Gabe is Having Problems

:( Rough night... When I pulled Gabe out of his cage in the yesterday evening, I could tell he was moving funny. He started pooping so I figured that was why and put him back in. Then, before bed, I picked him up again and it was still happening -- he was kind of flopping his head around, making it go straight up and back. He wasn't coiling around my arm at all. He wasn't flicking his tongue. Comcast just happened to go down at that exact moment, preventing me from finding out any information so my freakout ensued. I was so upset I about made myself sick. My boyfriend called a 24 hour vet and she told us that it may be star gazing and he may have an RI. I haven't noticed any labored breathing but he's so small that I don't know that I would be able to tell. He doesn't seem to have any discharge. We soaked him in some warm water. He just seems to have no strength, and the head is just flopping. Gabe is going to the vet this morning. I'm worried sick. The way he acts, I've seen many animals do it right before they die, even though I'm new to reptiles. It just feels like dying.

If anyone has any input -- FYI, he has two log hides, newspaper substrate, he has regurged once and eaten a small mouse once since I've gotten him, his temperatures have been a little on the low side, around 87 on the hotter side, 84 on the low, humidity has been steady around 55%, and has shown no outward symptoms until last night.

:(

hang in there and good luck!
going to the vet is the only suggestion I have and you've already got that covered

Good luck i really hope he gets better. That really sucks....

From what I've read on here, regurgitation can be really hard on a young BP's digestive system... Good luck at the vet this morning, and make sure to let her/him know about the regurge. :hug:

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Originally Posted by AzureN1ght

From what I've read on here, regurgitation can be really hard on a young BP's digestive system... Good luck at the vet this morning, and make sure to let her/him know about the regurge. :hug:

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It is very hard on their system. Good luck with that little guy.

Where did you get him from???

He was bought from a Petco (I know, I know). I checked him out several times before I bought and he seemed fine. I don't think the regurg was too bad on him, he ate a mouse the next week. It's just so sudden... he was fine yesterday and now... I can't even look at him without tearing up -- the head flopping is really hard to watch.

Be aware that star-gazing and regurge are two signs of IBD. It could also be something as simple as parasites or RI, and I'm sure your vet will tell you quickly.
Here's hoping for the best! BIG HUGS
Wolfy

Thank you guys for the support. I need it right now. :(

God I hope it's not IBD. I've had such a short time with him.

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Originally Posted by darkangel

:( Gabe is going to the vet this morning. I'm worried sick.

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The best wishes. Please keep us posted :hug:

Here is a great article on IBD

http://www.animalnetwork.com/reptile...d=3977&search=

Oh God. That is just awful. He's displaying some of those signs. The regurg, he's only eaten one meal in over a month, and a very accurate description of the awkwardly twisting head, like he can't stabilize himself. :tears: I'm still waiting to hear from my bf, who is actually taking Gabe in today.

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Originally Posted by darkangel

Oh God. That is just awful. He's displaying some of those signs. The regurg, he's only eaten one meal in over a month, and a very accurate description of the awkwardly twisting head, like he can't stabilize himself. :tears: I'm still waiting to hear from my bf, who is actually taking Gabe in today.

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Chin up sweet heart. It ain't over till the verdict is in. :hug: :worry: :worry: you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

:hug: Hang in there, thinking good healing thoughts for the little guy.

Good luck hope hes ok.

My bf just called me from the vet. The vet could not rule out IBD, but he can't be certain either. He thinks it could be viral or bacterial, like a meningitis. They force fed and hydrated him, and checked his poop for parasites (nothing found). He's on an antibiotic shot. If it's bacterial, he will probably get better. If it's viral it's fatal. I should know by this weekend whether or not he's gonna make it.

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Originally Posted by darkangel

My bf just called me from the vet. The vet could not rule out IBD, but he can't be certain either. He thinks it could be viral or bacterial, like a meningitis. They force fed and hydrated him, and checked his poop for parasites (nothing found). He's on an antibiotic shot. If it's bacterial, he will probably get better. If it's viral it's fatal. I should know by this weekend whether or not he's gonna make it.

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Clean and sterilize every thing!!!!! . Get him in a total different part of the house. If you handle him wash your hands with an antibacterial soap and clean and sterilize anything that he has come in contact with.

If it is IBD then any of your other snakes can catch it and it will kill them.

Best of luck!

Oh dear! Sounds terribly frightening! Hang in there, hon...you're doing all the right things! And do be sure to follow Ed's advice...sterilization and sanitation are critical at this stage. I wish all the best for you and little Gabe! :hug:

I washed his tank with antibacterial soap and hot water. I cleaned the hides, the waterdish, and all that. I actually just received a new snake in the mail today and I took him straight up stairs and into his cage. They will remain on different floors and I will wash my hands till they hurt if that's what it takes to keep something from spreading. Poor lil Gabe... He came home from the vet and he is just motionless with his head tilted up. I just want to find out as soon as possible what this is (treatable or not) because I don't want any animal to suffer... If he doesn't get better by this weekend I will have him euthanized.

Again, thank you all for your kind words.

It's wonderful to see someone so caring about their animals. It's not always easy and most often times gut wrenching especially when you've done all you can. I'm sorry to hear about Gabe, but I know "Bomani" will be in good, caring hands. Your willing to learn and do what's best. Keep us posted.

Thank you Ivy for sending Bomani (now Panndor) to me. I will do my best to make sure nothing comes into contact with both the snakes without being washed thoroughly, and I'll post pictures later so you can see he arrived safely :) He's been the little beacon of light in this otherwise very bleak and crappy day.

Panndor I love it. From Pandora?? Good for you, I'm glad he's there and safe :sunny: :sunny:

one final thought you got him from a chain pet store if it turns out to be IBD then contact petco ASAP and tell them because its likey all the animals he came in contact with will have it and they need to let their customers know.

Good idea. I was planning on doing that whether it turns out to be IBD or not. I doubt they have the same snakes that were there when I picked up Gabe, but it's very possible the germs and all that are still in the cage. How common is this in captive bred animals because they INSISTED that he was cb. Is it more common in imports or does it just not really matter since it's spread so easy?

One thing is for sure, as I continue with this hobby, I will NEVER buy a snake from a LPS again. To hell with the cost of shipping, it's worth it to get the animal from someone who knows its history.

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Originally Posted by darkangel

Is it more common in imports or does it just not really matter since it's spread so easy?

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They wouldn't dare sale a CH or import as CB if they did and your whole collection die because of it they would be liable for it.
If she did contract IBD from the store then it possible that it contracted it from the store itself.

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One thing is for sure, as I continue with this hobby, I will NEVER buy a snake from a LPS again. To hell with the cost of shipping, it's worth it to get the animal from someone who knows its history.

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Bravo!

This is so sad :(
Hope it turns out to be something innocuous and not the dreaded virus.
Good luck and be strong :)

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Originally Posted by darkangel

Good idea. I was planning on doing that whether it turns out to be IBD or not. I doubt they have the same snakes that were there when I picked up Gabe, but it's very possible the germs and all that are still in the cage. How common is this in captive bred animals because they INSISTED that he was cb. Is it more common in imports or does it just not really matter since it's spread so easy?

One thing is for sure, as I continue with this hobby, I will NEVER buy a snake from a LPS again. To hell with the cost of shipping, it's worth it to get the animal from someone who knows its history.

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My understanding is that Petco has a contract with a distributor that sells imports (CH) - but maybe that's changed. I believe they work exclusively with this distributor.

From an older thread:

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Actually, as a matter of national corporate policy, PetCo stores are only allowed to sell reptiles received from their distributer. Local animals are a big no no.

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I just got home from work. Gabe had curled into a little ball and died. I feel awful. God I feel awful. The poor little thing. He was so sweet and he didn't deserve that. :tears: :tears: I've decided whether or not they are going to give me money back or attempt to replace him, I'm calling Petco.

