November Update on Grace

She is such a pretty little girl.
I have keep her in my heart and mind since you posted the first pics. I am so happy that she is doing good. She was a very lucky lady to have you to mend her and take care of her :gj:

Big props to you :bow:

I just caught up on this story, and wow... What that poor dear has been though! She is looking amazing, and sounds like she's doing fantastic! Wow, wow, wow! Way to go! :gj::bow:

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Originally Posted by sweety314

ARE you planning on breeding her? She's a gorgeous spider, but do you think her wound and prolapse could be inheritable???????
RuLyn

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RuLyn,
I don't think it is inheritable, but this is what my strategy is to avoid it in case it is inheritable. I have produced 24 Spiders from my original male, and she is the only one to have this issue. Therefore, I don't think it is coming from the male.
We produced 5 Spiders and 5 Normals in the clutch with Grace, and she was the only one to have a hrenia. Now this was the first clutch that I know of that this female laid ( I bought her at 3 years old), but she is not breeding the Spider this year. If I get another baby from like that this year, I will probably not breed her anymore.

I told my husband this story last night. He was amazed, too. We are both irritated that the vet you stopped by and asked to buy a suture kit from denied you. Shame on them. And BIG PROPS to you for saving a life!! You truly belong where you are and doing what you do. Any snake hatched under your roof is lucky to do so! :snake: :D

I know the mechanics of human and snake development aren't the same but I imagine in some cases nature is nature.

Our family went through an infant being born with an omphalocele (her liver was completely outside her body at birth). Our understanding is that if this is a single abnormality, in effect, a birth defect with no associated syndromes present then the chances of any genetic issues are no more than any other pregnancy for any other female. In other words, simply a one time occurrence where something went a little wrong during the abdominal development stage for the fetus. In my niece's case she was given corrective surgery and is a completely normal child, who will live a completely normal life, have children one day if she so chooses, play sports, etc.

I would think with Grace since there seems nothing else wrong with her....she constricts appropriately, eats, defecates, passes urine and urates and is growing well....that it's unlikely that it's part of a greater genetic issue. I'm no genetics expert here but generally something this major would have other associated issues for the animal affected I would think, if it were more than a simple lack of muscle closure.

Birth defects do just happen...to us, to animals. Some are correctable and have little long term effects, others are not. I think in Grace's case the steps that Tim and Monica made so soon after her birth and the continuing stellar care they give her will likely result in a beautiful, healthy adult one day. :) If not, it certainly can't ever be said it was for lack of trying.

Thanks for the update, Tim! She's looking fabulous. :D :gj:

Tim sorry I missed this thread. Grace looks great!! Even got a little snappy pose there for ya.. That was some freaking great work man..

U Mi Hero...

Thanks Again everyone. I always get so giddy when it's time to post a Grace update. I know that everyone is always so excited to see updates that I can never wait for an update worthy event in her life.