Yafe - Albino Carpet - FINAL - Progression Thread

All,

If you've been following along, Yafe has had a tough go of it since we got him.

Shipping delays: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-Carpet-Python

Full Blown Respiratory Infection within 2 days of being with us: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ression-Thread

He's on the road to recovery, and I am optimistically starting this thread, for when I close the above one and Yafe is 100% healthy, eating, and ready to have a happy, healthy, life, with me and SunshineWalker.

Well, Yafe has eaten, and gotten a clean bill of health from the vet.

Time to start adding to this thread! Finally!

I'll post some pictures soon, but below is a link to a video of him home from the vet and "cleared for duty!"

​Link of a happy and healthy Yafe: https://streamable.com/f6ma2

So happy for you all :)

Wait, he got a clean bill of health? Are you saying that the RI is done and gone?

That would be wonderful!

If that is explained in the video I apologize as I'm at work and can't watch it now.

Yafe I'm proud of you, I know you can't read or understand this words but you are a fighter, you never gave up... neither did your dad and mom ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RickyNY

Yafe I'm proud of you, I know you can't read or understand this words but you are a fighter, you never gave up... neither did your dad and mom ;)

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Thanks RickyNY, that means a lot to all of us.

Yafe did not give up; he did not quit. That RI was a real pain in the you know what. It got better, then worse, then better, then much worse, etc. It kept knocking him down, but he kept fighting back. I really respected that.

He didn't eat for 8 weeks and lost 5 grams the whole time - from 120G to 115G. That gave me hope.

Lots of other little things gave me hope.

His movements and grip on me got calmer and easier, even if he still sounded bad. He seemed more alert and active. He was feeling better and fighting harder even he didn't sound it. He began spending more time with his head down when he rested and less time with it elevated against the tank corners/walls. When I disinfected the tank (regularly) I was finding fewer and fewer mucus streaks on the tank walls, etc. As discouraging as it was at times, and as down as I got, and as ready as others' were to quit on him, I wasn't. I kept asking him to give me a sign, anything, to keep fighting with him. He always did.

He's my buddy. We are going to be buddies for a long time. This is going to be a distant memory and when he's big and strong we can laugh about it together.

You did a amazing job Dakski, that's for sure. And you have now become our resident RI specialist! :gj:
Not wishing any snake a RI, but if it happens, you will be the guy to get in touch with for tips and support. :salute:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RickyNY

You did a amazing job Dakski, that's for sure. And you have now become our resident RI specialist! :gj:
Not wishing any snake a RI, but if it happens, you will be the guy to get in touch with for tips and support. :salute:

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If you say so!

Seriously. I did learn a lot. Happy to help anyone I can with what I’ve learned.

I couldn't be happier for you & Yafe most of all! Way To Go!!! :gj:

Great news! So glad to hear the vet gave him a clean bill of health. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JRLongton

Wait, he got a clean bill of health? Are you saying that the RI is done and gone?

That would be wonderful!

If that is explained in the video I apologize as I'm at work and can't watch it now.

---

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dianne

Great news! So glad to hear the vet gave him a clean bill of health. :)

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I want to be really clear here.

He is currently symptom free, he ate Saturday, he's held down the meal, and he is looking and acting like a normal snake!

Having said that, the vet is open the possibility (with low probability) that symptoms return, but that it's likely just residual gunk that needs to clear out. She doesn't think even that happens at this point. She thinks we were dealing with a difficult and resistant RI.

She believes the bacteria is dead and that he will be fine now, especially if he keeps eating and has energy and his immune system is/continue to recover.

On the odd chance his symptoms return, and persist, she will re-culture, and we will re-evaluate. She refuses, will not even consider, more antibiotics now, as a preventative measure, as he's had more than enough already.

So, bottom line, he should be fine from here on out and looks and sounds great and is eating. However, there is a little room for things to get worse again.

So, "clean bill of health" may have been an overstatement, but could also be completely accurate. I just don't want to mislead anyone. I am feeling great about him right now and will feel even better if he eats Thursday night (two nights from now).

Having said all that, I do feel it was time to move on to this thread and start his progression thread as he eats, grows, sheds, etc. and (hopefully) continues to live a happy and healthy life with us.

