What Would the best thing to do about a ball python with mouth rot(unconfirmed), stitches that have not came out, a healing wound that is not fully closed, retained eye caps and whos not eating be? I have not seen the snake to know what it is for sure, but from what ive been told it sounds like these things. Taking it to the vet is out of the question, its what I would do were it mine, but its not. however I may end up trying to rehab this snake at my house myself, though this may be out of the question (first the turtle, now this)
No pictures, i havent even seen the snake to describe it, i was just told this is what was going on with it.

Were I to attempt to rehab him I would probaly remove the stitches that have not came out already, if left in who knows what problems they could pose. keep the wound clean, though what works best for this, betadine?, chlorhexadine?, neosporin? help to soften and remove the eye caps, but what about feeding. Ive always heard never force feed snakes, but is that true, or are there other ways to get it to eat. Ive been told it is starting to lose weight.
Any help here would be great.

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"Nobody can do Everything, but Everybody can do Something."

I'd guess its likely once you get the snake into a good environment and get those eyecaps off, it'll regain its appetite. My vet told me when I rescued my boa, which hadn't been fed in a long time, to start with a size smaller then you'd usually feed the snake so as to not "shock his system" (his words) Hopefully it all works out.

Hopefully, the problem is that most of what is stressing the guy out, will take some time to really heal, he's started to lose weight, and its time he may not have.

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"Nobody can do Everything, but Everybody can do Something."

Take a look in my gallery, you will see Wing and Prayer, who are both boas that had untreated moutrot, that caused permanent deformities. As far as the mouthrot goes if it is not bad you can treat it at home, however I am not a fan of that and dont agree with that, mouthrot is usually a seconcary infection going on, so chances are there is something underlying causeing the problem that you dont even know about, So again I would suggest a vet and you will probably need injectable antibiotics.
What are the stitches for? Who put them in, hopefully a vet did, and a vet needs to take them out, to make sure whatever he stitched is healed properly.
What is the wound from? does it need stitches?
Force feeding snakes is not easy, I have done it plenty but always as a last resort, The condition this snake is in is obviously not going to encourage it to eat. I would worry about solving all these problems and getting it to the vet, let it settle in, then try to feed, if that does not work,, then go from there. If you have never force fed a snake do not do it on your own, as you can actually kill the snake if not done properly.

The one thing I would like to say is that I think you have a great heart and its in the right place,,,,,,,HOWEVER, once you take these animals into your home they become YOURS, they then become your responsibility to provide for, This does include any all all veterinary care they need. If you cannot provide for them like that than you would probably be better off not taking them in. Believe me I know its tough to turn them away, I turn away hundreds a year, I also realize by turning them away you are pretty much signing their death certificates. However you are only you, and one you can only do so much. The turtle you just took in is going to cost yuo a pretty penny if you cant get that one moved to the rescue. One thing you also need to remember is that rescues are not always just going to have open arms for animals that come with 500 dollar bills attached to them right at the beginning. Most rescues are funded out of pocket, so it depends omn the situation of that particular person. If yuo are thinking you will take it until you can get it to a rescue,, I would not bank on that idea.
Again I think your heart is in the right spot and KUDOS to you for that, but just keep a level head and only take what you can afford to rehab correctly yourself. Not everything can be treated at home. The snake and the turtle dont sound like they should be.
I hope this helps,,,just two cents from someone who has ran a rescue for years.
Good luck with all this!

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I have sucker tattood on my forehead

