Baby Ball in critical condition - how to switch from tube feeding to self-feeding

My bad, thanks Pit. that's what happens when I think. :)

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Another type of hide that I find works really well for security is the cardboard end of a paper towel roll. They don't last long and need to be checked frequently for cleanliness. But they work really well. They also fit almost perfectly into a six quart tub. :)

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How do you do this and what does it look like? Just cut the tube halfway down the middle?

I'm disabled and have to wait for my husband to get home before I can go to the store, but I have paper towel rolls!

How about my half-log hide? It does touch her on each side when she's inside. I also see her lying in a figure 8 in that hide as well.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

^^^^^^

When offering leave the mouse near the tub for 30 min to an hour before feeding offering a little food and water. Than put the mouse in the enclosure and close the tub, try offering at dark. If not eaten remove after 20 min.

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Offering which animal food and water?

And thanks for clarifying with the repost. It's been a while since I was last on a forum and keeping track of so many comments is taking a bit of a learning curve.

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Originally Posted by Ellizaryn

Offering which animal food and water?

And thanks for clarifying with the repost. It's been a while since I was last on a forum and keeping track of so many comments is taking a bit of a learning curve.

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The mouse while you leave it near the snake enclosure for 30 min to an hour offer it water and a piece of dog food, always make sure a live feeder is well fed and hydrated prior to feeding especially when bought from a store.

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Just a few last things:

Does this box need vent holes? Or should I just wait and see how the humidity/temp holds?

Hide on warm side, water on cold side?

How critical is the aspen? I think I may have to go buy more after all.

No handling for a week. Is replacing water and substrate every few days is okay? And can/should I continue to weigh her? I can do both without removing her from the box.

It's a clear tub. Can I just set her near my bedroom window with a white towel covering her so she gets no clear vision but still the day/night cycle? Or is being out in the open with a good hide enough?

I know this has been commented on before. And sorry y'all if I'm being repetitive; I just want to get this right. My husband will have a complete meltdown if this animal dies, and our vet told us that it was likely -- which is why she jumped directly to the tube feed.

I've been seeing this vet for a long time--ferrets, birds, lizards and turtles, as well as my dogs and cats--but I may try looking for someone who focuses specifically on reptiles.



I'll be posting pictures once this is set up. I'm really upset and disappointed by the lack/inaccuracy of resources provided to me by both the store and the vet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ellizaryn

Just a few last things:

Does this box need vent holes? Or should I just wait and see how the humidity/temp holds? Put maybe 5 holes in each side of the tub. Set it up with heat and water and wait an hour or so (with no snake in it). Watch your humidity. If your humidity is in the 80's or 90's, add two or three more holes. Once your humidity settles in the 65-75% range, I'd leave it be.

Hide on warm side, water on cold side? Sure.

How critical is the aspen? I think I may have to go buy more after all. I'd wait and see what Deborah says... she has a lot more knowledge than I do. If you don't have any, I'd think you can just paper towels for now.

No handling for a week. Is replacing water and substrate every few days is okay? And can/should I continue to weigh her? I can do both without removing her from the box. Don't worry too much about the substrate unless the snake makes a mess. If she's not eating much, there won't be much poop. It's likely she won't really pee that much either. If there is any urates, just remove it if on aspen. If on a papertowel, you can replace the papertowel. I wouldn't weigh her for the time being (but again, let's see what Deborah says). Generally no handling means don't open the cage or touch the snake as much as possible. Replacing water every other day would probably be sufficient.

It's a clear tub. Can I just set her near my bedroom window with a white towel covering her so she gets no clear vision but still the day/night cycle? Or is being out in the open with a good hide enough? As long she is in a bedroom with not a lot of activity around her, she'll be fine. You can cover part of tub if you want.

I know this has been commented on before. And sorry y'all if I'm being repetitive; I just want to get this right. My husband will have a complete meltdown if this animal dies, and our vet told us that it was likely -- which is why she jumped directly to the tube feed.

I've been seeing this vet for a long time--ferrets, birds, lizards and turtles, as well as my dogs and cats--but I may try looking for someone who focuses specifically on reptiles.



