[Urgent] Injured slow worm advice

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Hi all,

Just registered to query the herp experts about a lovely but injured slow worm I fuond on my windowsill just now!



My question is about the injury. It doesn't look fresh; almost looks leathery. The area immediately surrounding is slightly grey. The slow worm doesn't seem able to move it's body below the injury, which is about one third total length from vent.

Eyes are bright, all else fine, four recent meals from the look - but it is doomed? Is there anything I can do to help?

Thanks to all for any assistance offered.

Best regards,
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[phil2]

looks like a cat has had it, keep an eye on it and wait for a expert to come help.
where about are you?

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Hi Phil, yes, I thought a cat too - I even have a specific one in mind

I'm in West Wales; I'm experienced with leopard geckos, anoles and Lacerta, although I've never bred. My usual herp expert is a long way away.

It seems to have some use of the lower section still; I'm going to put it in a viv for now with some slate and coconut bark as substrate for it'll surely get picked up by the same cat where it is. I'll see how it settles.

Any further advice most welcome!

[phil2]

yes good idea,set it up. do you have leos.i have 1,lovly arnt they. where in west wales,i seen some slow worms there.

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Phil,

I don't look after any herps at the moment apart from this poor slow worm, but I LOVE leos

Loads of slow worms and common lizards here - near Aberystwyth. I saw an adder two years ago here, none since. I've some pics of the local commons and slows I'll post now I've registered.

The slow worm's now exploring a temp viv. I used a substrate of 4" of Carefresh as my coconut bark isn't looking so good, and some slate and wood, with a pipe to hide in. I do hope this is OK and could use some advice on substrate.

As soon as I put it in the viv it burrowed into the substrate and 60 mins later started to explore it's surroundings. Currently lying calmly wrapped around half the viv.

I'm almost certain it's a mature male but I'll get a good markings picture if I can so the more experienced can see what they think. He's quite battle-scarred; the tail was thrown a long while ago and has healed fine. I managed to get another pic of the injury:




There's no sign of any fluids or seepage around the wound. He wraps round to check on the injury every so often but has ignored it for a while now.

I'd like to keep him while he heals, as the cat in question has apparently brought nearly 10 Lacerta vivipara (commons) and they seem to be the same ones repeatedly; I don't want the same to happen to this guy. Any advice the experts can offer would be awesome.

He's not starving, but should I offer food yet?

[phil2]

what advice do you want about the comons?
can we swap houses,id love all that.i havre nothing around me,adders are nearest about 40 miles away.
i would offer some slugs,just put 1 or 2 in.

anything u want to know about leos just ask.

[Jez]

I'd take it to the vets for help

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@Phil, no commons advice needed, meant I didn't want the cat that likes commons to get this slow worm again!

Yeah, I'm really lucky to have all this on my doorstep - it's unusual for me to NOT see a common lizard out basking if it's a hot summer's afternoon!

@Jez, yes, the vet is a likelihood - wanted to see what the experienced eyes round here made of the wound first

[Jez]

All i know is i bought a reptile many moons ago a skink. " never have had captive bread reptile since" which seamed to bear a wound just like your slow worm is suffering with. Back then reptiles were an obsqure pet. It didn't make it! Now vets are very more in the know.

[phil2]

lol i dreamt last night that i had common lizards and slow worms in my garden.so now i want some lol.what is the law concerning bringing some to my garden.