Need help asap rescued boa please read

Not even sure what it is its about 4 feet long looks like a red tail boa but where the tail should be red its black,... it has been in an abandoned building without heat or food for 1+ month its winter in cleveland so night time could be 30 degrees... Tried feeding it live mice and pre killed, wouldn't touch either I think its too weak... it moves around but it sometimes looks like a spider with moderate to severe wobble I just started getting into BPs but know nothing about boas and am still fairly new to snakes in general any help is appreciated sorry if Im posting in an improper section but I'm using a friends computer and am limited on time to collect answers.

Did you really need to post this three times?

The snake may be in bad health so I recommend a phone for a vet and not a computer asking people for opinions on a forum

sorry as i said limited on time my PC broke and I'm posting in boas and the two places with the most viewing moderators please feel free to remove posts as necessary kind of a last ditch effort to get some help thats all

Not wealthy cant afford a large vet bill but also couldn't turn my head and leave the snake to die in the icy cold weather

well thanks anyway guys/gals Im out for the night will try what i can find on google

Bring it in from the cold don't let it die, i'll take it if you don't want it.

You need to consult a vet. If you can't afford to take care of this snake, then maybe you should find someone else who can.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

If you can't afford a vet, try contacting these guys. They are a Reptile Rescue in Cinncinati, but they may know of someone local that can help.

http://www.arrowheadreptilerescue.org/Web/about/

It also wouldn't hurt to at least call some vets and tell them the situation. I have heard of some vets offering their services at a discount for rescued animals. It won't hurt to try. And they also may know of some local rescues that may be able to help.

Hopefully this boa can be saved. Good luck, and thank you for getting it out of the cold. I would also suggest keeping it away from your other reptiles.

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Originally Posted by BPNoobie

Not wealthy cant afford a large vet bill but also couldn't turn my head and leave the snake to die in the icy cold weather

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You need to find a reptile rescue and surrender the Boa. I'm not trying to be harsh but if you can't provide proper care and rehabilitation, then your not rescuing it, your prolonging its suffering, even it it ultimately survives.

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

If you can't afford a vet, try contacting these guys. They are a Reptile Rescue in Cinncinati, but they may know of someone local that can help.

http://www.arrowheadreptilerescue.org/Web/about/

It also wouldn't hurt to at least call some vets and tell them the situation. I have heard of some vets offering their services at a discount for rescued animals. It won't hurt to try. And they also may know of some local rescues that may be able to help.

Hopefully this boa can be saved. Good luck, and thank you for getting it out of the cold. I would also suggest keeping it away from your other reptiles.

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This is great advice!
Kudos [sic] to you for taking it out of the cold, definitely keep it away from your other reptiles, and if you can get it help yourself that would be great. If not, bring it to a rescue or to someone who can take care of it.

I have to agree with what has been said.
1. keep it as far away from and animals you have (consider it extreme quarantine)
2. give it the proper temps, but don't just stick it straight into the proper temp enclosure, gradually warm it up (don't want to shock it)
3. call some vets and see if any will see it at a discount
4. find a rescue ASAP if you can't care for it

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Originally Posted by BPNoobie

Not even sure what it is its about 4 feet long looks like a red tail boa but where the tail should be red its black,... it has been in an abandoned building without heat or food for 1+ month its winter in cleveland so night time could be 30 degrees... Tried feeding it live mice and pre killed, wouldn't touch either I think its too weak... it moves around but it sometimes looks like a spider with moderate to severe wobble I just started getting into BPs but know nothing about boas and am still fairly new to snakes in general any help is appreciated sorry if Im posting in an improper section but I'm using a friends computer and am limited on time to collect answers.

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good for you for taking him in! don't pay attention to people giving you a hard time about having him if you can't afford a vet. He definitely does need to see a vet though. maybe you should give the vet a call and see if they can work something out for you!?

Good luck,
and keep us updated.

Still waiting on a call back from Arrowhead, but in the mean time.. Any idea as to what this might be? It's all over the last half of her underbelly, gets worse towards her tail. No raised bumps and no open sores.

http://i43.tinypic.com/1izb0m.jpg

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Originally Posted by BPNoobie

Still waiting on a call back from Arrowhead, but in the mean time.. Any idea as to what this might be? It's all over the last half of her underbelly, gets worse towards her tail. No raised bumps and no open sores.

http://i43.tinypic.com/1izb0m.jpg

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She looks pretty healthy for the situation she was in. This gal I am sure is at least mildly dehydrated after a month+ of no water. That could lead to the shaky or wobbling behavior. Don't get to worried about eating yet. I see a boa with a nice tone body no sign of weight lose. Once she is setup for a few weeks with proper temps she will most likely eat. That color change down the belly is fairly common thing. I don't see any sign on scale rot. Any sign of open mouth breathing or mucus. Those would be a sign of Respiratory Infection and will need treatment. There a good chance of RI in such a prolonged cold environment.