Congrats all around ...

well done

I’m going with the positive thinking mantra....he’s symptom free, so he is healthy. :D

He couldn’t ask for better advocates than you and Katie, so I choose to believe the worst is behind all 3 of you. 💜

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phillydubs

Congrats all around ...

well done

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Thanks bro. Your support every step of the way helped a lot! Much love and appreciation brother.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dianne

I’m going with the positive thinking mantra....he’s symptom free, so he is healthy. :D

He couldn’t ask for better advocates than you and Katie, so I choose to believe the worst is behind all 3 of you. 💜

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Dianne,

I agree. Positive thinking is the way to go.

It means a lot that you, and others here, have said what great advocates and what a great job we did for Yafe. I think so too, but I don't think too much about it. He's a cool guy and in his own way, he appreciates it and he's been kind right back at us. He's had so many opportunities to be difficult or nippy or unpleasant, and he hasn't been any of those things. Not that I would have held that against him, but I can tell, he's a kind soul. He deserved the love and care and as I said earlier, we are going to be buddies for a long time.

I am just glad this is over. I've been so focused on it and wrapped up so tight and so anxious about it. It will be nice to take a deep breath and just watch the poor guy eat and grow and enjoy life.

Okay, today Yafe seemed calm and docile and is still flicking his tongue. However, he is popping a little bit and when I took him out for a quick once over, he did a few muscle "squeezes" on my arm when he had, what appeared to be, a particularly uncomfortable, pop/clearing out of gunk.

He is resting comfortably in his tank now and his head is level and not up or elevated. Good signs.

The vet said he can have symptoms for a while after the bacteria is gone and not to worry over minor symptoms unless things really regress and for a while. She doesn't want to introduce anymore antibiotics right now anyway.

I was planning to offer food again tomorrow (5 days from last feed, a 9G hopper - a very small meal for him). However, I've decided food is good and can only give him strength. So I am offering a, still, small meal, tonight, but not as small. I normal meal for him is a 15G or so weaned mouse. I will offer a 12G or so hopper tonight and see if he takes it. I do not plan on feeding every 4 days normally, but these are extenuating circumstances. Food = nourishment and strength and can only help him get better. I also don't want to risk symptoms getting worse before he gets more nutrients and strength and potentially does not eat again.

I'll keep everyone posted. I am very optimistic he will eat tonight.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakski

Okay, today Yafe seemed calm and docile and is still flicking his tongue. However, he is popping a little bit and when I took him out for a quick once over, he did a few muscle "squeezes" on my arm when he had, what appeared to be, a particularly uncomfortable, pop/clearing out of gunk.

He is resting comfortably in his tank now and his head is level and not up or elevated. Good signs.

The vet said he can have symptoms for a while after the bacteria is gone and not to worry over minor symptoms unless things really regress and for a while. She doesn't want to introduce anymore antibiotics right now anyway.

I was planning to offer food again tomorrow (5 days from last feed, a 9G hopper - a very small meal for him). However, I've decided food is good and can only give him strength. So I am offering a, still, small meal, tonight, but not as small. I normal meal for him is a 15G or so weaned mouse. I will offer a 12G or so hopper tonight and see if he takes it. I do not plan on feeding every 4 days normally, but these are extenuating circumstances. Food = nourishment and strength and can only help him get better. I also don't want to risk symptoms getting worse before he gets more nutrients and strength and potentially does not eat again.

I'll keep everyone posted. I am very optimistic he will eat tonight.

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That's what I'd do too...lighter fare & a little closer together...he really does need to build up his strength now. :gj:

Well, today is going from bad to worse regarding Yafe.

Not only was he symptomatic again this afternoon, but he refused his meal tonight as well.

I offered and he seemed super interested, but no strike. I left it for about twenty minutes, but no dice.

I took it out, re-warmed it, and re-offered. Again, clear interest, but no strike. I left it again, for an hour and he sat, 1/2 inch away, eyeing it the whole time, but never took it.

Finally, I removed it. I'll offer again Sunday when everyone else eats (4 days from now).

"Okay Dave, deep breathes. It's one day. He had a decent meal 4 days ago. He's still flicking his tongue and he's resting with his head down. No noticeable mucus, no wheezing, no snot bubbles, etc. STAY CALM and wait this out. Things could get better or worse, but worrying about it isn't helping at all. The vet said give it a couple of weeks and that she doesn't want to do anything before then. The bacteria can be gone, but it can still take time for everything to clear out. DEEP BREATHES. You are doing everything you can for him."

