Things Every Serious Herper Should....
 

... have on hand for treatment of sick reptiles.

MEDS:

betadine solution antiseptic solution - a very good for disinfectant! iodine in this solution inhibits bacterial growth. also good for soaking animals with mite infestation.

hydrogen peroxide - excellent for disinfecting open wounds or ulcers. also for cleaning out mouth in treating mouth rot.

isopropyl alcohol - general disinfectant on inanimate objects, not to be used in place of hydrogen peroxide! alcohol negates the healing process.

bacitracin topical oinment OR neosporin (topical antibiotic) - good for small nicks, lacerations, or burns to prevent infection, or to treat minor skin infections.

bacitracin irrigation solution - great of cleaning out dirty wounds.

equate bedding spray - excellent for killing mites that live in your reptiles cage!! it cost $4.00 a can and has .50% permithrin as the active ingedient!!!

it is not a bad idea to get in good with your local vet so you can get prescription meds easily... there are a variety of antibiotics specific for certain kinds of bacteria.

SUPPLIES:

small and large syringes - you can find these on certain auction websites in various sizes. 30cc is good for irrigation, 60cc is good for tube feeding.

red rubber urethral catheter (without balloon) - this is for connecting to syringe. use appropriate size tube for animal. btw, this would be the exact same method a vet hospital would use to tube feed... this is somewhat traumatic for the animal so it is recommended someone who has experience do this procedure.

cotton tip applicators or q-tips - for applying topical meds or cleaning out wound.

derma-bond or liquid skin adhesive - great for repairing minor skin lacerations that would otherwise require a few stitches (always irrigate an open wound with an a sterile antibiotic solution for prevention of infection). you can usually find this stuff over the counter at your local pharmacy.

sterile gauze - use as dressing.

medical tape - to secure dressing.

thats it for now.... if you have anything to add, tricks, or new methods please go for it!

btw - this post is just a recommendation. if your animal is sick beyond your control find a qualified veterinarian right away!

good luck!

I wouldn't use H2O2 for mouthrot. It can lyse cells, leave free radicals in tissue (not certain of this)?, and leave traumatized areas for bacteria to colonize.
Better to dilute betadine tenfold and hold the snakes head at a downward angle and then irrigate without getting anything in the glottis or back in the throat. Q-tips can be used (dipped in the solution) prior to irrigation. Once a day works quite well for minor mouthrot.

Silvadene works better than neosporin for topical problems. Lets the skin breathe, unlike petroleum based topicals, and I believe it has some antifungal properties as well. Not certain on this.

But Silvadene is from the vet only, hence the reccomendation to get in good is a darn good idea.

Hydrogen peroxide does more harm than good: yes it kills germs but also works against healing, so don't use it on live tissue you're trying to help. (I agree with dhaisten's post above.)
I can also vouch for Silvadene topical.