Red Tail Boa rescue... good thing I know NOTHING about them, right?!

Well, I am in Portland, Oregon (if you were talking to me)...

He has been in his hidebox curled up tight (cannot even SEE the head) since the first night. When do I worry and start messing with him....? My gut says to just leave him the hell alone the poor thing and hope he gets comfortable within a week or so. Or do I need to be doing something other than maintaining his habitat for now?

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Originally Posted by sweety314

Hey!!! I'm just south of you in Lebanon and can help with anything if you need it! I've even got rats....:D :D :D Live and FT that I'd be willing to share.

My rescue was a BP, but I have five RTB of various ages and sizes. Let me know what I can do. On my off day from work, I could even come up to Portland. :)

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I would love to have you over! Seriously! We should make a plan, and we will make a meal, and you can come over and hang out with us and our critters. That would be fantastic! I could snag some ratties from ya, too!

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Originally Posted by sweety314

In relation to the snake, I'd sacrifice his security needs (temporarily) and get him to a vet ASAP. If he's been exposed to meth, you don't know what kind of lung / body damage he's suffered, or the amount of decontamination he'll be needing. I'm sure the meth messes up their bodies (maybe not EXACTLY like) like ours!!!!

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That may explain the hissing/wheezing, yeah?

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Originally Posted by sweety314

VERY!! strict quarantine. You don't want some airborne or other vector-spread nasty to get to your BP. And SMALL prey items for a little while. If he's been starved like you've indicated, a big meal may cause him to regurge, and that's adding more stress to an already physically and "emotionally" stressed animal.

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Well, I have him in the same room as our ball, but otherwise there is no cross-contamination with things, water dishes, etc... and we use hand sanitizer after touching any of our critters. We (safely) use bleach on things before they change tanks (with any of our animals).

I have not yet gotten him to eat. As a matter of fact, I have not even SEEN his face since the first night. He is a TIGHT ball inside of a hide box. When should I worry and mess with him....? Right now I am just waiting for him to settle in and destress, and come out on his own. I am keeping the tank warm but not too hot (since I think he would sacrifice his heat regulation needs in exchange for staying safely compacted inside of the hidebox). I am spraying daily to add humidity, and I have a large and flat water dish (at this point just to add humidity).

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Originally Posted by sweety314

Just let me know if you need some prey. I've got some live smalls, & mediums/larges and some FT large rats. I'm assuming you don't need the pups or pinks....:)

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I will take em all. I can use pups and pinks for other critters (spiders!! etc). I can pay you a bit for the trouble and exchange, too!

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Originally Posted by sweety314

What an AWESOME thing you did!!! Did U report to the ASPCA about the remaining snakes and pet rats??? They deserve a good home, too. :rockon:

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Well, there is no ASPCA in Oregon :( These people, sad as it is, are not breaking ANY laws in this county for any of their critters. I could not even get police out there for the meth concern, as due to the meth problem and prevalence, officials don't respond to possession and paraphernalia. Since there are no children involved or stolen property, this one is a non-issue. It sucks, but there is nothing that animal control or the police can or will do.

I am in contact with the brother. I will keep nice. I will let it be known clearly that the pets can come to me (the snakes specifically). I will mention it over and over and see what happens. Meanwhile, if you know anyone willing to take some HUGE snakes (berms, BCs, Anacondas, no idea... they were large *shrug*)....

So yeah, I still have not seen Mr. RTB snake... His hide that he got himself all the way into tightly is starting to look way too small to me. Now I am just getting paranoid... When do I intervene? Will that cause him MORE stress, or is waiting for him on his terms akin to neglect? This is my first rescued snake that has just disappeared in the tank and stopped moving.

The wheezing is likely due to an RI which can be treated with a few injections of anti biotics. I am hoping the wheezing is due to an RI and not anything to do with the corrosive nature(sick stuff) of meth

Please get him out of the same room as the ball! the risk of Airbourne contamination is still a high risk

As for the hide, I wouldn't be too worried as of yet. Most keepers don't even use hides for their redtails once they are established but that varies from keeper to keeper. If the other snakes are indeed redtails, I would very likely take them in to help you out

Can you give me some links on airborne snake sickies, and therefore I can learn more on how to keep both snakes safe? I will do my footwork, I promise!

This doesn't say much about it but gives you simple tips. I'll PM you a much better sheet since its from another forum and not sure if that will violate the TOS here'

http://triciaswaterdragon.com/quarantine.htm

Rereading this reminded me.......the waterless hand sanitizers aren't a stop-gap. Hot soap and water with scrubbing time like food handlers/ medical providers would be safest for prevention.


good luck!

Oh, and BTW, once I've gotten the spare rooms set up, I'll let U know. IF I can come up with some LARGER cages (cheap) I'll have room for one or two of the other RTBs/big boys that you've seen. I'll be sure to keep in touch. :)