:worry:

I'm so sorry, that is discouraging. But you only fed him 4 days ago, after HOW LONG with no food? So his stomach might need a slower start, now that I think
about it. Still, I didn't want to hear about his symptoms coming back, no matter how minor...:disbelief that truly stinks. :frustrate
(starting this thread may have jinxed it?)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I'm so sorry, that is discouraging. But you only fed him 4 days ago, after HOW LONG with no food? So his stomach might need a slower start, now that I think
about it. Still, I didn't want to hear about his symptoms coming back, no matter how minor...:disbelief that truly stinks. :frustrate
(starting this thread may have jinxed it?)

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Thanks Bogertophis.

Yeah, not pleased about the symptoms. DEEP BREATHES. I'll offer food Sunday, and in the meantime, keep the temps dialed in (what else is new) and humidity closer to 65-70% (which I've been doing) as opposed to 55-65%, which is normal for him. I am hoping the higher humidity helps clear out what's left. Again, holding on to the positives; tongue flicks, good activity levels, head flat and not elevated, no noticeable mucus, no wheezing, he did eat 4 days ago and for the first time in 8 weeks, etc. Overall, things are looking up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakski

Thanks Bogertophis.

Yeah, not pleased about the symptoms. DEEP BREATHES. I'll offer food Sunday, and in the meantime, keep the temps dialed in (what else is new) and humidity closer to 65-70% (which I've been doing) as opposed to 55-65%, which is normal for him. I am hoping the higher humidity helps clear out what's left. Again, holding on to the positives; tongue flicks, good activity levels, head flat and not elevated, no noticeable mucus, no wheezing, he did eat 4 days ago and for the first time in 8 weeks, etc. Overall, things are looking up.

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When I’ve had snakes go an extended period without food, I will often offer smaller prey and sometimes allow a little extra time in between...say every 10 days instead of every 7 for hatchlings/neonates. I did this with Merlin (Solomon Island) when I first got him. I had a very difficult time getting him to feed because he was wild caught. He’s the only snake I’ve had to resort to assist feeding in 27 years of keeping snakes. Granted this was more stressful for both of us, but I felt he needed the time in between to digest and recuperate. I’ve also done this with Eli (normal bp) when he has gone on extended fasts, offering mice before moving back up to rats. It’s the same practice with neglected fur babies, small meals to prevent regurgitation and to allow their shrunken stomach to adjust to food again.

I think the RI and treatments have probably taken quite the toll on little Yafe...not to mention you and Katie. Since he just ate after an extended fast for his age/size, he may need a bit more down time. Keep up the great care you are providing, keep the faith, and try again in a few days. I’m rooting for all of you to make it through this healthy, happy, and soon to be stress free. :D

While it is true that Carpet Pythons are not Ball Pythons, they do still stress.

Just look at what Yafe has been through since leaving his former home.

He had just gotten "used to" the routine (yet stressful) daily treatments. So perhaps he felt just comfortable enough to finally take some food and eat it. But a day later there was yet another stressful event, the transport to the Vet, Vet examination, Trip back home. All while still digesting his meal. While the biggest part of the meal gets broken down within a day or two, digestion isn't done in that short amount of time.

Its a lot on him. A lot of stress.

I would treat him like a "newly arrived snake". Meaning, leaving him mostly alone to de-stress. Peek in on him, but keep even that to absolutely necessary minimum. Give him time to finish the digestion. Digestion is a big process for a snake. True, they gain energy from the nutrition, but they also use up quite some energy in the process. Everything in their body starts working hard.

It is no big deal at all to wait a few days at this point. Offer on Sunday and if no go, wait another week. Perhaps you will have better luck once he trusts his new routine and starts feeling safer. Perhaps he needs to have a bowel movement, however small that may end up.

His system has went through so much. Illness, stress, meds, treatments, more stress.

He isn't emaciated, he isn't going to waste away. Us humans want to heal and nurture. For us that means rest and good food. A snake needs nutrition too, but their metabolism is quite different from ours. I firmly believe that during these few days he gains more from "low key/low stress" then another meal 4 days after he ate and with another vet visit since then.

Just breathe and relax. Yafe looks good still. He knows what he can handle and who knows, maybe it is better this way. Would he take food before his body is ready for it, he may have started on a dangerous cycle of regurgitation, which is NOT what any of you need right now.

He has already proven he is willing and able to eat. So he will, once he is willing and able, again.

I know you just want this to be over and done with already and finally begin the journey with a healthy and eating snake. And you are almost there. :)

Thank you Zina10.

Very wise words. Very wise indeed.

Yafe peed, urated, and maybe had a speck of poop in there somewhere. There was quite a bit of urine, so it looks like he's staying hydrated, which is good.

