Strange behaviour while soaking

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jbean7916

That snake is 5 mos olds and 86g. She needs some sort of intervention.

---

This is what worried me from the beginning. She had been eating one hopper every 7 days since I got her. The male grew and is fat from that, she is not. I'm feeding him full grown mice now. But I can't see giving her a full grown mouse yet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jbean7916

She was no longer taking food on her own right?

---

The last time she ate on her own was Wednesday 4/25. She killed a hopper, had it wrapped up for a loooooooooooooooong time (over an hour), then swallowed it. Then regurged it. She was cold to the touch and wet and clammy. that's the same day she started doing the odd thing while on a towel with me, where her head was unsteady and falling backwards.

As for the anemia. Here are my vet's words, "blood like cool-aid", "profoundly anemic", "limp", "weak", "critical". So I just want to make sure I do the right things so that she doesn't tip over the edge.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

But tube feeding?

Has the OP tried assist feeding?

---

Nope, I have not. Was told somewhere that assist feeding was more stressful than tube. Wish I could ask the snake herself what she prefers. I think she would tell me to go bugger off and die. lol!

Hold on, your BP regurgitated? That brings in a whole new set of issues. I have never dealt with a regurg, but I believe you are susposed to not feed a snake for 2 weeks after a regurg so the digestive system can recoupe. Hopefully someone with experience with regurgitation issues will come along.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manasha-Bogo

Nope, I have not. Was told somewhere that assist feeding was more stressful than tube. Wish I could ask the snake herself what she prefers. I think she would tell me to go bugger off and die. lol!

---

I can't possibly see tube feeding being less stressful.

Assist feeding is just opening the snakes mouth and placing the rodent in it... Vs cramming something down the snakes throat.

Neither are good solutions and are stressful.

I am a somewhat confused, has this BP been refusing food recently or is she eating just not gaining weight?

She just regurged 10 days ago. I haven't tried offering food to her at all since then. The vet started tube feeding because she was "profoundly anemic" and the vet was so afraid to draw blood for tests that she waited 24 hours because she thought drawing blood was going to kill her.

Btw, I was afraid that the miniscule heating pads weren't doing the trick so I bought bigger ones and installed them today.

What's the best temperature to keep these at ? The thermostat is set to 93F at the moment.


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N...BF91F33C73.JPG

I have worked with lots of rescues. The soaking is likely to keep the fluids up vet journals often speak of dehydration in reptiles being a serious emergency where even 5 years ago not so much. The soaking is a tough call stress is also very serious.

You have separated them yes? The first CRITICAL thing is to keep the temps correct. she is small so I'd say 89-90 (88 is fine under normal conditions these are not.) with 78-9 cool side and ambient around 80-83º ambient likely is very important in this case. I'd suggest giving her a break for a few days no soaks no feeding nothing just quiet and dark.

I would try to get the humidity up to around 65%-75% RH. Remember that ventilation is also important as well. You might find a humid hide maybe better than soaking less stress and similar effect. Talk with your vet.

Tube feeding with a pinky pump or critical care? Necessary? I can't say I am not there. That is quite serious weight loss and to me that is critical at this point. Again it is a balance between intervention and stress. It is hard to know what is the right choice vets tend to like to do something. In fairness the client generally don't accept do nothing as the correct action. If you present that as your suggestion it returns it to the table as a viable option. I would discuss the situation with your vet and ask after the concerns about stress.

Snakes have a remarkable way of healing themselves. The best medicine is usually keeping their environment in ideal conditions and leaving them alone. At the condition that your little guy is in, you may be better off contacting the help of a local experienced keeper. This vet is obviously doing more harm than good. I have yet to meet a vet that knew more about how to care for reptiles than your average enthusiast. I hope your little guy pulls through, he is a beauty

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manasha-Bogo

They appear to be knowledgeable about it.

---

This is the same Vet that put mineral oil on your snake to get rid of mites...that is not a testament to their reptile knowledge.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manasha-Bogo

the temp is warm to luke warm to my touch.

---

If it's warm to your touch, it's too hot for your snake. You have to start thinking terms of them being cold blooded.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Personally I would be getting a second opinion if not a new vet.

---

True Dat!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manasha-Bogo

Yea, if it were up to me, I would just leave her alone for 7-10 days and then try to feed her a small hopper and see if she will take it.

---

Probably the best thing you can do for this animal. I urge you to this.