New to forums and BPs, and already a bad dad. :-(

I thought I'd mention that if you have a fecal sample already, do NOT put it in the freezer. The best place to store it is in the the refrigerator. Then drop it off first thing, when your vet opens up. ;)

I think you'll have things straightened out soon. :sweeet:

Oh and Sweetie, you've figured out my nefarious plan. Distract you with pms, so that I can rule the world!!! :devilish: :imslow: :neener: LOL!! Sorry, I'm feeling a bit silly today. ;)

Hey Bryan, you and others are right. I just contacted the local vet. I'm actually not sure if I should bring Ash in, since that would require my handling him, and we've already talked about leaving him alone for two weeks. I do have the fecal sample, which I'll put in the fridge. (Thanks, Christie!) I asked the vet whether I should bring Ash in or just the fecal sample, or both. I may be able to get an appointment with him later next week. Why does that seem sooo long? It seems like every hour that goes by with Ash is an eternity!

On the topic of Ash being CH versus CB, I'm not trying to nullify the concern (which is why I'm making the vet appointment), but I just thought I'd note that all of the local herp store's baby balls were eating just fine and that they make sure to test them before they sell them. That doesn't mean Ash doesn't have an RI or something, but it does likely mean that if he got it, he got it from being too cold in my apartment and wasn't sick when he was at the store... but I may be wrong about all of this. It's irrelevant anyway: the doc will tell me for sure!

:sweeet:

--Sam.

With your UTH's on thermostats you should be fine Sam. Unless that cage is bigger than it looks or your temps are very cool (which in your area they really shouldn't be) you could be fine with one but two (set to different temps of course) never hurts. You should be able to ditch the overhead light as for any extra heat they provide, they also suck humidity out badly - especially in a glass enclosure. With decent underbelly heat provided by your UTH's your BP should do nicely.

Try to set his enclosure up in the quietest room in your house away from drafts from open windows or direct hot sunlight (all things that play hell with your enclosure being stable).

As far as the vet visit, it's kind of like having kids. Sometimes you have to do stuff you'd rather not do for their better good. The stress for him of the handling and vet visit, is in my opinion, far outweighed by the good the visit will do. Just make sure when you transport him he's in a securely closed container and kept as warm as his normal home (or close to it).

Oh and for those power outtages, you can usually find instant heat packs at fishing/hunting/outdoor type stores. They are similar to what breeders use when shipping snakes and will do in a pinch. Just don't let your snake have direct physical contact with them of course.

i've hopefully read all the posts (i've reinjured my back and it is hurting so my ability to focus in limited right now...) anyway...

have you thought, or has anyone suggested moving him into a rubbermaid? it's easier to keep the temps good and waaay cheaper on the pocket book than a tank. it's what most people use.

Now that you have got so much great advice from everyone, take a breather and relax. Just like with human kids it is nerve wracking to be a new parent. :welcome: You came to the right place for any and all bp help you could need. Welcome to the site and good luck with the new kid.

Just wanted to add my "welcome" to the list! :handshake: Very glad to have you aboard. It's always rewarding to watch folks willing to learn and absorb all the great advice everyone so lovingly dispenses around here. ;)


Looks like you've gotten a ton of sound advice, and are well on track to making a perfect home for your little guy. They're extraordinarily hardy creatures. A couple weeks of tweaking/fixing his environment, and being very patient to avoid handling or stressing him out any more than absolutely necessary until everything is fixed and he is eating well...will be well worth it and provide years and years of happy, thriving life for your little scaled friend.

Alright guys, I have Ash's tank set-up correctly now--well, at least more correctly than before!

http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/%7Esamt...h/IMG_1482.JPG

http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/%7Esamt...h/IMG_1483.JPG

http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/%7Esamt...h/IMG_1484.JPG

At the time of this writing (and of the taking of that picture), temps are 93.2/80.4. The hot end has been constant to within 92-94 for the last three hours. I haven't hooked up the cool end to any t-stats or anything just yet, as I want it to heat up the substrate first. When it hits about 82.0, I'm going to lock it in.

The humidity is 45% (gah, it was dry in there!) and has been increasing by about 1% every 15-20 minutes. This has been due to some misting on my part, but also a great tip that the folks at my herp store gave me, which is to cover half of the top screen (specifically the half over the cool end, opposite the heat lamp) to lock in air flow and keep the glass tank better insulated and more temperate, as well as to lock in more moisture and thereby increase humidity. That alone seems to be doing wonders.

I have two small, half-coconut identical hides I got at the herp store that I saw and thought were just going to be so awesome for Ash. Not even five minutes after I put them in and finished setting up the tank, he started exploring his new surroundings, specifically going in and out of the hides. He's currently hanging out in the right-side hide--i.e., on the cool end of the tank!

Last but not least, the Acu-Rite thermometer/hygrometer is hands-down the best thing I bought today. I cannot get OVER how much peace of mind I'm going to get because of it. First off, I don't have to stare down into the tank just to get a temperature reading (off of one of those non-digital ones, that is), so I don't have to bug Ash as much. Also, I can tell it's far more accurate and responsive; the temperature changes noticeably--which is the key word--when I adjust the heating on either end. That alone ensures me that I now have some control over Ash's temps.

recycling goddess, I'm very seriously considering a Rubbermaid for Ash's next cage. When I went to Walmart I saw how cheap it would be to set one up, and I also have read through the DIY on this site. Thanks for the tip!

Blu and JLC, thanks so much, and thanks to everyone for making feel so welcome, and also for all the wonderful encouragement and advice! I really, really feel good now, and I think Ash does too! Looks like he's going to be alright. He's already been out and about, checking out his new digs. I can now go eat and get some sleep too!

--Sam.

no problem at all :) i use them for my snakes and looooooove them for the great humidity levels.

What are you covering your screen with to keep humidity in?

Looks like things are definitely in better shape!! Kudos to you. :gj:

Amazed we all forgot the "cover some of the mesh lid" advice LOL. A lot of us do use the rubbermaid/sterlite/iris plastic tubs so it's not always something we think of right off the bat. It will really help keep in the humidity. If you do continue to have problems with it being too dry and you find the UTH's are doing the job, ditch the light. They really suck the humidity out of glass enclosures.

When you have a moment check the excellent write-up on shedding that one of our Mods, Daniel has posted. It will prepare you for Ash's for shed and help you get through it with as little fuss as possible. Since he's a young snake and if he eats well for you, you're likely to see a shed in the not too distance future so may as well think ahead of how to adjust that humidity up to the needed 70% during his shed cycle.

Glad to hear Ash is settling in and you are feeling better about the whole situation. Now the hard part....for all of us when we get a new snake...hands off for at least a week or two...get a couple of good weekly feeds into him before you start very short, regular handling sessions. Hardest part of owning a snake is allowing them this time to settle in properly but as with all things, the patience pays off big time down the road.