Help Needed

So I posted this earlier from my boyfriend's acct in the car on the way home. We picked up this 10 y/o BP from a neighbor a few hours ago. The snake had no hide, a dirty water bowel, I believe cedar hamster bedding and had a partial shed. And may have retained an eyecap but I can't really tell.
This is him/her in the car on the way to our house:
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So given that I have limited resources to build a new snake cage at home at midnight, I've done the best that I can do until tomorrow/Friday. I scrubbed the cage with hot water, which was VERY much needed. There were a number of poos and pees which had not been cleaned. I blacked out the entire backside with electrical tape *on the outside, not the inside*. Made a moist hide from a cardboard box to try to help get rid of the remaining shed. Filled a container with warm water and replaced the cedar with ZooMed coconut fiber and misted. Enclosure has a screen lid so I foiled the top in hopes of retaining some humidty. Unfortunately, I don't have an extra UTH here at the house to use at this time. Will have to make a visit PetCo for that tomorrow. The only heat option that I have for him/her at this time is a lamp but even that would be better than nothing, which is what he's been receiving for the last 10 years (atleast that's my impression).

Figured I would give a shot at feeding him in 5-7 days. The guy said he went 7 months off feed and that he refused last time he tried. Which doesn't surprise me with the way that he was taking care of him. I'm not certain his weight, don't have a scale nor do I know what one his size should weight. I'm assuming he'd eat rats at his size, but please advise me different if necessary.

What else can I do to help this guy out until I can get him completely situated?

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You said you were getting a UTH, that's a good start. Get a dimmer or thermostat to hook up to it (If you don't have one already), and it looks like he's off the cedar, but if not, anything would be better than that. If I remember correctly cedar is bad bad. Even newspaper, printer paper, etc would work.

As for feeding, I would suggest since you just brought him home and you're changing everything up on him, wait a week or so (if he's gone 7 months another week won't hurt), then try to feed him an appropriate size or smaller rodent. Keep temps and humidity regulated and you might just have yourself a happy snake!

**Keep in mind that I'm still pretty new to the hobby, this is just general info that I've gathered. If any of it is incorrect, I encourage people to correct me :). Just trying to pay it forward!

Oh and keep us updated!

to help with the heat until you have a uth maybe try getting a water bottle of some kind, and filling it with warm water. Put that near or next to the hide. TO retain heat in the tank, try putting foil on the sides of the tank as well. You should switch the water out as often as it gets cold, just make sure it's only warm to the touch.
Poor little fella...
It's real indication of a person, how they treat their animals. Good job rescuing it!

Looks like you've got the right idea. Let us knowhow he does. :)

He is awefully cute, I'm so glad you saved him! It looks like you are definitely in the right direction, his setup will definitely do temporarily, especially considering his husbandry before you got him. You didn't mention a thermostat for the UTH, but I'm sure you have/are getting one for it right? They get much hotter than most people think..

Anyways, I hope to see an update in a couple weeks! :D

edit Also if you are keeping the tank, it might be easier to get some black Con-Tact paper from Home Depot, it's only $6 and will be much less effort than electrical tape lol. I admire the extra effort though!

Yes, planning on picking up a t-stat when I pick up the uth. He/she was in the hide this morning which made me pretty happy...hiding ball, happy ball :)

i've recently figured out how to substitute heat during power outages by filling a shallow tupperware container with hot water, putting the lid on it and then putting that into a pillowcase and setting the whole thing in on the warm side. only had to refill it a couple times.

The thing to remember with rescues, this may sound a bit odd, but adjust slowly don't add stress by making a massive change all at once. You say he has been 10 years with out heat. I have seen others that have been in that same situation and have adjusted to it somewhat (10 years there had to be some adjustment) I'd recommend going slowly, get the uth but don't just crank it up to 90 straight away start cooler like 85 and give him some time, a few days. Then if he is always on the heat go up a notch 88 say and see what he does if he starts to regulate at that point keep it there for a while (a few weeks and hopefully he will start to eat again) when he does increase it a bit again, give him time to adjust each increase. If he seems to stop regulating stop he will let you know when the temps are correct.

Rescues are wonderful and heartbreaking all at the same time, be diligent with quarantining him from any other herps!

