70s.. should I buy a heat mat for her also?

You'll want to know for sure before making too many changes though. You don't want to be guessing and accidently "cook" your captive by making the whole place too warm. Get an infra red temp gun or a probe or something to accurately get the hotspot temps and adjust as needed. You'd be surprised how warm the basking spots can be without the ambient being too noticeably warm. For a snake that's healing you'll want the warm spot on the upper range of appropriate temps to keep the immune system jacked up and the body healing.

[Hankj]

I haven't noticed anything very concerning on the other parts of her body, some marks but nothing that looks bad like her head. I'll check tomorrow when I get home.

I rode on the path for 45 minutes and then turned around, I found her on my way back, probably about 20 minutes on my way back. I didn't notice her on my way out, but doesn't mean I couldn't have missed her. The bike path wasn't crowded though, it was chilly.

And she does seem to have pretty good control of herself, I think. Should she be able slither up the side of the tank? Because she can only get about half way and she falls down the side. I have seen her move around and climb and she doesn't seem to clumsy, but I am new to snakes. Except, on the water bowl today she seemed clumsy, but that could have been because it is a plastic bowl and she was wet, yeah?

[guidofatherof5]

This type of injury could be a slow healing thing.

[Hankj]

How long can she go without eating?

[guidofatherof5]

Garter snakes can go months in some situation(brumation/drought) but you have a different situation all together.
This snake needs to eat to provide fuel to repair the injuries.
Stay grounded in the fact that she may not make it but hope for the best.
She is in our prayers here in Iowa.
I would work at upping the heat to 80-83 degrees. This will allow her to choose the warm spot when she needs to.
Be careful that a bottom heater doesn't get to hot as she may not be able to sense the heat as well because of the head injury.
You may also see if you can find a reptile Vet. in your area that might donate some time to her. Many Vets. understand the whole money situation and the fact it's a wild snake. If the laws won't allow them to treat her they give you some advice in the area of treatment.
It's worth a few phone calls.