Snake in a car ...

So I'm taking my little guy to the vet on Wednesday to check for a RI. He's pretty heavy in shed, he went into blue yesterday, still really cloudy today. I let the vet know that he'd be in shed, in case that's a problem or in case she thought we should wait but she suggested bringing him in anyways.

Basically I'm just wondering what the best way to transport when it's chilly out. It has been super warm but the temperature has dropped enough tonight that you can see your breath here.

I don't have any heat packs, but I was thinking putting him in the container he was shipped in (if he still fits.. if not I'll just put air holes in a bigger tuperware container) and putting that back in his shipping box, toss in a jar with hot water in it to keep the box warm? I've never had to take him anywhere, so just wondering if this set up seems sufficient or if there's a better way to do things.

Thanks guys :)

Crank the heat and get ready to sweat

Put him in a pillow case and then the box he came in. Pre heat the car, and he'll be fine.

This is one reason to always have some heat packs from Wal-Mart laying around.

Warm up your car before you leave...your snake will be fine with cooler temps for a trip to the vet.

I would transport him in a tub/tupperware and keep the car warm. The time it takes to get in and out of the car/vet shouldn't be an issue.

In the past I have put the snake in a pillow case (turned inside out) then on top of a medical hot water bottle filled with 85-8 degree water. If its a long drive it is easy to stop and use a restroom sink to refill the water bottle.
Just make sure you use a thermometer or temp gun for the water temps, never guess when it comes to temps.

I have a small coleman cooler, that I preheat for road trips on cool days

Thanks guys :)

In the future I will definitely keep some heat packs stashed in the odds and ends drawer :)

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Originally Posted by Ashleigh91

So I'm taking my little guy to the vet on Wednesday to check for a RI. He's pretty heavy in shed, he went into blue yesterday, still really cloudy today. I let the vet know that he'd be in shed, in case that's a problem or in case she thought we should wait but she suggested bringing him in anyways.

Basically I'm just wondering what the best way to transport when it's chilly out. It has been super warm but the temperature has dropped enough tonight that you can see your breath here.

I don't have any heat packs, but I was thinking putting him in the container he was shipped in (if he still fits.. if not I'll just put air holes in a bigger tuperware container) and putting that back in his shipping box, toss in a jar with hot water in it to keep the box warm? I've never had to take him anywhere, so just wondering if this set up seems sufficient or if there's a better way to do things.

Thanks guys :)

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I use a cotton snake bag filled with popcorn as a reusable heat pack.

Nuke in it the microwave for a short time and it stays nice and toasty in whatever box you have your snake container in.
[just don't let it touch the snake in case you got it too hot]

If you're out for a long time and it gets chilled, just stop at a 7-11 and renuke it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Salamander

I use a cotton snake bag filled with popcorn as a reusable heat pack.

Nuke in it the microwave for a short time and it stays nice and toasty in whatever box you have your snake container in.
[just don't let it touch the snake in case you got it too hot]

If you're out for a long time and it gets chilled, just stop at a 7-11 and renuke it.

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Can only certain types of them be nuked? Playing with the idea of trying that with the big heat pack that came with him :P unless of course it will blow up my microwave :P

My snake has become quite the little traveler lately.

I have a 15qt tub with air holes drilled in that I use. I put a cloth on the bottom and one of her hides in with her. I then preheat the car and dress like it's the middle of summer. When walking to and from the car, I wrap the tub in a blanket. Exposure to the cold air can cause an RI, though that is what you are going to have checked out, but it certainly can't help. I usually leave the blanket loosely fluffed around the the tub so it feels more like a burrow.

I got some of those handwarmers for transporting mine :) Got microwaveable wheat filled ones...until I nearly burned down my other halfs mums house because I left it too long in the microwave and it started smouldering and smoking.

Whoops. Getting the Gel packs now, the ones where you snap the metal element inside and it heats up. Theyre pretty good wrapped in a towel/flannel, in a paper bag and under the substrate in the tub :)

EDIT - And really handy to have on particularly long journeys :) Microwaves are few and far between on the motorway ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ashleigh91

Can only certain types of them be nuked? Playing with the idea of trying that with the big heat pack that came with him :P unless of course it will blow up my microwave :P

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If it's a chemical heat pad that gets "activated" when exposed to air, no.

But you can buy hot/cold packs for body aches that can be reheated.

Popcorn works because it stays warm and releases some humidity, too.

Plus it's cheap to replace and smells yummy.

LOL

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CherryPython

I got some of those handwarmers for transporting mine :) Got microwaveable wheat filled ones...until I nearly burned down my other halfs mums house because I left it too long in the microwave and it started smouldering and smoking.

Whoops. Getting the Gel packs now, the ones where you snap the metal element inside and it heats up. Theyre pretty good wrapped in a towel/flannel, in a paper bag and under the substrate in the tub :)

EDIT - And really handy to have on particularly long journeys :) Microwaves are few and far between on the motorway ;)

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:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

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Originally Posted by Salamander

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

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Think it went something like...
Grant: "Is that heat pack on fire?"
Me: "Nahhh It's never been a problem bef-"
Grants Mum: "I can smell smoke..."
*sigh* "I'll check it..."
WHOOSH.
Me: :omg: "OHGAWWWD."

She forgave me...once the smell had gone.

i have one of those styrofoam coolers that i keep in my snake room so it stays warm. i drilled a few holes in the top and done..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ashleigh91

Can only certain types of them be nuked? Playing with the idea of trying that with the big heat pack that came with him :P unless of course it will blow up my microwave :P

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You can't re-use a heat pack. The poster above you was talking about a home-made one that they made.