I would have a hard time stopping myself from dumping the soiled cedar chunks into your neighbors bed, personally. Never ceases to amaze me... I guess they at least realized that they should give the snake to someone more knowledgeable.

If you're getting an Under Tank Heater and Thermostat or Dimmer thats great for a heat source, I would also try putting a hide on each side of the tank (one warm side, one cool side... I'll bet you know that though lol)

My main concern is that this guy could easily have a respiratory infection if he's been neglected on cedar with a heat lamp and a screen lid... the only humidity would be from his dirty water and secretions. The stuck shed all over him also suggests a lack of humidity. Just keep an ear for any popping, bubbling or wheezing sounds and an eye on his nose and mouth for any mucous or liquid.

For humidity, I use a spare lid from the tubs in my snake rack on top of a similar glass tank w/ screen lid for one of my balls. It covers about 3/4 of the lid and it really helps keep the humidity up.

Good luck with him, glad that he has found a better home. :)

Are you keeping him? I belong to a rescue agency and often I am a interim until it is better home not a forever home.

If you are keeping him I'd probably run him to a vet and have a check done and fecals as well. If you are quite literally rescuing him and are planning on finding a new better home for him and vet bills would be out of pocket give him a really careful check your self and see if you feel he needs a vet or not.

What I find is that many end up with a Royal and are really interested in it for 5 or 6 years then something happens and there is a slow downward spiral into squalor. He looks to be in reasonably good shape from the photos and if the top one is the way you got him I have seen WAY WAY WORSE!!!

We are planning on keeping him/ her. Went to the pet store this am to pick up uth/t-stat, out of the size uth that we need for that size tank. Currently in the process of baking the first hide :o). http://tapatalk.com/mu/d036553f-12ea-54cc.jpg

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Originally Posted by lasweetswan

We are planning on keeping him/ her. Went to the pet store this am to pick up uth/t-stat, out of the size uth that we need for that size tank. Currently in the process of baking the first hide :o). http://tapatalk.com/mu/d036553f-12ea-54cc.jpg

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I have baked hides before and the spray paint used to seal them doesn't ever air out unfortunately :( I made like 4 hides and didn't feel comfortable using them. I get all mine from ReptileBasics.com now.

Also, for the stuck shed, try a 10-20 minute soak then rub off lightly. Sheds in the winter often have me soaking my BP's and it usually works like a charm

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Originally Posted by Drewp

I would have a hard time stopping myself from dumping the soiled cedar chunks into your neighbors bed, personally. Never ceases to amaze me... I guess they at least realized that they should give the snake to someone more knowledgeable.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

I have baked hides before and the spray paint used to seal them doesn't ever air out unfortunately :( I made like 4 hides and didn't feel comfortable using them. I get all mine from ReptileBasics.com now.

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I wanted to make hides for my little girl's enclosure. Haven't tried to yet. This big one is my first attempt. I got the idea from the sticky, of course, minus the Krylon paint. Actually ended up with leftover nursery paint which I thought I'd give a try. Supposedly organic and very eco-friendly, 100% non-toxic & VOC free. But it's like actual paint, not spray paint, so we'll see how it works.

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Originally Posted by lasweetswan

I wanted to make hides for my little girl's enclosure. Haven't tried to yet. This big one is my first attempt. I got the idea from the sticky, of course, minus the Krylon paint. Actually ended up with leftover nursery paint which I thought I'd give a try. Supposedly organic and very eco-friendly, 100% non-toxic & VOC free. But it's like actual paint, not spray paint, so we'll see how it works.

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Ah, well if that works that's awesome. Mine seemed "sticky" almost from the Krylon paint and stunk like fumes even months after I made them. I never used them. Just FYI I had to bake mine much longer, almost doubled than what was said on that thread. If it's still soft when you take it out, you'll need another 45-60 minutes.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Ah, well if that works that's awesome. Mine seemed "sticky" almost from the Krylon paint and stunk like fumes even months after I made them. I never used them. Just FYI I had to bake mine much longer, almost doubled than what was said on that thread. If it's still soft when you take it out, you'll need another 45-60 minutes.