Here's a few more pictures... This is BPnoobie's wife now, and I would like to say that it's not really a wobble, but more like she can't control her head at all it starts flopping around when she tries to uncoil or lift herself when picked up. & no, we've seen no signs of RI whatsoever, just overall weakness.

http://i42.tinypic.com/aey7mr.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/humwy8.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/2yx26u1.jpg

Not knowing anything about its history, it could be anything. Just be very careful with your quarantine. After re-reading my reply, I honestly didn't mean it to sound so bad or harsh you did a good thing rescuing it, i apologize for what I said.

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Originally Posted by Maixx

Not knowing anything about its history, it could be anything. Just be very careful with your quarantine. After re-reading my reply, I honestly didn't mean it to sound so bad or harsh you did a good thing rescuing it, i apologize for what I said.

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It's okay, you were right in saying it as I feel the same way. My only problem lies in the fact that the closest reptile rescue to me in in Cincinatti, about 4 hours away. As for the quarantine, my brother is actually coming today to take the bp's to his house for a while. I did move them to a different room entirely though early this morning and sanitized their tubs. I would be heartbroken if one of them get sick too.

I hope she/he(?) pulls through for you and I hope you can get her to a vet as soon as possible.

As to what she is, I'd say a normal Colombian.

What you described sounds like a neurological issue. Since we don't know what it is, I would be extremely careful.

Always deal with this snake last and your established collection first. Keep sanitary and don't use the same things for the boa as your other snakes (tongs, hooks, etc.).

It looks to be a normal BCI/Colombian Red Tail/Red Tail boa.

And if so, can you link us a video of the snake's behavior? I'm interested in seeing what you described.

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Originally Posted by Daybreaker

I hope she/he(?) pulls through for you and I hope you can get her to a vet as soon as possible.

As to what she is, I'd say a normal Colombian.

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Me too, I've decided to let her be until tuesday to settle in some more, then try to feed a fresh killed rat. I'm starting to think she may have turned down the mice because they were too small.

Okay... So we finally found a rescue that said he would take her in. Great news, right?! Not so much.. I now have I guess you would say a moral dilemma. This guy claims that he has over 40 reptiles, and has dealt with all sorts of problems. I had been emailing back and forth with him for 3 days, talked to him on the phone twice for advice, he seemed to be pretty knowledgeable. That is, until I asked him if he knew about IBD or had any experience with it. His response was, "Yeah, Irritable Bowel Syndrome." I said "nooooo, it's a horrible extremely contagious disease that affects boas & BP's. There's no cure for it & the more I research it, the more I fear that's what the boa has." He says, "Oh well, if you don't know what to do with it or can't afford to take it to a vet, I'll take him/her off your hands. I have a few empty trays."

Did he not realize the extremely contagious part? I mean, I might be off here, But why would a legit rescue want to jeopardize their whole collection?? The whole thing seems completely strange to me... But I can't find any other rescues in my area. Closest I've found is in Cincinnati, which is 4 hours away....

Doesn't sound right, not sure how it works where your at, but you could try calling your local animal control, they might be able to put you in touch with registered animal rescues.
My guess is this is another novice using the disguise of a rescue to increase his personal collection.
Here, a real rescue is licensed and registered as a non-profit org.
Try looking up a local herp society or reptile club, the would have the best info for your area, they might also be a rescue.

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Originally Posted by BPNoobie

Okay... So we finally found a rescue that said he would take her in. Great news, right?! Not so much.. I now have I guess you would say a moral dilemma. This guy claims that he has over 40 reptiles, and has dealt with all sorts of problems. I had been emailing back and forth with him for 3 days, talked to him on the phone twice for advice, he seemed to be pretty knowledgeable. That is, until I asked him if he knew about IBD or had any experience with it. His response was, "Yeah, Irritable Bowel Syndrome." I said "nooooo, it's a horrible extremely contagious disease that affects boas & BP's. There's no cure for it & the more I research it, the more I fear that's what the boa has." He says, "Oh well, if you don't know what to do with it or can't afford to take it to a vet, I'll take him/her off your hands. I have a few empty trays."

