Need help with this rescue, guys

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Originally Posted by Gio

I'd bet 95% of all captive BCs see too much food.

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Actually, I think 95% of captive snakes see too much food.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Actually, I think 95% of captive snakes see too much food.

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One thing about those "frustrating" royal pythons is that they will shut YOU down before you figure out they are getting too much.

They are the longest lived snake for a reason, and I think it a big part of it is they self regulate their metabolism.

But I agree, snakes DO NOT need a feeding schedule. The "feast of famine" approach works well with my group.

I can't thank you all enough for all your assistance and support. Here's an update!

SHE allowed me to sex her, and she shed!! Only had a small patch of shed stuck near her neck so I soaked her with a warm wet towel for about 45 minutes and then she let me gently rub off the stuck part of her shed. Her temperament is so sweet, and she ate a F/T rat about a week ago with no issues post-shed (whew!). I believe she is actually a Boa Constrictor Imperator, not an authentic red tail (you guys were right, imagine that!)

After her shed her belly remained the same color so I'm not entirely sure those are burns, burn scars, or simply her coloration. There were two pieces of old adhesive stuck to the bottom of the tank I got her in, leading me to believe she may have had poor UTH at some point. She also pooped yesterday and it appears perfectly healthy.

What a tremendous relief... I will probably still end up taking her to the vet just in case, but do you guys think it's even necessary at this point? I've heard from a few people that proper husbandry and care is usually all you need to fix problems, but I'm very protective and cautious of the critters in my care. We just don't have any herp specialists in the area so I'm wondering what good it will do?

Again, thank you all so much!!

then every new snake should be seen initially. Stool samples should be run as well. Snakes can be very cryptic about health problems, and a good vet can spot things you have missed.

Make sure you find a good exotic vet who knows about snakes. It is easy to get a vet who is less informed than you about reps.

Just my 2 cents. of course you could just wing it and there is at least a 90 % chance things will be fine. Of course there is always the chance it won't.

David

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Originally Posted by nightrainfalls

then every new snake should be seen initially. Stool samples should be run as well. Snakes can be very cryptic about health problems, and a good vet can spot things you have missed.

Make sure you find a good exotic vet who knows about snakes. It is easy to get a vet who is less informed than you about reps.

Just my 2 cents. of course you could just wing it and there is at least a 90 % chance things will be fine. Of course there is always the chance it won't.

David

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Very, very true. I found a vet here in town who works with the wildlife rescue agency I volunteer with, and she just did some surgeries on water snakes that were injured. I'm going to take the BCI to her with some poopies. Better to be safe than sorry. Also is there a test the vet can do for IBD??

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Originally Posted by O'Mathghamhna

Also is there a test the vet can do for IBD??

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There is a blood test that can be done down at the University of Florida but if the boa isn't showing symptoms there's really no reason to do it, unless you know she came from a collection that had a snake diagnosed with it.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

There is a blood test that can be done down at the University of Florida but if the boa isn't showing symptoms there's really no reason to do it, unless you know she came from a collection that had a snake diagnosed with it.

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Thank you!! I have already been in contact with the wonderful folks at UF about her. She isn't showing symptoms but the disease makes me paranoid. Also she came from a horrible home that did have a BP, although the snakes were not housed together. I will keep an eye on her and if I see symptoms I'll take her in for the blood test. Thanks again!:)