I literally took him out for 2 seconds, put him in his holding container, cleaned his tank, and put him back. To say I didn't spend much time handling him would be an understatement.

What I can say is he was tongue flicks galore. From the moment I went to pick him up through putting him back; flick, flick, flick, flick, etc. That's a good sign. No regression there. I did not spend enough time or hold his head close enough to notice any quiet pops, but there were also no loud/audible popping noises either. Not conclusive, however I wanted to report.

Unless anything more "comes out," or I notice something really bad, he's being left alone until Sunday, when I offer food. I'll advise again Sunday night/Monday morning.

Thank you again to everyone for joining me and supporting me on this roller coaster. It means the world to me, Katie, and Yafe.

Yafe has been tracking me at night the past two nights. Tongue flicks, following me with his head, etc.

So, literally every other snake is due to be offered food tomorrow night and I expect them to eat (except probably Shayna, BP, who is on winter fast and ate last feeding, but hadn't eaten in the prior 2 months). I decided to offer Yafe tonight. He ate last Saturday, so it's been one week, and his behavior seemed to indicate he was interested. I am also able to give him my full attention tonight.

I offered, and he did seem interested. Tongue flicks galore, he tracked it, he poked it, etc. However, no strike. I re-warmed it, offered it again, and the same behavior. I left it for an hour, but he did not eat.

I heard no wheezing or popping and he seemed okay, and has been active lately. I have not taken him out, handled him, got close enough to hear him breath, etc. However, he continues to flick his tongue, sleep/rest with his head down, move around the tank from hot spot to cool spot, from hide, to next to hide, to branches, to hot spot on branches, to cool spot on branches, etc. He's a busy and active little guy. I would like to think he's feeling better.

He will eat when ready.

I am not really sweating it.

I will not handle him until he eats again, or unless he shows me something to worry about, or a reason to take him out (to clean his tank etc.).

I will offer again in another 5 days or so.

I know I've been really worried, but he's showing me enough good signs that I am really not too worried at the moment. Would I have preferred if he ate? Of course! However, I am not by any means freaking out. Again, many positives, and he will eat when ready.

I think he's only just beginning to feel hungry & like hunting again...remember, he hardly knows what food is. Bet he eats next time, in a few days.

(he's probably wondering where you are...it's "time" for you to be poking & prodding him again :confusd: -lol)

If you feel like it, try this next time..

Take the already defrosted rodent and put in hot water for 10 mins. Just hot, not boiling hot. Then drain water and add hot water again. A bit hotter this time, but not burning hand hot. (the smaller the rodent,the shorter the time). 7 minutes or so. Grab the rodent, roll up in some papertowels, take to the cage and only unroll it right before offering.

Something about the minutes in hot water truly warms the rodent through and through and I find that some snakes after a long break want a really good heat signature that goes deeper then just what was blasted by the hair dryer.

If you already do this, disregard ;)

The rodent will be all but dry from the papertowels, plus a little wetness doesn't hurt, makes it go down easier ;)

Good point Zina10, but I do that already. :).

I warm in hot water and dry with paper towels. The corns and boas could care less, but I tend to get a better response from Shayna (BP) - better heat signature that way. The mouse was over 100F when I offered; temp gun verified on multiple spots.

I find my snakes prefer to the hair dryer method as it warms the entire rodent quicker and uniformly.

He was very active again last night and was all over the tank. He will eat when ready. I will offer again in soon, but not too soon.

I'll keep everyone in the loop.

I've got great news, I've got great news, I've got great news! I REPEAT, I have great news!

First, I did offer a mouse a couple of days ago, because he was tracking again, but he did not eat.

I called the breeder and asked if they can do this in the winter, etc. as I know very little about Carpet's. He said that some of them can get picky and just randomly refuse, but that they generally do not lose much weight, keep offering, and they will get back back to eating normally again. He said they generally don't fast as long or as religiously as BP's, but they can have their moments.

I also read on one of EL-Ziggy's threads (shout out brother) that his carpet was picky when young and then grew out of it.

Either way, I am not sweating it too much, but I had an idea, and the breeder thought it was worth trying.

This weekend I am going to offer a rat fuzzy, about the same weight as the small/weaned mice/large hoppers I have been offering Yafe. Maybe that peaks his interest?

Secondly, the really good news.