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I just checked after an hour and still squishy so still baking. How long do you think I should wait to feed after I put the hides (if usable) in next week. Obviously I intend to allow 7 days to acclimate but if I change the enclosure again with a new hide, would I need to wait longer?

I think there is no harm in trying even after putting the new hide in, if it is refused I'd wait another week instead of trying again before then.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

I think there is no harm in trying even after putting the new hide in, if it is refused I'd wait another week instead of trying again before then.

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You're so smart ;)

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Originally Posted by lasweetswan

You're so smart ;)

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Hahaha nooo just took a lot of trial and error and asking questions.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Hahaha nooo just took a lot of trial and error and asking questions.

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As with life. I'm still new but feel like I'm catching on pretty fast. Aaand going to Repticon this weekend, which I am super stoked about :banana:

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Originally Posted by lasweetswan

As with life. I'm still new but feel like I'm catching on pretty fast. Aaand going to Repticon this weekend, which I am super stoked about :banana:

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That...is...AWESOME. My first show was amazing, I'm going to a small one close by on Saturday, going to bring my son and my 7 y/o sister. I went to the NY show last month but they were low on the ball pythons because of breeding season, hopefully the next one will have more :D I hate coming from a show empty handed lol.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

That...is...AWESOME. My first show was amazing, I'm going to a small one close by on Saturday, going to bring my son and my 7 y/o sister. I went to the NY show last month but they were low on the ball pythons because of breeding season, hopefully the next one will have more :D I hate coming from a show empty handed lol.

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This will be my first show! This hobby is all new to me but I'm taking such an interest in it. My goal actually IS to come home empty handed until I am a bit more educated on everything and I don't have another set up sitting around for that matter. So we will both be at reptile expos on Saturday, let's bring back some pics!

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Originally Posted by lasweetswan

This will be my first show! This hobby is all new to me but I'm taking such an interest in it. My goal actually IS to come home empty handed until I am a bit more educated on everything and I don't have another set up sitting around for that matter. So we will both be at reptile expos on Saturday, let's bring back some pics!

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My goal is to always come home empty handed but it generally doesn't turn out that way. I can message you a cheap DIY quarantine rack for the future if you like ;) I'll be taking a lot of pictures and I expect the same, especially since the one you're going to is big right?

Maybe I'll actually run into you this time Leah. LOL

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Originally Posted by LGray23

My goal is to always come home empty handed but it generally doesn't turn out that way. I can message you a cheap DIY quarantine rack for the future if you like ;) I'll be taking a lot of pictures and I expect the same, especially since the one you're going to is big right?

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From what I've heard it's a pretty big event, if I recall correctly 55 exhibitors minimum. Then in Sept, there is the Repticon "FIRExpo" so I'll definitely be going to that. Maybe then I will plan to bring home the GOODS :) Thanks for the DIY rack info, I'll definitely need it in the future I'm sure.

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Originally Posted by TheWinWizard

Maybe I'll actually run into you this time Leah. LOL

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Are you going to the Rockland one?? :D

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Originally Posted by lasweetswan

From what I've heard it's a pretty big event, if I recall correctly 55 exhibitors minimum. Then in Sept, there is the Repticon "FIRExpo" so I'll definitely be going to that. Maybe then I will plan to bring home the GOODS :) Thanks for the DIY rack info, I'll definitely need it in the future I'm sure.

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Alright well just message me when you would like it, it's nothing special or fancy but its cheap and efficient, I use it as my quarantine rack, I think I spent 75 bucks on the whole thing, not including the thermostat. An it holds up to FOUR ball pythons...just sayin' ;)

Ha, Leah. You're making me think buying thoughts!!

Looks good to me, thank you for rescuing that poor guy. :gj: He does look very skinny, but I would recommend starting him off small and only feeding every 5 days if he takes them regularly. It would do more harm than good to cram him full of food since his digestive system isn't used to it. Both of my rescues came to me severely underweight and have more than doubled in size, first on a five-day feeding schedule, now on a six-day, and eventually only once a week. You will be amazed at how big of a difference proper care will make in this guy. Both of mine refused to eat in their previous homes because of appalling living conditions, yet they've never refused a meal under my care.
Good luck with him and be sure to maintain proper quarantine procedures :)