I am sooooo sorry to hear about your loss. I think I speak for everyone on hear when I say, we're here for you. :hug:

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. :hug:

I just got off the phone with the manager of that Petco store. I explained to the manager what the disease was, what happened to Gabe, and asked him if they could thoroughly sterilize the cages and anything that has touched the snakes. He said people don't usually call in and let them know when there are problems like this and do the research and explain what happened. He also offered me a big discount if I would like to get another snake from them. I'm glad I called. It makes me feel a little better.

I am so upset. Bf is burying Gabe in the front yard right now. I feel so bad for the little guy.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read my posts today, and respond, and try to help me. It's nice to have a community to turn to when things like this happen.

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Originally Posted by darkangel

I just got home from work. Gabe had curled into a little ball and died. I feel awful. God I feel awful. The poor little thing. He was so sweet and he didn't deserve that. :tears: :tears: I've decided whether or not they are going to give me money back or attempt to replace him, I'm calling Petco.

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I'm so sorry for your loss. :hug: I'm not sure what the cost would be, but it might be worth it to get a necropsy done on him. From what I understand, it's the only way to detect the presense of IBD. If your little one had it, it might be a danger to any other BPs that come into your home--and a danger to anyone who bought snakes at that PetCo.

I'd definitely call PetCo--and maybe see if they'll cover your vet bills/necropsy cost, as it's in their best interest to find out if IBD is in their store.

Good luck, hon.

hey, sorry about Gabe,im kind of glad i found this thread, i never heard of ibd before,,snake aids? well atleast i know now and knwo what to look out for if Carmen is ever that ill.
Atleast the Store owner guy was kind enough to offer you some compensation.his way of saying sorry i guess.again sorry for Gabe.

I'm so sorry about you losing Gabe. :hug: I felt like crying when I finished reading this thread. :tears: I don't know if I'd get another BP from that PetCo again... maybe they'd let you buy other supplies with store credit?

oh,


I am so sorry for your loss - and the speed of it stuns me.:(


best wished for your other little guy too. Thank god you followed good quarantine procedures - it's amazing how many people dont.

:grouphug:



dr del

that sucks. im sorry. I just lost one too Reggie died feb 27. im 32 years old and cried like a baby.

oh my how heart breaking :( best of luck! This is gonna sound gross, but if you have the time & money I would really dig him up and get a nero done on him. If it was IBD this is the only way they can be sure.

Please please PLEASE sanitize EVERYTHING he came in contact with, If it were me I'd throw it away. Watch your new sanke for the same kind of signs. Once again I'm really sorry for your loss! :(

I'm not even going to take the new snake downstairs. Gabe was never upstairs so hopefully this should work as far as quarantining. I think I'm going to just pack up the aquarium he was in and leave it in the shed for now. When I get another snake, I'll just buy a tub because I think that's a better idea anyway.

I know I'm by no stretch of the imagination an expert or a medical professional, but I did alot of reading last night of the progression of symptoms of IBD in pythons... and I don't think I could be more sure that was what happened. There were things I hadn't even thought about -- one symptom is the inability to strike and coil around food. The one mouse Gabe ate, he did not strike or coil, just picked it up. He showed alot of the neurological symptoms, and the earlier regurgitation and anorexia. It's hard to believe that it can hit so hard and fast.

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Originally Posted by Sausage

I'm so sorry about you losing Gabe. :hug: I felt like crying when I finished reading this thread. :tears: I don't know if I'd get another BP from that PetCo again... maybe they'd let you buy other supplies with store credit?

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I definatly agree. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss... :tears:

Sooooooo sorry!!! :hug:


One thing to think of too---If you have the log hides, just soaking and sterilizing won't be enough. The virus could be in the fibers and little pockets all over the bark of the hide. Those I personally would burn and then get plastic bowls-type hides for the new pet.

Best wishes for you and your newest pet! Many, many happy years to you!


RuLyn:sunny:

Yeah wasn't planning on using the "infected" hides. They're cheap enough anyway.. No use in risking something else getting infected. Panndor is doing great and he's really cheering me up :) Thank you all for your well wishes.

I am so sorry for you loss hun. I agree with the others though and get a necropsy done if you can and I would do what you can to get Petco to pay for it. Best wishes for your future and big ((()))'s.

I really can't afford it :(

See my next thread for some follow up on this.