Omigosh...I need help

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

LoL, Oh yes we can. We can do a fecal on any poo. I've had to do one on feces so dry that it would not break apart, even after soaking in the solution. After about ten minutes of stabbing at it with my little stir stick, it FINALLY broke apart, and I could finish the test. Found pinworms eggs too, hehe. Sorry, I just find poo interesting... :rolleyes:

It is more accurate if you have fresh feces though. Just whenever the snake goes to the bathroom, place about a teaspoon of it in a plastic baggie, and put it in the fridge until you can get it into the vet, as Schlyne mentioned.

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That's interesting. The reptile vet here told me they coudln't use it if it wasn't within 48 hours old...I guess they wanted to be more accurate. Oh well, I'm not sure I'm going to go back to her anyway. I don't trust somebody who wants to knock out the snake before they probe it. Maybe if it was a 13 foot burm...but not a 18 inch long baby ball python.

The vet wanted to sedate the lil snake before probing? Okay since we're taking both Baby and Punkin (when it arrives) to be probed, is this normal folks? Can't say I've seen anyone mention their bp's were sedated in any manner prior to probing at any age or size?

I caught a bit of of animal vet show on tv a few months ago and saw them let a snake go head first (and about 1/3 of the body of the snake) into a clear plastic tube while they were messing with it's back end (perhaps sexing...I missed that bit so not sure). I assume that would be so the snake could not turn and strike while in the tube and it seemed not to cause the snake any obvious distress.


~~Joanna~~

I would have to say no, it's not normal. It's a health risk for the snake. Probing take what, less than a minute to do. Why would they want to take the time to wrestle with the snake to mask it down, take 30 seconds to probe it, then wake it up again? To charge you more :) I guess they are just big babies about handling a tiny baby ball python, Schlyne, LoL.

Seems to me it would be more stressful and more dangerous to sedate a snake for such a quick procedure but then what do I know yet LOL

Nope, you're right. It IS more stressful and dangerous to the snake's health to sedate than it is for a 30-second probing. Plus, more expensive on the owner's part.

I mean, they could have a pre-existing medical condition that you wouldn't know about until it flares up when the animal is anesthetized (Ie: scarred lungs, other organ abnormalities).

Yeah, it seemed so dumb, especially when breeders probe snakes every day. Franky, the ball python was in perfect health (and still is).

Ok here is an update! After two soakings I have finally be able to get the most of the retained shed off! Even the eyecap!! Too cool!!!! :D I was just so happy I had to share!

Before pic:

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...beforesoak.jpg




After pic:
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...naftersoak.jpg

Isn't that just beautiful?!?!? :banana: :D

gorgeous! that's like night and day. he must feel soooo much better. looks like you have him off to great start. :)

I knew there was a pretty ball python face under there :) Glad you got it all off, I bet he/she feels MUCH better.

Yup! He especially liked it when I rubbed his neck with the washcloth. Took awhile longer to get that eyecap, but I managed it after awhile. Fortunately he was pretty calm when I rubbed his head. I guess it was a fight between This feels so good and Hey don't touch my head. Now he's prowling his cage like you wouldn't believe. So next week won't come soon enough for his first feed! I'm sure you'll hear about that too! :D