Burns

Symptoms:

  • Reddening of light-colored areas, usually the belly
  • Blistering
  • Open wounds with no apparent cause

Cause:

  • Contact with an unguarded heat bulb or other heating device
  • Using a heat mat without a thermostat
  • Malfunctioning thermostat
  • Heat rocks

Treatment:

Blisters and open wounds should be treated by soaking in a providone/iodine and water solution for 30 minutes daily until the injury has healed. A topical antibiotic like Neosporin, silver sulfadiazine cream, or Betadine ointment should be applied to the burned area after soaking. Some owners have reported that they have used CBD oil successfully to accelerate the healing of reptile burns.

As with humans, a burn can dehydrate your snake, so make sure they have plenty of fresh water to drink.

Depending on the size of the burn, it may be necessary to sterilize your boa’s enclosure and place them in quarantine until the injury heals.

If the boa begins to shed the burned tissue, the burn is large, or seems particularly deep, veterinary care is required. Burns can quickly lead to dangerous bacterial infections if left untreated. When in doubt, always call the vet.

A boa burn can take a long time to heal — it may take several shedding cycles before your pet begins to look like him/herself again. However, there will likely be permanent scarring.

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