Question about healing wounds in snakes...

[necoris]

I recently acquired a female ball python that had a fresh wound on its head. I was wondering, because the snake shed, if I should remove the skin above the wound. This would reveal the wound and would allow access for antibiotic ointments although it might just be better to leave the scab alone and let it heal itself. The only thing I was worrying about is if I do leave the skin on, what will happen in future sheds? Will the skin always get caught there? Or will the layer under it push it off and slowly heal itself? I've been reading about it but it doesn't say whether or not to remove the skin, or I should say, scab.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Links to educational sites would also be nice.

Regards,
Dustin J. Cox
Diapsid

[dthomas]

I would leave it alone. It will eventually come off in succesive sheds once the wound has properly healed.

[Cmpyrrhus]

... I would still use an antibiotic and keep the shed on. You may just see that the antibiotic will 'soften' the shed enough as to allow it to come off naturally while also doing its job at healing.

Best bet IMO is to let the scabbed shed thing to heal along with the fresh wound. Removing the shed may stress things, but not sure if your going to see the sheds routinely stick in that spot. I have not had that problem with small wounds and sheds like this.

[necoris]

Thanks for the help and advice guys.

Dustin J. Cox
Diapsid