He was due for a water bowl cleaning today, and frankly, I couldn't take the anticipation anymore; I had to pick him, it's been 2 weeks! I have no idea if he's doing better, the same, or worse. I know he has not regressed to the point of mucus out of the nose, etc. and he has been very active, and when he rests/sleeps, he's been doing so with his head down.

Well, I took him out for 2 minutes to check on him.

He looks, sounds, and acts totally normal. He's calm, his tongue flicks normally and often, he held on to me with a good grip, but without any sudden squeezes or spasm like movements. There were not pops, wheeze, etc. and there was no sign of mucus or nasal discharge at all, new or old.

I think the RI is behind us for good!

Now, we just have to get the stubborn little dude to eat regularly. Why can't he be a good piggie like Figment, Solana, Behira, and Feliz? I guess he would rather be like his sister Shayna, the BP. Great!

Here are a few (iPhone) pictures from today:

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/e5o8BNJ.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/hXi2wCL.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/c2xjAdP.jpg[/IMG]

That is GREAT news D!

Sounds like the RI is in your rear view now. Don't even worry about him not eating. He will. My female albino did the same thing for the first few months when I got her. It can't hurt to try a different prey item. All of my carpets eat whatever I offer them.

Congrats on the progress and keep up the good work brother.

So glad to hear that it sounds like he's completely healed! Fingers crossed he gets his appetite up soon!

One thing I'm wondering is if maybe the prey you've been offering is too small for him to be truly interested? I completely understand why you want to start him off slowly, and it makes sense to offer smaller meals that are easier to digest.

One of our BP's, who is typically a reliable eater, went on a short little 3 week food strike a while back. The only thing that was different is that he had been eating weaned rats, but we switched to trying to offer 2 rat pups to use them up before placing another order. He wouldn't even flick his tongue at those rat pups. I didn't make the connection until we got in more weaned rats a few weeks later and he struck so hard and so fast he scared the crap out of my husband. 😀

I'm sure you probably found this in your research on his breeder (both of our carpets are from them) but figured I'd post it just in case. They have a very particular protocol for the prey they offer since they have so many snakes.

https://www.carpetpythons.com/feedin...t-pythons.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WhompingWillow

So glad to hear that it sounds like he's completely healed! Fingers crossed he gets his appetite up soon!

One thing I'm wondering is if maybe the prey you've been offering is too small for him to be truly interested? I completely understand why you want to start him off slowly, and it makes sense to offer smaller meals that are easier to digest.

One of our BP's, who is typically a reliable eater, went on a short little 3 week food strike a while back. The only thing that was different is that he had been eating weaned rats, but we switched to trying to offer 2 rat pups to use them up before placing another order. He wouldn't even flick his tongue at those rat pups. I didn't make the connection until we got in more weaned rats a few weeks later and he struck so hard and so fast he scared the crap out of my husband. 😀

I'm sure you probably found this in your research on his breeder (both of our carpets are from them) but figured I'd post it just in case. They have a very particular protocol for the prey they offer since they have so many snakes.

https://www.carpetpythons.com/feedin...t-pythons.html

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WhompingWillow,

I'd had this thought, but then got fixated on offering a different prey item - rat fuzzy's.

I am in the process of defrosting a small mouse - 19G (Yafe is 120-125G now). I'll advise shortly if he takes it. He's cruising the tank now. Maybe this is it? He needs bigger prey?

The biggest prey item I've offered to date was a 12G small mouse, but I was mostly offering 9-10G hoppers. The only thing he took was a 9G hopper. That could have been out of pure desperation.

This is a substantial increase in size.

Stay tuned........

Sometimes you just gotta try stuff. Hoping for your success!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakski

whompingwillow,

i'd had this thought, but then got fixated on offering a different prey item - rat fuzzy's.

I am in the process of defrosting a small mouse - 19g (yafe is 120-125g now). I'll advise shortly if he takes it. He's cruising the tank now. Maybe this is it? He needs bigger prey?

The biggest prey item i've offered to date was a 12g small mouse, but i was mostly offering 9-10g hoppers. The only thing he took was a 9g hopper. That could have been out of pure desperation.

This is a substantial increase in size.

Stay tuned........

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*heavy breathing*

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zina10

So happy for you all :)

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They should make a movie about snake owners, just sayin'.

Sorry for the late response; there was some drama.

I offered the 19G mouse. He nailed and wrapped immediately. Then he knocked it off his house, where he had struck and coiled. He then managed to get his head stuck between the branches in his tank, where he had struck from. Then he semi-freed himself, but tried to pull the mouse through the crack he got stuck in and ended up dropping it. By the time he found it again, he seemed to have forgotten that he had "killed" it and had lost interest.

