Good reason to leave QT Early?

[mikedahitman87]

I just got new pinstripe female this past saturday. I put her in an old RBI mini cage in my closet. I had the cage from before I moved to a rack. Anyway ... I don't have any hot water in my apartment which means maintenance is going to have to come check out the water heater, which is IN MY CLOSET. The easiest way for me to hide my snakes is to put my new one in the rack with the others. The rack is pretty easy to disguise as a nightstand. Just throw a bed sheet over it.

So is this a good reason to break QT policies?

I don't think the apt. manager would mind 3 ball pythons since they let people have german shepherds, Great Danes, and other big dogs. Let know what you think ASAP. I have to call maintenance first thing in the morning.

Thanks

[TooManyToys]

You'll have to read the rental policy concerning pets, did you keep a copy of it?

[mikedahitman87]

It says that outside of dogs, cats, and fish in a 20 gallon tank that I need written permission from management. It's kind of late for that now though.

[SecurityStacey]

I don't think so... I mean... that you got to hide your snake won't be much of a comfort if there is something wrong and your other snakes get sick - or you lose your whole collection.

I'd find another way around it - but I don't think it is a good enough reason to break QT procedures.

[whitewolf]

why not just put him in a plastic tub for now and put him elsewhere? If you put him in some sort of temp housing for now that's small, you can move the heating device/pad if it can be moved wherever you hide the temp housing. It'll only take a few hours won't it?

[mikedahitman87]

just found a 15qt tub I used to use along with some heat tape I had lying around. I'll set her up temporarily in my roommate's room. He is not here during the week.

Now I worry about the added stress. She hasn't even been in here current set up for 3 days. Now she'll be in a new tub, then get put back in her old place. I still haven't tried to feed her yet.

[Argentra]

Just re-start her week of being left alone once she's back in the cage and try putting her somewhere where you won't have to move her again if there's a visit. Be sure to keep the tub well away from your other snakes rack and wash up WELL.

[whitewolf]

Well, the tub is small, so it should make her feel safer since it's a nice small space.
It's either put her through a short bit of relocation stress, have her and the rest of the snakes found (a lease is a lease, and the landlord might not like a sneaky tenant) or break QT procedures and possibly risk the other snakes' health.

As for the relocation stress, when you move her back to her cage after the repairmain is gone, give her a few extra days to adjust and pretend you didn't have her for those three days. Pretend you just got her in the mail and need to not touch her and leave her alone for the recommended adjustment period (I usually wait a week).


You don't have to do any of this, it's just my opinion. I figured it'd be a good way to not break Qt AND to hide her so as not to risk losing all your snakes.
ps
I'm sure you've done this already, but don't forget the airholes.

[whitewolf]

Just re-start her week of being left alone once she's back in the cage and try putting her somewhere where you won't have to move her again if there's a visit. Be sure to keep the tub well away from your other snakes rack and wash up WELL.

oops! I was typing my message as this was posted. What they said!^

[mikedahitman87]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Please keep me and my snakes in your prayers and lets hope everything goes OK tomorrow.