Help!! Very weak BRB

[Jayoen]

Communities on FB have been very harsh, hoping to find help here.

I've had a male BRB for just about 3 years. He is a little underweight, due to a fiasco with not being able to get feeders a year or so ago, but I have been addressing that. Or attempting to, he seems to not put on weight or size.

But, despite this, he has been strong, active, popping, and a great feeder. This morning I went to check on him, since the last time I had seen him out and cruising was a few days ago. Usually he at least peeks his head out.

I was appalled at what he looked like, very weak and lethargic, very dehydrated. My hygrometer took a crap on me and I haven't yet got it replaced. (My first huge mistake). I hadn't thought anything of it since his tub has consistently held Temps and humidity fine. But I think dry winter air sapped it all.

My first course of action was to soak him, also to top off his water dish, get his substrate damp, completely rehydrate his damp hides. I soaked him earlier, and just now, and while in the water he moves a little, but very weak and lethargic in my hands. Sides are sunken in, skin looking loose.

I've up his Temps a little because it's chilly here, and I tried rehumidifying to the best of my ability.

Someone help. I've cried off and on all day, feel like such a bad snake ma. Took off today from work to stay home and monitor him. We have an exotics vet I'm going to try to get him to tomorrow afternoon, maybe sub q fluids.

I don't know if it was just the humidity, or if it's something underlying coming to a head. He was growing like a weed when I first got him. All of a sudden he seemed to stop.

[KMG]

BRBs love the water. Give him a bowl he can use to soak in his cage. Mine starts in his pool the majority of the time.

What are the temps?

What are you feeding?

When did you last feed?

What heat source are you using?

[bcr229]

All you can do is keep him at correct temps and humidity until the vet visit.I also wouldn't beat yourself up. He may have been sick for a while, or his last feeder may have been bad, or any number of other things could be wrong. Also reptiles are very good at hiding illnesses so they don't appear weak to predators - it's a survival trait.

[Jayoen]

I've got him set up with an UTH on a tstat.

Feeding every 10-14 days, give or take

Last ate about 2 weeks ago with no issue

Temps I bumped to be 85 on hot spot, 72ish on cool side.

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All you can do is keep him at correct temps and humidity until the vet visit.I also wouldn't beat yourself up. He may have been sick for a while, or his last feeder may have been bad, or any number of other things could be wrong. Also reptiles are very good at hiding illnesses so they don't appear weak to predators - it's a survival trait.

I almost wondered that. What with him not really gaining any size.

[KMG]

I would try to keep the temps between 75-85F.

Also I would add a large soaking bowl.

http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care...Boa-Care-Sheet

Rainbow Boa Water
Proper humidity and available clean water is crucial for keeping a healthy rainbow boa. Most rainbow boas thrive with humidity levels of 70 percent and higher, however Colombian rainbows (C.C.Maurus) are known to thrive in humidity levels as low as 50 percent. Dehydration and overheating are the two most common causes of mortality in rainbow boas. Signs of dehydration include: incomplete sheds, wrinkly dry scales, and regurgitation. A water source big enough for your snake to soak in is very important, and should be changed frequently to avoid dirty stagnant water.

http://www.moonlightboas.com/care-in...care-sheet.php

Brazilian Rainbow Boas should have a water bowl that’s large enough to swim in, and a hide lined with damp peat moss. My Rainbow Boas have water bowls that take up about 1/3 of the floor space.

[Jayoen]

He does have a large water bowl, and two damp hides. I completely filled his bowl with fresh water, and rehydrated his damp hides as well

[KMG]

Is the water bowl is large enough for the snake to soak? If so, why did you soak it? Does it not soak on its own?

Without being there it is hard for us to help with such limited info. A vet visit may be best so they can check for parasites and such.

[zina10]

Ok, none of this is meant as criticism. Just my "thoughts" as to what may be going on..

From what you have described, I feel like this snake had a bit of a roller coaster ride. First kept correctly, then under fed for a while to the point he is underweight, then fixing this, then the humidity and his hydration going waaay down, only for you to raise it way up and actually forcing him to soak, etc.

Going from one extreme to another can cause overall poor health. Not that I'm saying you SHOULDN'T have fixed your mistakes asap, but you see how this up and down could cause less then perfect health. If the snake is actually weak and lethargic at this point, I wouldn't force soaking. Its stress, esp. for a weak snake, and stress can kill. Your husbandry needs to be SPOT ON now. To the point humidity is raised and there is moisture on some moss and substrate. Yet not to the point that everything is soaked completely. Simply the way it should be for a BRB. The temps should be correct. Not higher or lower then normal.

Once everything is on the up and up, just leave him be. There really is nothing else you can do at this point that won't add to the stress. I fear in his condition it wouldn't take much stress to finish him off.

If anything, go to the vet. It is stress, but you will give him his best shot that way. But stop handling him and moving things around. Let him rest. Observe, but hands off as much as possible.

In my humble opinion only of course...

I used to have a Brazilian Rainbow Boa from Jeff Clark and visited his facility a few times. Wonderful snakes. I hope yours pulls through. If he does, try to keep the care and husbandry perfect. If he doesn't gain weight, you may have to feed more often. Not overfeed by any means, as that will start problems as well, just bump up a couple of days. However, until THIS issue is resolved completely, do not attempt to feed. You invite re-gurge and that would probably be the beginning of the end for this snake in his condition.