I re-warmed and re-offered and he nailed it quick and coiled again.

He attempted start eating several times, while wrapped around his branches, couldn't seem to get a good angle, and then knocked it off the house again!

I figured I'd leave it and see what he would do.

I came back at 3:30AM (had trouble sleeping) and the mouse was still there, next to the house, and he was in the house!

Poor guy! Either, he forgot he "killed" it again, and lost interest, or it was a little too big. He did attempt to start eating it several times.

So, being wide awake at 3:30AM, and having snake that gladly struck and wrapped a 19G mouse 2X in an hour. I figured, what the heck, let me defrost a mouse in between 9G and 19G, offer, and see what happens. It only takes about 1/2 an hour to defrost a mouse that size, and I have nothing better to do!

I defrosted a 14G small/weaned mouse, warmed it up to about 100F in warm/hot water, and shook in front of his house. He poked his head right out and I shook it a little more. He struck and coiled! Within two minutes, it was going down the hatch!

Not sure if it was the "right size," not too big and not too small, or he was fired up, or I fed on the ground, so he couldn't drop it, or get tangled, etc. Either way, he ate! He ate willingly and happily at that!


WhompingWillow, I owe you big time! So does Yafe! I called Adam with StarPythons yesterday and asked about Rat Fuzzy's, but he didn't mention larger prey items. Maybe he forgot I was offering smaller prey. Rat Fuzzy's are about the same size of what I offered tonight anyway.

Again, not 100% sure it was a prey size issue, but either way, you motivated me to try again!

Either way, hallelujah!

I'll try in the 14-16G range again next time as well and always go a little bigger than I think from now on with him.

Let's get some meat on Yafe!

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/5chCS5X.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/kKHyW8d.jpg[/IMG]

YAY!!! I am so happy he ate, and exuberantly at that! Maybe a little too exuberantly, lol. He probably didn't have much opportunity for climbing previously, so I'm sure he'll figure out how to eat more efficiently with time. :)

A rat fuzzy still probably isn't a bad idea. With his size, I'm thinking he may have been on those at the breeder?

I look forward to many more happy updates about Yafe. :)

Happy dance :)

I told ya, he just needed a bit more time to feel safe again after his last outing, once things became "routine" again, he felt comfortable enough to eat.
So happy for you all :)

He hasn't had much practice eating yet, to know how to navigate branches & obstacles. I'm glad you tried again & with one a little smaller for now...no rush.
Feeding larger prey to a snake that hasn't been eating at all isn't such a good idea anyway. Easy does it. :gj:

Yafe is doing great and kept his mouse down no problem!

Katie held him today and he's doing so well she said it,"melts her heart."

She couldn't believe it; he's a different snake. Still sweet as can be, but so calm and deliberate in his movements and actions.

It think it's time to introduce the new, happy and healthy, Yafe to the world!

Everyone, meet Yafe!

https://streamable.com/oqk9z

You've both done a BEAUTIFUL job of getting Yafe well again...I fully expect he'll be eating regularly from now on too. HAPPY DANCE! :carrot:
He won the lottery when you bought him, you've worked SO hard to help him! Good vet too! :gj:

Way to go Yafe! So glad to see him doing better. Great job Dave and Katie! Let the good times roll!

Aww, he seems so sweet! And so chill! Glad he's feeling better. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WhompingWillow

YAY!!! I am so happy he ate, and exuberantly at that! Maybe a little too exuberantly, lol. He probably didn't have much opportunity for climbing previously, so I'm sure he'll figure out how to eat more efficiently with time. :)

A rat fuzzy still probably isn't a bad idea. With his size, I'm thinking he may have been on those at the breeder?

I look forward to many more happy updates about Yafe. :)

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No, not much climbing at the breeder; rack system.

He was eating small/weaned mice at the breeder when they shipped him and he had only lost 5G over the 7 weeks of not eating and having the RI (which I thought was a great sign and a big reason I never gave up on him). I plan to feed mice until he can take weaned rat (about 30G). I believe small mice and adult mice are more nutritious than rat fuzzies and hoppers, but want to switch him over to rats ASAP, and do not see big difference between an adult mouse and a weaned rat.

