Ugh.. I think she's sick

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manasha-Bogo

So, I heard from the vet again this evening.

I asked weight numbers again just in case I had been hearing things earlier. But no such luck.

Thursday: 74g
Today: 86g

They have been tube feeding her. Yesterday she was given ivermectin for the mites and fenbendazole for intestinal parasites. ( both meds I'm familiar with thanks to my rabbits ). They are wiping her down with mineral oil to remove the mites still on her. Note: It's strange to me that the male is mite free right now but she is not.

They will feed her again on Monday. They are giving her only small amounts of food in order not to overload her. I asked about alternative ways to get a fecal and the answer was they have to wait for her to poop on her own because using a tube to extract it won't get anything because snakes absorb all their food if they haven't eaten this long. The way he explained it made sense at the time. He (vet #2 this time, vet #1 is out today) explained snakes are not like humans in that we always have some amount of waste in our intestines at all times which you can go in and get. Not so with reptiles, he says.

But they have already treated for parasites anyway so it doesn't really matter now, I think. Except that we probably won't know for sure if she had parasites. Assuming a test on fecals would come back clear after treatment. (personal assumption)

They don't work Sunday so the next update will be Monday.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

If she had worms or something treating them would usually cause them to be defecated out. Then you would know if that was the issue. It is weird that she has mites and he doesn't. I am willing to bet they may show up on him again. I would buy some provent a mite to treat the enclosure, can't go wrong with it. Snakes especially when smaller use their food very effeciently. If she does have parasites it would make me wonder if she was imported. I know they can get them here as well, but imports regularly come with parasites. I would try and get as much info about her as I could. Any breeder worth their salt keeps records on feeds and sheds of their hatchlings. Keep us updated, hope everything turns out well.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

Zombie, thanks.

I have already treated the enclosure with Provent a mite on Sunday last week. Maybe he doesn't have them because he's still living in that tank?

I'm going to recheck tomorrow when I get back and make sure none have come back. If not, I'm going to feed him again on Monday.

Yea, I will have to talk to the guy who sold them to me. Find out when he will be there to talk to him. I know he remembers the snakes. One of the last times I went over there, he stopped to ask if they were doing Ok. Maybe it's paranoia at this point, but his question sounded like he half expected the answer to be a bad one. Kinda sux.

But I want to confirm her hatch date again (and his) and maybe get more info on where she came from and the outcome of her sibling if they know.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manasha-Bogo

They will feed her again on Monday. They are giving her only small amounts of food in order not to overload her. I asked about alternative ways to get a fecal and the answer was they have to wait for her to poop on her own because using a tube to extract it won't get anything because snakes absorb all their food if they haven't eaten this long. The way he explained it made sense at the time. He (vet #2 this time, vet #1 is out today) explained snakes are not like humans in that we always have some amount of waste in our intestines at all times which you can go in and get. Not so with reptiles, he says.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

I suggested the cloaca wash because the exotic's team at my university vet school has done it to one of my snakes. Your vet is right that snakes don't constantly have poop in their intestinal tract, but if you can palpate some, the wash does work. And I just assumed she still had some left over food from her previous feeding before her regurge.

Either way, I agree with you. If she has parasites, its been treated.

It sounds like things are looking positive for Manasha. :)
And is that her in your avatar picture, then she's gorgeous!

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2

I know they are trusted vets. The mineral oil part just stuck out to me and perhaps you may just want to point out to them a different option. Hopefully they don't use too much of that on the regular. I don't like using oil anything on reptiles at all. I made the mistake in my very early days and learned from it quickly. Oil based anything softens the scales which promotes fungal, bacterial growth, injury and flaking. Because she already has an obviously compromised immune system and the mites she could end up having some potential issues from her scales softening.
A nice warm soak with a drop of dish detergent would do the same just without the oil part. Both are going to be stressful on her so there's not much we can do on that issue. Or maybe you can bring them the Pam and they can treat her temp enclosure. I just really have seen the damage of oil products on them so it makes me cringe. Not saying your vets don't know what they are doing. Just some other options.

My other suggestion is on your divider. I just want to air another caution. These guys will stuff themselves into just about any nook and cranny they can find. Screen tops have a bit of Give, and if one manages to squeeze itself inbetween the screen and the divider... Well that will just be bad news. Especially if it's really tight and not movable you can expect to possibly see a stuck baby, or cuts and scratches.

But I hope she gets better quickly. I just thought a couple suggestions Would be helpful. Sometimes even us patients "parents" have to make suggestions to vets. Good luck with her.



Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Homegrownscales

My other suggestion is on your divider. I just want to air another caution. These guys will stuff themselves into just about any nook and cranny they can find. Screen tops have a bit of Give, and if one manages to squeeze itself inbetween the screen and the divider... Well that will just be bad news. Especially if it's really tight and not movable you can expect to possibly see a stuck baby, or cuts and scratches.

www.Homegrownscales.com

---

Maybe a guard for the divider/screen lid will work to address this problem.

Like this or something?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...ankdivider.png


Or maybe a thick foam pad to put on top of the divider that is fills that extra space between the screen and divider.

Could work could work. It will all depend on the actual set up. It was just a warning of an impending issue.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ballpythonluvr

While I understand your frustration, I think this is enough. She has taken her snake to the vet and is doing the best she can and that is all that matters now. I think the OP has had enough scolding for a lifetime.

---

****RANT**** That's not enough close to the reason why everyone is losing the hairs on their heads! It's the fact that it all happened, and was more than likely passed on from snake to snake for who knows how long without showing any symptoms! If I were to post this, I would probably get twice as much as she is getting just because I'm a teen, and personally, it's just an age thing, just like some things are sexist, it's quite disappointing if you ask me.

Homegrownscales & Satomi,

I have thought of it. There is already a plastic "bridge" that runs down the middle of the top of the tank so the plexiglass will not be directly against the screen. If I end up using the lights I have it is incredibly heavy and I can't see anything squeeze between that and the screen. If I don't use it, then I'll need something like that guard.

I'll ask about the oil on Monday. Not sure if they think this will suffocate the mites or what. But I'll ask about it. I dont want then doing anything that could maje things worse. Thanks!!

Jason, you're beating a dead horse and doing no one any good, least of all me, by continuing on with your rant. You said you got "scolded" yourself when you first started out keeping snakes. Is this your attempt at paying it forward? This is bordering on the insane. I wonder how far into this thread you actually read. Do you feel something was left unsaid? If you do, then please write it down on paper and then burn it. Because I'd rather be spared. This is the last I will talk to you or anybody about it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by satomi325

And is that her in your avatar picture, then she's gorgeous!

---

Yep that's her. There's a second pic that I uploaded so it's in my gallery. From 2 weeks ago.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Here's the 2 pix I've shared here.

Same day I got her
http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jO...B284DC8232.JPG

2 weeks ago
http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KB...DDF1B6E1C3.JPG

The first I took in a dark room so I had to lighten the picture later. The second is under the heat lamp & almost too bright. I sharpened it, shoulda left it alone cuz now it looks too chiseled.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk