Spinal Injury, specialist vets, need help.

[LucyDiamond]

I have a 3 and a half year old stimson python who has had a spinal injury. The vet's main concern was infection and she's on anti-biotics, and anti-biotic cream, 3 times daily. She hasn't gone into shock, and is moving freely and quiet contently from the injury up.

There is swelling and we're thinking broken bones. We're getting a x-ray as per vet's instruction on Monday. Of course I want one sooner but he said it's best to wait.

We were concerned about internal bleeding but she hasn't hemeraged, and should be fine in that regard.

My main concerns are:

Recovery, she has a small amount of movement in the last 6 - 8 inches.
If there is broken bone, will it need removing so as not to cause problems at a later date.
She'd been in with a mate, so I'm concerned about her laying, if she is going to.

Is there any python/snake specialists in victoria, or interstate if need be. I need any and all options.

Have others had similair problems and how has recovery gone.

And if there is serious spinal damgage (spinal cord) will any organ's below that point still function effecientally.

Please people with genuine interest to help, only.

 

[symbol]

How did the injury occur out of interest?

You mention it can move its last 6 to 8 inches, is it past the cloaca that it can move, or before the cloaca? If its before, you would need to consider if it still has the ability to defecate or not. If its paralysis includes its cloaca, you may need to make a very hard decision.

 

[LucyDiamond]

It's before. Otherwise It'd just be her tail, and I wouldn't be as concerned as I am. I was watching her today and she moves her tail, but not a lot, which appears promising.

I'm not making a hard decision until every possible option is exhausted. Hopefully she'll go to the toilet in time and we'll know. Because I don't feel feeding is appropriate at the moment.

The x-rays should help. But I'm not sure what a general vet could do otherwise, so if need be I'm looking for a specialist.

 

[LucyDiamond]

This evening she moves when I touch her, (below the injury), so that is making me more hopeful, although she barely moves this area at all unless touched, or out for the medication.

 

[symbol]

Where are you from? Perhaps we could make recommendations on a vet for you.

 

[LucyDiamond]

Victoria.

 

[cracksinthepitch]

Some very good vets in Vic for reps, Peninsula based Vet Shane Simpson(i think) Sssnakeman could tell you first hand experience, West of melb is Dr Peter Cameron in Altona Nth, Dr Brendan Carmel has a good rep and i think is in outer east suburbs and a vet in canterbury also has a good rep,
So depends on where u are!!

 

[LucyDiamond]

I live several hours out of melbourne. But distance isn't important, if there were none in victoria, I'd travel out of state. Thanks for the names.