I look forward to sharing many more happy updates on Yafe!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zina10

Happy dance :)

I told ya, he just needed a bit more time to feel safe again after his last outing, once things became "routine" again, he felt comfortable enough to eat.
So happy for you all :)

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Thanks Zina10! Katie, Yafe, and I, all appreciate the support along the way. Don't think I won't talk about Aunt Zina10 20 years from now when I talk about baby Yafe and all he went through and how supportive you were! Those PM's helped a lot and kept me focused and calm.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

He hasn't had much practice eating yet, to know how to navigate branches & obstacles. I'm glad you tried again & with one a little smaller for now...no rush.
Feeding larger prey to a snake that hasn't been eating at all isn't such a good idea anyway. Easy does it. :gj:

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Yeah, I am glad I tried a good in between size too.

He had the 9G hopper 2 weeks prior. I agree, the 19G was too big, he told me that, but it was a catch 22. He wouldn't strike at the smaller prey (except the one out of total desperation that he ate) and I had to get him going and eating. Hey, for all I know, the 19G got his food drive going!?!? When I offered the 14G mouse 3 hours later, he was on that like white on rice! He couldn't strike that mouse, wrap it, and swallow it, fast enough!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

You've both done a BEAUTIFUL job of getting Yafe well again...I fully expect he'll be eating regularly from now on too. HAPPY DANCE! :carrot:
He won the lottery when you bought him, you've worked SO hard to help him! Good vet too! :gj:

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Awwwwwww, shucks, Bogertophis! That means a lot. I really want to thank you also. You've been incredibly kind and supportive through this entire ordeal. I knew I could count on your kind words and encouragement virtually every time I posted something about Yafe; good or bad.

As far as I am concerned, Yafe deserved all the love and care he got. He's really a good little dude. Now that I am getting to know him and he's able to show his personality, without all the health issues, he really is a calm and docile and sweet guy. I am so happy and relieved he made it and he's going to be awesome for a long time.

He never quit and I really respect that and there was no way I was going to quit on him. I can also relate.

It's not just the kidney transplant and kidney disease and all the ancillary problems from all that making my daily life a struggle that I have coped with in my life. When I was born, I was born premature, 9 weeks early (and in 1980 - not good - technology was not what it is today). In addition to normal premature baby issues, I had lung issues and my right lung collapsed 24 hours after birth. I was lucky, I was 4 pounds 2 ounces, which is big for a baby that early. That helped. The doctors gave me a 10% chance of survival.

My Grandfather's cousin, a doctor, told my Grandfather, I was going to make it, he could tell, I was a "fighter." He said I would have health issues my whole life, which I have, but that I would get through that.

I've had a lot of issues in my life, not all health issues, and some that I won't share here, but I don't let anything stop me. I keep forging ahead. I know Yafe can't articulate, or even conceptualize that, but he's got fight. In yiddish, we use a word, "chutzpah," meaning "balls, guts, gal," etc. Fitting since he's got a Hebrew name. Either way, he's got it.

I have become friends with Don Soderberg at South Mountain Reptiles, Solana's breeder. I've been keeping him in the loop on Yafe. When I originally told him about the RI, he was 50/50 about me taking him to the vet versus letting him be. I told him, Don, "I've seen mild RI's before in BP's I've fostered. This is not that. This is life or death. I need to intervene." Don was also concerned about finding a good vet, but I wasn't worried about that, as I had one, and I knew what tests needed to be done, what questions to ask, etc.

I have kept Don in the loop since day one.

When I told Don that Yafe ate, after 7 weeks of ups and downs, 30 days of Ceftimazidime injections that were only partly effective, and 21 days of Baytril nebulizer treatments, while still having symptoms, he said, "I had written him off a long time ago. I have no doubt you saved his life."

Don sent me the following the other day after Yafe took his second meal and was symptom free.

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ooXJfmT.jpg[/IMG]

I also want to add here that you, and others here, have thanked Katie as well. She deserves MAJOR KUDOS!

First, she didn't want another snake. We got Yafe. Then he shows up and is near death within two days. She comes with me to the emergency vet until 3AM and then goes to work the next day. She gives him injections, ten, over 30 days, because I can't because I shake too much due to kidney transplant immune suppression meds. She's never had pet reptiles until I moved in, now she has a ton, some of which she knew were moving in and some of which came after the fact (Yafe included in the latter). She had never even held a snake until she met me a year before I moved in, and now she's giving injections to a yearling Carpet Python!

Secondly, Katie, like me, has anxiety at times, and was literally a nervous wreck leading up to, and giving Yafe, each injection. However, each time, she rose to the occasion, and fell apart after. She handled the stress and didn't take it out either me, or Yafe.

