Dumeril's Boa....

I will be going to pick up a DB today but I'm not really sure what to think. The guy says it's 2-3 years old and only 3'. Is that normal?

Yes, dumerils boas grow very very slowly. My girl is nearly 5 years old and only 4.5 feet.

I got him [emoji1]. God is he gorgeous. Pictures don't do these snakes justice.

Introducing my very first Boa......http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/20/byvupyhe.jpg

Very nice pickup there!!

And yes, that size is completely fine. Mine is a 2012 female (so about 2 years old) and is barely 2.5 ft. :gj:

Here's my girl
http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...psd9lz7xx7.jpg

Beautiful!

Houston we may have a problem... As much as it pains me to say it. We have Darwin (the dume of course) in quarantine as always recommended. He has a slight droop on both sides of his mouth, and preforms some open mouth "sighs". I am taking him to the vet ASAP. I will keep you updated. He would not eat and the inside of his mouth looks a little white. The not eating I was chalking up to the new environment, but now I'm not so sure.
The picture you saw is before I got a good look at the cage that he came with. Which was filthy. I sterilized everything he came with. Tossed his old water dish, and sterilized everything yet again. He now has all new decor and bedding and I'm trying to drop the humidity and raise the heat about 5 degrees or so. The problem is the vet can only be seen this Wednesday. Hope I can keep whatever is going on at bay.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/22/peqybuhy.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/22/utypequ8.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/22/2ypuve5a.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/22/a4y5anem.jpg

Yes I know a tank isn't the best and neither are lamps. I will be ordering a Herpstat soon and possibly going to a rack system as I want my collection to continue growing.

You can kind of see the gap on the side of the mouth in the first pic

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Originally Posted by Trackstrong83

Here's my girl
http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...psd9lz7xx7.jpg

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She is Gorgeous!

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Originally Posted by Spike89

She is Gorgeous!

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Thank ya :D
She's a sweetheart

Congrats he looks great.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/24/9ajemumu.jpg
......

"I have just been violated"

any update?? how's he doing, very pretty snake hopefully it's nothing major!

They just gave him his first broad spectrum today. I have to take him back Saturday then again monday. I'm lucky I'm only 40 minutes away from an amazing herp vet. RI infection was the issue....... thanks, he is our beautiful dumeril. :)

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/24/ude8uqa8.jpg

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by Spike89

They just gave him his first broad spectrum today. I have to take him back Saturday then again monday. I'm lucky I'm only 40 minutes away from an amazing herp vet. RI infection was the issue....... thanks, he is our beautiful dumeril. :)

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If it's an RI, I would get him off that cypress mulch and out of the tank. Use a tub and line it with paper towels instead - it's easier to clean. Use a heat mat and make sure it covers the ENTIRE BOTTOM. Don't put in any "furniture" except a water bowl. Heavily mist so the humidity is at about 90% and set the t-stat on the heat mat to 90. Raising the heat and humidity will help combat the infection. Continue what antibiotics your vet gives you. 3-4 weeks (or until he's no longer showing any symptoms) in the tub with the raised humidity should do it. You can let the humidity fall back to normal ranges at that point and also adjust the heat mat to only 1/2 the tub so he can begin to thermoregulate again. Give it another 1-2 weeks and as long as he continues to show no further symptoms he can go back in his regular enclosure. Always continue and finish whatever antibiotics your vet prescribes. Feed sparing and small during this time. :gj:

It may be a good idea but by the time a T-stat gets here the problem will already be gone. As of current the vet says to keep things as they are. He says it's not to serious and feels the treatment will be enough. He has been treating reptiles for many years. He says we will go to more drastic measures if the problem persist.

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Originally Posted by Spike89

It may be a good idea but by the time a T-stat gets here the problem will already be gone. As of current the vet says to keep things as they are. He says it's not to serious and feels the treatment will be enough. He has been treating reptiles for many years. He says we will go to more drastic measures if the problem persist.

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I seriously doubt the problem will be "already gone" before your t-stat arrives. RIs are a pain to get rid of no matter what type of bacteria is the cause. I'm not saying you shouldn't listen to your vet, but there is a reason those with YEARS of experience will also tell you to do what I told you. I am a bit shocked that your vet doesn't agree. That would concern me. Just sayin'.

I have also read allot who say hi heat low humidity. Not argueing.

Paper towels are terrible about holding humidity that's one reason why I stopped using them.

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Originally Posted by Spike89

I have also read allot who say hi heat low humidity. Not argueing.

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What you want to do to treat RIs is high heat and high humidity. Dryness aggravates the illness. I know you're not arguing, I just want to be clear if others read the thread. Whether you do or don't take the advice is up to you.

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Originally Posted by Spike89

Paper towels are terrible about holding humidity that's one reason why I stopped using them.

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The paper towels aren't for his regular cage. It is recommended to use the paper towels in a "hospital tub" during the RI treatment - not to replace the substrate you're using in his normal enclosure. The humidity has to be kept high with frequent misting in the tub. A tub just big enough for the snake is recommended so heat can be used under the entire tub. The point is to create a very clean environment in which the snake cannot leave either heat or humidity to combat the infection (in addition to the prescribed antibiotics).

Ok so we took Darwin to the vet for a follow up shot on monday. The Vet was very pleased with the progress. He is no longer open mouth breathing and has become seeming more active during the times he needs to be. Not as sluggish as before. Next shot is tomorrow.

Ok so he got his shot on wednesday. Of course the vet said he is doing well. But now I am certainly taking your advice. I think this vet may not be as good as I thought.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/02/ryveba4y.jpg

He is however not open mouth breathing anymore. The vet literally asked me if I would like to come back and get another shot. Not he needs another shot, but a it's up to you as a pet owner. I'm not a vet and I'm really mad.

I don't know maybe I'm over reacting. I am going to get a second opinion in Kettering Ohio.

Second opinion is good. You're not overreacting. It is good that you're taking the advice given. Keep us posted. He'll be ok, but it might be a long road.

How many injections has he had so far?? The usual round is 3 doses, but it does depend on the antibiotic being administered. He needs to finish whatever course has been started. Stopping then starting up again with either the same or a different antibiotic causes the bacteria to become resistant. Your vet should know this. I am slightly appalled that he even made an allusion to the final injections being not necessary. So, yes, a second opinion is good.....

Darwin is better now. He was given a clean bill of health a few weeks ago and has now been rehomed to make room for another project.