Rescue situation, newer keeper

Also, hydration is FAR more essential to a snake's life than food is- just keep that in mind. I know how you feel, believe me- I've taken on my share of rescues. But this is also why difficult cases- "rescues"- are better off in the hands of those with more experience- if only there were enough "experienced rescuers" around for all the snakes needing help, but you were there for this snake- willing to do the best you can. It's not usually easy or fast though- just very rewarding when it works- so hang in there.

Thanks for the encouragement. I always look back at beginning husbandry on aquatics and shudder, even knowing I did my best. So I’m just hoping I don’t shudder looking back at my beginning herp husbandry. I was honestly just thinking he would be much better off in more experienced hands. If there was another choice, I’m sure that’s where he would have gone. Unfortunately, I was the only one around that had even the slightest interest—let alone the ability to even be around a snake—, and I can’t stand to see a living thing in bad shape without me even trying to help it. I figured in either case, he’s better off with me. That’s how I ended up with all my pets. Haha.

noted on hydration. That’s been my number 1 since he got here. Here’s some photos for this week of his little folds and scales. Left is day one. Right is current:

url=https://postimg.cc/HJhjfVxh]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2-F4-FDFF4.jpg[/url]


https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-EEF8-B0-F.jpg

It was a no go for food this morning. I’ll wait a while and
maybe try a mouse, since I’m told he ate either one. In the mean time keeping after the mites, moisture and skin.

I am apt to think all the brown on his back is partially layers and layers of stuck shed. It is the one location that continues to flake shed in large amounts after each soak.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GuardianHunter

It was a no go for food this morning. I’ll wait a while and
maybe try a mouse, since I’m told he ate either one. In the mean time keeping after the mites, moisture and skin.

I am apt to think all the brown on his back is partially layers and layers of stuck shed. It is the one location that continues to flake shed in large amounts after each soak.

---

When a snake won't eat, it helps to pay close attention to ALL the details to improve your chance of success- ie. BPs usually feed best in the evening- nighttime hours. ;)

I didn't realize you're still battling mites- many snakes undergoing treatment for mites will refuse to eat- so don't be too surprised if yours won't either. Treatments for mites or for much of anything will stress out a snake. ;)

He’s kind of battling all the things. I don’t blame him for not eating, I just wish he would. Wishful thinking.

Fortunately the treatment semi overlaps for the dehydration and mites. We have all the adults that I can see with my eyes off of him, so now it’s the month long waiting game.

Good news: so, all the treatments for his mites and be dehydration paid off in the form of a decent shed. After two weeks of dropping who knows how many scales in his baths, he sloughed off the gnarly looking area on his back. The skin under it appears much better—but it still is rough feeling. He looks loads better this morning.

That's awesome to hear.
When the skin gets really roughed up like this one's was it will take a couple more good sheds for things to get back to smooth. A couple small spots may just kind of stay that way from scarring as well, but you should see most of that area improve with the next shed again.

Thank you for working so hard for this noodle!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GuardianHunter

Good news: so, all the treatments for his mites and be dehydration paid off in the form of a decent shed. After two weeks of dropping who knows how many scales in his baths, he sloughed off the gnarly looking area on his back. The skin under it appears much better—but it still is rough feeling. He looks loads better this morning.

---

:colbert2::carrot::sweeet: Hang in there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Armiyana

That's awesome to hear.
When the skin gets really roughed up like this one's was it will take a couple more good sheds for things to get back to smooth. A couple small spots may just kind of stay that way from scarring as well, but you should see most of that area improve with the next shed again.

Thank you for working so hard for this noodle!

---

Ok. Good to know. The shedding does kind of help give some insight into why he wouldn’t eat also. Between that and the mites and needing water, no flippin wonder.

No thank you required. Just the right thing to do—help things that need help.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GuardianHunter

Ok. Good to know. The shedding does kind of help give some insight into why he wouldn’t eat also. Between that and the mites and needing water, no flippin wonder.

No thank you required. Just the right thing to do—help things that need help.

---

That would be a great "signature" for you -or for anyone- :): "Help things that need help."

Well y’all, we got a meal down him! I got him out of the glass tank and set him up a tub to try and help keep the humidity a bit more constant. After he settled there a bit, I offered him a small meal and he finally took it! He’s been less lethargic lately, and exploring his enclosure a bit more. I left him a small pile of moss just to have something to look at and he tongue flicked it for like 15 solid minutes. It was funny. Must have been interesting.

After he digests some I’ll take some photos of him after I get him out for his next mite treatment.

Awesome! You're on the right track- it just takes some time.

Also, non sequitur, but we set up a jumping spider habitat if anyone would
like to see that and there’s a sub forum for it…

We have had him 4 weeks as of tomorrow, and he’s looking a lot better already. Im
hoping in a couple weeks to declare him mite free. His back (pictured) is looking loads better minus a little scarring and lost scales. He lost a retained eye cap in his last shed, and took a meal—finally. His hydration has really improved.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...FB75-AA633.jpg


https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...641-E3-D74.jpg


https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...409-CD1-C9.jpg

He's looking much better- keep up the good "work"! :D

After about a month of jail and awfulness (for him), he saw grass for the first time today. At first he wouldn’t put his belly on it, but then he tongue flicked a flower for like 10 solid minutes and periscoped for a million years to take everything in. He appeared to enjoy himself, as a snake presumably can, which means happy, relaxed tongue flicks and lots of curious exploration without any stress signals. https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...F34-F66-C9.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-B6977-FDD.jpg


https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...41-E45-FAB.jpg


https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...A580647450.png

Looks like fun. I can't wait until it's warm enough, where I am, to take my little guy out.

Allowing a snake that quite possibly still has mites outside is very troubling. Snake mites are spreading worldwide (and are still not conclusively known to have invaded all US states), and it is entirely the fault of captive snake keepers.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Malum Argenteum

Allowing a snake that quite possibly still has mites outside is very troubling. Snake mites are spreading worldwide (and are still not conclusively known to have invaded all US states), and it is entirely the fault of captive snake keepers.

---

Agree x 1000 :( Just what wildlife needs is another health issue to hasten their demise. :rolleyes: Without help, mites kill snakes.

Not to mention the stress & confusion for a snake that only JUST ate for the first time for the OP. :confusd: Not what I'd have done.

I didn’t consider the mites. Should’ve. Just didn’t think about it at the moment.I had him in my hand when I needed to walk out to check on my kiddos. Perhaps my humanizing him a tad too much rushed it a bit. Just trying to give him a little enrichment and something new to look at. Wasn’t trying to cause further issues for anyone or anything—that’s not my MO.

I think this will be my last post with Sunny. He’s had a third meal, and is generally just looking really good. Not a mite in sight after over a month of treatment, so we got him in his new digs until we can upgrade him to a pvc. Thanks to everyone who helped us treat him. Looking forward to lots of years with this good natured boy. A couple shots here just so you can see how much better he looks.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...67891-DBDE.jpg


https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...875-CB5042.jpg

one of his before photos:

https://i.postimg.cc/NyGg5SZc/929-B2...A1-C7-CEAE.jpg

Looking great! So bright!
Awesome job getting this one settled in and back on track.

I wanted to post an update here. He’s doing super well five months later, and steadily put on a little weight. Sweet fella, and we are getting ready to upgrade his digs. Also, enjoy my Mario pants.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...C/IMG-7214.jpg


https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...T/IMG-7225.jpg