The biggest danger with severe burns, as has been pointed out, is potential infection. The continuous protective barrier of skin that normally prevents bacteria from entering cells has been broken. The wound can be come infected whether kept dry or if it gets wet. However, water within an animal’s enclosure will be far from sterile and being moist, the bacteria within are likely already active, rather than encysted spores. That is why it is a ready source of rapid infection.
As someone else pointed out, recommending the use of something like Teatree oil without a known appropriate dilution rate is not a good thing. The use of Betadine I have seen recommended in dilutions varying from 1 to 10 down to 1 to 150. it is something I intend to ask a reptile vet mate when next I see him.
Here is the link to known reptile vets. The nearest is in Townsville and then Cairns.
http://www.aussiepythons.com/wiki/Reptile-Vets.
Jen, the reason people considered you were being harsh is that the nearest reptile vet is located about the same distance away from her as Perth to Carnarvon or Perth to Kal and half way back again. Mt Isa would possibly be the most isolated large town or small city in Australia.
A brick to dispatch a small animal might be fine. But for anything large and of substance, no. It may not have sufficient mass, you cannot swing to increase velocity and unless you have large hands and a bit of strength to go with it, it is not so easily controlled. If you are hell bent on taking something out in that manner, then a hammer, a gympie or the blunt end of a tomahawk would all be preferable to a brick. Ensure that you hit the middle of the head just behind the eyes to destroy the brain box. The animal should be cooled so that it is sluggish and nonreactive prior to being dispatched. Vets usually normally use injections of barbiturates to put down dogs and cats. These are also effective with reptiles. They work quite quickly where administered intravenously but can take a lot longer if injected into the body cavity (coelom).
Northwest Wildlife Carers (Joyce Brogden) Mt Isa, 07 4743 5773
Maybe if you had actually looked for a carer in the isa, you'd have found one. If Joyce won't take it, she'll at least give you better advice than the rubbish you've been given here so far.
Good on you for taking the time to locate a local carer. That is what she needs! Just don’t be too harsh on her as she may have looked in the local phone book and not been able to find one. I have had that problem on a number of occasions and now, almost always back it up with an internet search. I reckon phone books are great for helping change light bulbs and that’s about it.
I am just wondering why you lumped all the advice together and evaluated it as “rubbish”. I did a bit of background research on Joyce and her expertise seems to be primarily with mammals and birds. I just wonder why you feel she would have more to offer with respect to reptiles than some highly experienced keepers who specialise in reptiles?
Blue