Last nights events - A friend in need

[Glimmerman]

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]

[Hally]

i cant belive that any one could let them get like that it looks so paintful...sorry thing

[josho]

That really makes me sad

[Sdaji]

Tell your friend that cooling such a sick animal is a bad idea and perhaps even more importantly, never, ever, ever, ever, ever use a sick animal for breeding or expose it to another animal for any reason at all. I'm not sure what this 'skin parasite' is, but if it actually is a parasite, it is contagious. Quarantine is important.

[Glimmerman]

I told him that it has to be heated up.

When I left his house last night, it was in a 100 litre tub with a heat mat under half. I also helped him put a cross branch for him too get off the floor if it wants. I advised him that HEAT is required to assist in the healing process.

This was the first time I saw this animal. It is an absolute shame this happened. It is a beautiful Coastal.

Thanks for your input

[danw]

That's horrible....I hope it all goes alright.
"Melaluca Honey to the wound, which I learnt in a Sydney Wildlife course (aids in the healing process"-did you mean Manuka honey from Comvita? Because I used that once on one of my lizards for healing purposes and it worked a treat.

[indicus]

lucky the guy asked for your help....good on ya Glimmerman, well done.
Should advise your mate to get a few books togeather, and do a bit of reading; you can never know enough.

[Glimmerman]

Dawn Thats the One. Thick dark gold texture. I got some from a member which I keep in my cupboard for call outs. I'm at work so I don't have the book to look up the spelling. Cheers - Thanks for that.

[salebrosus]

Silvazine cream is pretty good for scale rot too. But only use it after you put betadine on first.

Simone.

[jessop]

Thanks for sharing that glimmerman... As disgusted as it makes me that the pet shop sold your friend a sick animal, i think everyone on this site can learn something from your friends misfortune. I hope the poor coastal recovers quickly and lives a long healthy life! Good work glimmerman, will remember that manuka honey for possible future complications...

[LUCIAN]

so sad, has your friend had a diagnsois from the vet yet. just as well your friend was able to call you glimmerman. good job!

[spottie]

let us all no how it works out for him or her.

[Glimmerman]

Originally Posted by jessop

As disgusted as it makes me that the pet shop sold your friend a sick animal,

Just to clarify, it was a private sale, NOT through a Pet shop of any kind.

It is a sad misfortune, hence why I thought it would be good for others to see, I think awareness and experience are the greatest form of education.

[jeramie85]

thanks for sharing that
even tho it is sad

but may educate some

[GARTHNFAY]

Good on you Damien...helping out a friend!
There is just sooo much bad info out there.
A fella we know purchased a pair on children's....the person who sold them to him told him that they can't be separated or they will die....he believed them!!! So just goes to show!!