Injured Mac

[Horsy]

Today was my second day working at a Pet Store and they've put me in charge of the reptile section because they know next to nothing about them. I'm so stoked about that and I get to handle all the blueys and scorpians, lizards and snakes. Even hermit crabs! Haha. But anyway yesterday I saw a mac who had an extremely ripped neck and they told me this was caused by masking tape on the light. I scowled at them saying this was thevery reason you should NEVER use masking tape or any sort of tape in a reptile enclosure so i took it all out. This poor, poor Mac. It's neck is shredded and so thin. He can't stretch properly to eat so I tried feeding him the smallest of smallest pinkie mice I could find but he wasn't interested.
So today I go back and this snake is thrashing around with a mouth packed full of sand. His head was swelled three times it's normal size and he looked so strained. I grabbed him and pulled out as much of the sand as I could with tweezers but a little bit was still stuck that he wouldn't let me get so I grabbed some betadine to help soothe his throat and bathed him in luke warm water for a few minutes, then squirted water into his mouth and put him in a small clickclack full of newspaper (no way was I going to let him eat anymore sand!) and repeated this throughout the day.
I wasn't sure if it was the best thing I could have done but they refused to call a vet and I didn't know what else to do and by the end of today he was looking much better. They asked me to take him home and care for him and I agreed so now he's in my room. I feel so sorry for him and hope he survives. Will take photos of him tomorrow; he truely is gorgeous. Such beautiful markings and light, I'd consider him to be a blonde mac. His head is pretty big and his neck so small..he looks so odd. My heart went out to him and now I'm determined to bring him back to good health.

Any suggestions would be fantatic =]

[bjbk18]

Hope he gets better mate!!!!! im sure you will take good care of him. The owners of the pet shop should really take him to the vet to get it checked out to see if theres anything better that could be done

[VinceFASSW]

Poor thing.

Good luck. I have little experience so my best wishes is all I can offer at the moment.

[Horsy]

I'd take him to the vet if they paid but I just don't have the money to pay for it myself so I'm doing the best I can =]

[Troy 1000]

Give him some time to himself. He is probably very stressed out.

[Trousa_Snake]

I suggest you get them to stop selling reptiles and get a job in a shop that actualy cares for there livestock.

But good on you for looking after the poor mac.- Must be a really good shop if they don't want to take it to a vet.

[Horsy]

Well they've now put me in charge of the reptile section so you can bet I'll be making sure all of them have great care. All the reptiles had no hides so I was like "They need hides. I'm taking some off the shelf for them" and the manager just goes "Okay Jess, whatever you think needs to be done"

[Bonustokin]

Horsy, If the animal has serious injuries ( which it does) im pretty sure the petshop is required by law to get it medical attention. I would explain to your employer that it needs to get to a vet asap, and if your employer is still being unreasonable, i would report it to the RSPCA and/or take it to the vet anyway and explain your situation, im sure they would do something...

My suggestions are keep him warm so he can heal himself ( 32 degrees C.), watch the wound doesnt get fly blown, keep his cage really clean so the wound doesnt get infected and i would try to get him to a vet for a shot of antibiotics asap. You could also make a mixture of betadine and water roughly 1part betadine 4parts water in a spray bottle and spray the wound twice a day for 3 or 4 days, but then stop spraying so it can dry out and heal. If you do that, give it a good spray with alot of pressure so the mixture is sure to get into the wound. The snake wont like it, but you are helping...

Good luck
Bill.

[Horsy]

I did that betadine stuff today.
I'm wondering if the vet would give him medical attention if I explained that it belonged to the petshop and I have no money but he really needs to be looked at and helped. Do you think they would? I have $2.30 to last me until Monday.

[Bonustokin]

Horsy, I would ring the vet and explain the situation and ask if they can help you at ANY time possible... you could say he probably only needs a shot of antibiotics.

If you have a local vet you go to for your pets, ask them first.....
good luck matey.

[Horsy]

I do have one I took my beardie too. She was so lovely. Rang up every few days after she sent him home to check on him.

Thanks heaps, I'll call them.

[tfor2]

Depending on what area of brissie you are in there is a great herp vet at deception bay.
The surgery is called deception bay vet clinic.
They are very good and caring.
Your employer is bound by laws to enforce the care and protection of all animals in its care.
I never knew there was a pet shop in brissie that would do such a thing.
Good luck with the little guy whatever happens.

[Horsy]

They get vet care for all their other animals. They love all their animals. They jsut don't..understand reptiles I guess. I'm glad I'm not in charge of all the reptiles so they can be looked after properly.

[Rosemary]

HOrsy there is a product called GoldenSeal that you can get from health food shops. I have used this on pythons with all sorts of wounds (usually heals stuff over night) and it the most wonderful stuff. If you cant get the python to a vet invest in a jar of this - last time I bought it , it was around $15 but well worth it and lasts forever. It comes in capsule or ointment form you will need the ointment

[pythoness]

please contact me pm hunny. i rescue wildlife, and can have this boy treated, as my vet does wildlife for free, he will need anti-biotics and pain reliefe, and i can get him this for free, or close to it. i'm in the Algester area and will be away all day tomorrow, but please pom me, i can be of great help ;D