Just in with the whole theme of late, regarding dodgie deals and newbie / inexperienced keepers getting ripped off and being mislead, I thought I would share my experience of last night. I think we should all take note of his poor misfortune.
I got called to an old friends place last night because his coastal burnt itself. So he thought anyway. Turns out he bought a dodgie snake 6 months ago that had a scale parasite. Puss like lumps on its body. They weren't very noticable until you ran your fingers over the animal, which he didn't notice for a few weeks after he had the animal.
When he discovered these, He was told to prick the lump with a hot pin and squeeze the gunk out (from the person who he bought it off). Which he did. 5 months later after not knowing how to check or clean the pin whole wound he made from squeezing the gunk out, and with the animal in cool down as he wanted to mate with it, he found this on his snake when he came to cleaning his cage yesterday.
He thought this was a burn and rang me. I came over and looked at it. I knew it couldn't have been a burn as it was too pink and no odour. The skin was hard. I have seen many a wild Blue tongue with similar injuries with signs of scale lift, usually from dog or bird attacks.
I cleaned the wound with 3% peroxide and cut off the dead skin with a scaple. I then applied betadine to the wound.
I then applied Melaluca Honey to the wound, which I learnt in a Sydney Wildlife course (aids in the healing process), placed a guaze over this followed by a small bandage and toddlers sock. This is to stop the bandage comming undone and adding extra tightness or discomfort to the animal when it moves around.
I then instructed him to consult veterinary assistance ASAP.
I feel for these people and their animals. How someone could sell an unhealthy animal and then give incorrect advice like pop it, is beyond me. Maybe I am just too honest.
The main point to all this, is too educate the unknowing. I'm sure there are people out there that have had cases where they have been to afraid to ask for help from an experienced herp (because they feel stupid, or we will think less of them) or seek vet advice due to them thinking it is minor or will go away.
If unsure please just ask. Thats why places like this exist. For you and yours animals well being.
Thanks
Damian[/img]