The Ball Python had an open wound (not sure why) that was stitched up, this was done by a vet, the snake was on medication, and was healing, however somebody thought it looked thin so they tried to feed it an adult mouse, they left it unattended, and the mouse ate some of the dead skin, and some of the stitches off the wound and the wound opened back up. I beleive the mouth rot may come from the wound being opened up again, or from the stitches stil being in, From what ive been told the mouth rot is not incredibly severe, its on one side of the snakes mouth, but it keeps coming back. I have not even seen this snake, so im not sure how bad it is, just going by what ive been told. As of now without extra care I doubt he will make it. and for now as much care as he is getting is neosporin once a day on the wound and having his mouth cleaned out. They try feeding him occasionaly, and beleive there trying with canned dog or cat food, dont know if that will do anything, but he wont eat it regardless. Other then that there esentially "waiting for him to die" Ive never forcefed a snake anything but medication before, and am hesitant to try it with any food, though were I ever to it would be pinkies in a syringe style feeder. Im not really sure about bringing the snake home, mainly looking for advice to pass on to the woman taking care of him. its at the point where anything is better then nothing.
as far as bringing him to my house im mainly concerned with gettng the stitches out, and maybe getting the eye caps off, both would be easier where I could closely monitor them, just like the turtle, who is at my house now because its the only way I can check on him every day. both the snake and the turtle still have life in them, or I probaly wouldnt be helping them. Even if I cant get them the vetrinary attention they need, im also unwilling to "sit back and watch" Id rather do what I can, then nothing. I truly hope they survive, but if they dont then id rather have tried then just sat by. I appreciate the advice, get where your coming from, and I respect that. I just have a different opinion on when to do nothing, and when to do anything.

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"Nobody can do Everything, but Everybody can do Something."

ok, if it was treated by a vet the first time by the owner, why is it not being treated after the next injury? It clearly needs additional care, due to the mistake of the owner, so why not get it the proper care?

There are TONS of herp vets in MD. Not sure about the annapolis area, but take a drive up to Fallson, MD and there is a great one on Belair Road. I'm sure there are more.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

This poor guy has been through a few different hands. He was with one person when the injury happened and was seen by a vet, another when the mouse hurt him, and now with the woman who is taking care of him. She is not going to take him to a vet, but is taking better care then the one who let the injury happen would give.

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"Nobody can do Everything, but Everybody can do Something."

I totally get where you are coming from,, however,, doing just a little or what you can will not save this snake. It definately needs antibiotics from the vet. Isnt there an animal control that can be called? Homeopathic treatment will not help this animal, the mouthrot is a secondary infection going on, if it keeps coming back,, the problem is,, is that the underlying cause is not being treated. I would assume that the vet will run you about 50 bucks to walk in the door, 25 for antibiotics, and maybe 16 for a shot of vitamin k to help its already depleted body. I am not sure what it will cost to have the stitches removed and the new wound sutured, I would bank on about 175 bill.
I really do get what you are saying about trying to help it. However if you are not in a position to PROPERLY care for the animal with vet care,,, in all reality it would make you no better than where this snake came from. Doing rescue is just that,, you rescue and give that animal any and all proper care that it needs. A big heart is great, but a big heart will not save this snake,,,, a credit card or cash will, lol.
Good luck with your decision!

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I have sucker tattood on my forehead

Thanks.
I spent some time last night googling mouth rot, infections in snakes, home remedies and so on. And from what I could find, theres next to nothing I could really do about the mouth rot without a vet. Mainly because I can't get the proper antibiotics without a vet doing a culture. I still have not seen the snake, but I do beleive the secondary infection may be the stitches that must be removed, enless the infection has reached the throat or lungs. The snakes best shot is a vet, but enless I can find someone who will take the snake off her hands and have it seen by a vet, i don't see that happening. I may contact a few more rescues. I also may check a few of the local vets to see if theres anyway I can set up a barter system for vet care. I don't see it happening, but its worth a shot and if I can that would be great, i could afford to work a a little, or do favors, build stuff, whatever, to get the animals the care they need.
Worst case scenario, i may have to go and remove the stitches myself. Im not sure if this is the best thing to do, but the wound cant heal with the ingrowing stitches still there.
The newer wound. from what ive been told, is not completely open, its like when a wound first closes up, but isnt healing completly. It may not need stitches, but im worried removing the stitches could make it worse. Any opinions about this?

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"Nobody can do Everything, but Everybody can do Something."

do not remove the stitches yourself. It is the responsibility of the person who has the snake at the moment. Also there are laws in certain areas that could bite you in the behind if you do it yourself and something happens,, she may be able to press charges against you. Basically it boils down to,, if you cant take the snake and get it proper care and treatment, you are going to have to walk away,, I know that is hard, it breaks your heart, but that is what has to happen in reality. If I was closer I would probably take it myself,, but I am not, so the only thing I can do is offer some advice, for what its worth.

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I have sucker tattood on my forehead