I'll be posting pictures once this is set up. I'm really upset and disappointed by the lack/inaccuracy of resources provided to me by both the store and the vet.

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I can't contribute any more than what's already been said, but I wanted to wish you the best of luck! I hope your little worm pulls through!

Okay, bear with me, I just want to get this right:

6qt tub with sturdy click-on lid. Below is the skeletal setup: UTH under the top and a folded paper towel under the bottom to keep it level. I drilled a hole in the upper right-hand corner of the tub and have the probe held in place with tape from the outside. In the bottom left-hand corner, I drilled a hole 2/3 of the way up and set the cool side probe on the inside with blue painter's tape.

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...k/IMG_1277.jpg

Here's the setup once I've added the bowl, hide, and hydrometer:

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...k/IMG_1287.jpg

And here she is hanging out in the bowl and hide (for size purposes):

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...k/IMG_1281.jpg http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...k/IMG_1285.jpg

The log is just small enough that she can access from either side though I could push it up against one wall to make a single entrance. I'm willing to get a different hide if it looks too big.

She's on our dresser at the foot of our bed, near the window but not in front of it. All digital readouts are on the side of the dresser, so I can keep an eye on her stats from my bed. The ambient temperature of our bedroom is 74F with 44% humidity, and very rarely goes below that. The ambient temperature on cool side of the tub is 75/76F with 56% humidity. The hot spot is under the log at 87/88F, and it is 77/78F on top of the log. I haven't drilled any other holes apart from the two for the probes.

My husband just got home with a bag of aspen for her, but I haven't added it yet because I wanted to make sure the rest of the setup worked. Do these temps sound acceptable? And how will adding the substrate affect humidity?


Again, thank you everyone who has contributed to this conversation. I feel like a terribly misdirected and irresponsible pet owner. :( You are literally life savers.

Edit: And to clarify--don't disturb her until about Monday night, offer live well-fed/hydrated hopper in the dark and remove after 20-30 minutes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ellizaryn

The log is just small enough that she can access from either side though I could push it up against one wall to make a single entrance.

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I'd personally recommend to do this. Generally speaking, the fewer places of exposure (for light, entrance, etc.) in the hide, the more secure your snake will feel.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ellizaryn

Okay, bear with me, I just want to get this right:

6qt tub with sturdy click-on lid. Below is the skeletal setup: UTH under the top and a folded paper towel under the bottom to keep it level. I drilled a hole in the upper right-hand corner of the tub and have the probe held in place with tape from the outside. In the bottom left-hand corner, I drilled a hole 2/3 of the way up and set the cool side probe on the inside with blue painter's tape.

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...k/IMG_1277.jpg

Here's the setup once I've added the bowl, hide, and hydrometer:

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...k/IMG_1287.jpg

And here she is hanging out in the bowl and hide (for size purposes):

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...k/IMG_1281.jpg http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...k/IMG_1285.jpg

The log is just small enough that she can access from either side though I could push it up against one wall to make a single entrance. I'm willing to get a different hide if it looks too big.

She's on our dresser at the foot of our bed, near the window but not in front of it. All digital readouts are on the side of the dresser, so I can keep an eye on her stats from my bed. The ambient temperature of our bedroom is 74F with 44% humidity, and very rarely goes below that. The ambient temperature on cool side of the tub is 75/76F with 56% humidity. The hot spot is under the log at 87/88F, and it is 77/78F on top of the log. I haven't drilled any other holes apart from the two for the probes.

My husband just got home with a bag of aspen for her, but I haven't added it yet because I wanted to make sure the rest of the setup worked. Do these temps sound acceptable? And how will adding the substrate affect humidity?


Again, thank you everyone who has contributed to this conversation. I feel like a terribly misdirected and irresponsible pet owner. :( You are literally life savers.

Edit: And to clarify--don't disturb her until about Monday night, offer live well-fed/hydrated hopper in the dark and remove after 20-30 minutes.

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Sounds and look perfect , you are definitely on the right track :gj:

And don't feel bad it's a common issue and so long you are willing to make the necessary improvement which you did it's all that matter, owning snakes is a learning curve.