Did he not realize the extremely contagious part? I mean, I might be off here, But why would a legit rescue want to jeopardize their whole collection?? The whole thing seems completely strange to me... But I can't find any other rescues in my area. Closest I've found is in Cincinnati, which is 4 hours away....

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I wouldn't be dealing with that guy at all. He may be legit, but I would think that anyone who has worked with boas or has done some research would have stumbled upon IBD in their research.

Me and my bf met up with another guy locally who takes in sick reptiles as well, and when we went there the animals (he had two normals, a king, some leopards, his own tortoise, a caiman, and two beardies: one on the verge of death (it was partially paralyzed). They were all kept in very crude enclosures and I didn't see any heating elements on the cages.

When I told him I was looking to get a Crestie in the future he asked what I was going to feed it (I believe he's "worked with" cresties before). I said Crested Gecko Diet to which he said, "Oh no, they need crickets - they can't live off of that". :rolleyes: After that I knew he really didn't know as much as what I supposed he came off to be. Not to mentioned he rescued a little boa a few months after and put it on Craigslist and couldn't even tell that it was a little hypo boa and not a normal.

Point being, I wouldn't trust that guy personally but if you are stuck I would ask to see how he cares for his animals, see his setups, and ask about quarantine and go from there.

She finally ventured out of her hide today, 2 days after we put it in there. Question though... Is this considered "stargazing"?

http://i41.tinypic.com/11w4njo.jpg

^ Was she unresponsive during her gazing (if you tapped the cage or her did she react)? Was she gazing only for a few moments or was she there for several minutes to an an hour? My boas will sometimes rest their heads upwards on the sides of their tubs so maybe she was doing that. I believe that most stargazing is when the snake looks straight up without leaning on anything.

Can she right herself if you put her on her back?

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Originally Posted by BPNoobie

Okay... So we finally found a rescue that said he would take her in. Great news, right?! Not so much.. I now have I guess you would say a moral dilemma. This guy claims that he has over 40 reptiles, and has dealt with all sorts of problems. I had been emailing back and forth with him for 3 days, talked to him on the phone twice for advice, he seemed to be pretty knowledgeable. That is, until I asked him if he knew about IBD or had any experience with it. His response was, "Yeah, Irritable Bowel Syndrome." I said "nooooo, it's a horrible extremely contagious disease that affects boas & BP's. There's no cure for it & the more I research it, the more I fear that's what the boa has." He says, "Oh well, if you don't know what to do with it or can't afford to take it to a vet, I'll take him/her off your hands. I have a few empty trays."

Did he not realize the extremely contagious part? I mean, I might be off here, But why would a legit rescue want to jeopardize their whole collection?? The whole thing seems completely strange to me... But I can't find any other rescues in my area. Closest I've found is in Cincinnati, which is 4 hours away....

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Wow. Yea I would write this guy off as someone trying to sound super experienced, but just wanting a free snake. I hope you are able to find a legit rescue or a vet that can even help you out. And I too, realize that my first post seemed harsh. That wasn't my intention and I do give you props for taking the snake in and doing what you possibly can for him/her.

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Originally Posted by BPNoobie

Did he not realize the extremely contagious part? I mean, I might be off here, But why would a legit rescue want to jeopardize their whole collection?? The whole thing seems completely strange to me... But I can't find any other rescues in my area. Closest I've found is in Cincinnati, which is 4 hours away....

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Yeah.. something doesn't sound right. You'd actually be surprised about some (but not all!) reptile rescues. Some take in animals regardless of sickness or not, then it causes an entire ordeal in their established animals. I saw this first hand with a rescue, and they lost some really great animals to a virus.

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Originally Posted by BPNoobie

She finally ventured out of her hide today, 2 days after we put it in there. Question though... Is this considered "stargazing"?

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I even have some snakes who will rest their head against the side of their tub like that. But since she was in the freezing cold, she could be doing that due to an RI to let the mucus drain down.

Star gazing is when they look straight up, whether leaning again the side of the enclosure or not. But when they lean against the side of the enclosure during a star gaze, their necks/heads will arch back a little (something I've noticed first hand at the rescue with multiple boas). When they don't lean again the side, it is pretty much straight up staring right at the ceiling.

Try out some of the things Angelica suggested and let us know what you observe.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c.../th_trying.jpg

SHe seeem to be doing better, being active.
She looks responsive to feeding , did she eat?

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Originally Posted by minguss

SHe seeem to be doing better, being active.
She looks responsive to feeding , did she eat?

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Nope, after the video ended she retreated to her hide & that was that.

Oh well.
She looking good though. I would give her a few weeks an try again.