This is a woman who not only loves me with all her heart (as I do her), but supports me in my passions, even when some of them they take over 1/3 of our finished basement, and include chest freezers full of rodents in the storage area, and even bugs in her house for 4 out of 6 lizards, and sometimes take time away from Katie and Dave time. Talk about love!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Way to go Yafe! So glad to see him doing better. Great job Dave and Katie! Let the good times roll!

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Thanks brother! As mentioned above, he's a fighter! GO YAFE indeed! He's doing awesome man. Can't wait to share his progression.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WhompingWillow

Aww, he seems so sweet! And so chill! Glad he's feeling better. :)

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He's adorable and a great snake. Handsome and calm and sweet. What else could I ask for?

Giving encouragement is the EASY part....you & Katie have pretty much pulled off a miracle with Yafe.

When it comes to pet care of any kind, you're a tough act to follow! :gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Giving encouragement is the EASY part....you & Katie have pretty much pulled off a miracle with Yafe.

When it comes to pet care of any kind, you're a tough act to follow! :gj:

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Thank you again Bogertophis. I don't know what to say. I did what I know how to do and I would have done 100 out of 100 times.

Either way, to have such great people, and such experienced keepers, tell me, repeatedly that we did a good job, I should just take it in, huh?

Yafe and Dad had some bonding time today. Starting short handling sessions with him. What a mensch. Total sweetheart.

He was slithering by my ear and I heard a crack/pop and my heart stopped. I heard another one, but his head was halfway around my neck.

Very linty shirt! His little scales were catching on the little lint pieces on my t-shirt and when they pulled out they went "crack/pop" really quiet.

Well, that's my heart attack for this year!

Anyway, here's a few "bonding" pics:

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/1b3VI1E.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/jojxUv7.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/3QBAs06.jpg[/IMG]

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/jojxUv7.jpg

Awww you guys look adorable[emoji173]

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

I had Yafe out tonight for a few minutes, and good news and bad news.

Good news. He seems great. He's active and calm and tongue flicks galore with now signs of mucus or a returning RI.

Bad news. He made a few popping sounds when he wrapped around my arm and gripped me tight. To be clear, when he made the sounds, they were quiet/mild and he showed zero discomfort when he made them. In the past, when he gripped me, and made the sounds, he would grip tighter, and was clearly uncomfortable. None of that tonight.

I think it's either the first time since he's felt better he's really gripped something tight and there was a little residual gunk clearing out, or there's some residual gunk is his nasal cavity that I am hoping a good shed will clear out, or time will.

I am about 99% sure that if the RI was going to come back, it would have done so by now. He's eating, he's peeing and pooping, he active, he's acting happy, and he's not making the noises often or consistently. Additionally, he has yet to rest with his head up in the past 2 weeks. He is always resting/sleeping with his head down or flat.

I wanted to update everyone, but to be clear, I am NOT concerned. This is more informational and for others that might have a snake that has gone through an RI, they can heal, but still show residual symptoms for a while.

I am very convinced that he is fine.

With him eating and doing "snake" things, I do believe he is over the RI just like you say.

I do have to say, though, and PLEASE do not take this as criticism. Just as gentle advice which you can follow or not. You are there, you see your snake, you know him better then any of us. But honestly, I would dial back the handling to bare necessity as in moving him to another spot to clean, if needed. Even if he is so much better, its only been a short while since he has gotten over this. And it was quite a drawn out illness with lots of treatments and shots. Stress is bad for the immune system. Having been ill leaves the immune system vulnerable for a few weeks. It takes time to go back to 100%.

Even if he seems calm and fine during handling, we all know, it is still a bit stressful to them. He ate 3 days ago and been handled daily since. Even if just for a short while. It still gets his heart rate up, and probably adrenaline going (do snakes have adrenaline??) His body is still working on digestion, which is hard work, esp. with him having been weakened.

I only say this as a friend, but in my very humble opinion Yafe should still get as much rest, as low stress, as possible, for at least as many weeks as his illness took. Give his immune system every chance to build back up to former and normal strength. Feed him, do maintenance, but keep handling down. If he is a calm and tame snake now, he still will be in a few weeks. I find that the basic personality doesn't change. Even if he is over his former illness, a compromised immune system can quickly weaken again and then become overwhelmed by things it could normally easily fight off.

I don't want to hurt your feelings or get you worried. So I will leave this up only as a friendly suggestion and hope you do not take offense