November Update on Grace

As psomised (sorry I've been so busy lately), here is Grace's latest update. I think we have gotten over the last hump, and her wound will slowly start to disappear over the next year, just as a snake's "belly button" does. Grace shed on November 4th and weighed in at 67 grams. She was born at 47 grams, and weighed in today at 95 grams. So, growing and eating doesn't seem to be a problem. We did switch her from paper towels to aspen bedding about three weeks ago, and she seems to love it, and her last shed was perfect. Enough of my talking, here are some updated shots. First up is her scar taken today, and second is an updated shot of Grace, also taken today.

http://www.baileyreptiles.com/pics/herniahealed.jpg

http://www.baileyreptiles.com/pics/gracenov.jpg

Enjoy and thanks for all of the support along the way,

She looks great Dr Bailey :gj::gj: :rofl:

Wow MBM! that is awesome!

She looks fantastic!

:clap:

-co

It doesn't hurt her famous position that she's absolutely gorgeous!!!!


Again, great work!!!

I've been following this whole ordeal from the start...and was just too amazed to say anything. That is totally great that you were able to save her! And she's a knockout to boot. Heck, even my boyfriend (who really isn't into snakes) has been really interested in updates on this little girl. She looks awesome, and we both say Congrats!!

:w00t::fest::gj:

tim seriously awesome job dude. most might not have done what you did

She is SUCH a little miracle doll! :love: I'm so SO happy that she's growing and thriving!!! :sunny:

Very impressive Tim - I've followed your updates - A perfect example of a man with a heart and passion for the animal, and an animal that has responded to that and coming on strong - Best of luck to you and yours :gj:

Thanks Joe, MeMe, Argentra, Pat and Judy. Argentra, it's always great to hear when people who do not like snakes can find some reason to be attracted to the hobby.

Short story about how my mother ever really got into my passion. I had a checkered garter way back when (when I didn't know anything), and he got some duct tape stuck to his neck and head. Well, my best friends dad was a vet. We called Eugene, and asked him what to do. We fianlly got the tape off using vegetable oil, but he only lived another week or 2. He was very tiny, only about 2 months old. To make the story short, my mom felt sorry for him after seeing him with the tape on him, and actually held almost every day until he died. Then, it wasn't near as hard to talk her into letting me get mor reptiles.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BP's Rock

Very impressive Tim - I've followed your updates - A perfect example of a man with a heart and passion for the animal, and an animal that has responded to that and coming on strong - Best of luck to you and yours :gj:

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Thanks Mike.

You should mention she is hot too, a great save! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sputnik

You should mention she is hot too, a great save! :)

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Sorry Scott.

SHE'S HOT TOO!!!

How wonderful! Congrats on the good work and on her beauty and recovery! She looks fantastic. I hope she continues to amaze you - only in good, healthy and happy ways! :)

Again, good job on taking such great care of her.:gj::gj: I have also been following her story from when you first posted about her and it is just amazing how far she has come and how well she is doing!! And she is absolutely beautiful!! :)

She's lookin' great!

Like many on here, I too have been keeping an eye out for the updates on how she is doing.

With each new update on her, I still sit back and think how amazing and strong this little creature is and what a wonderful job you have done with her.

I for one would like to say Thank You for being you.

A true insperation for all of us.

I've also been following Grace's updates and have to say that you did a great job with her. But on Grace's behalf, I must comment on the resiliance of these creatures. Given a chance at life, she accepted the offer and is showing it radiantely. They truely are amazing creatures too oft misunderstood. congrats to Tim & Grace.

She looks beautiful, Tim! You and Monica are doing such a great job with her. :D I can't believe how well that wound is healing! I can hardly notice it now. :hug:

Oh Tim she's looking so well! It really is amazing that in such a realitively short time she's just absolutely bounced back from the horror of those first pictures of her. I cannot say enough about you and Monica and your committment to this little beauty. A lot of people might not even bothered to try, you two did and Grace had the fight to live in her....what a beautiful result. :)

Tim, it is soooo good to hear that Grace is thriving! I can't help but think of all the breeders who would have thrown her in the freezer and not even tried to save her. Thanks to you and Monica for being who you are! :bow:

Awesome job, Tim! Grace really lives up to her name!!!!

Steve

Thanks Melissa, Pamela, Mitch, Dusty Doris, Kim, Jo and Alice. I really appreciate the comments and support. I can say that as many of you have stated, I can only take a small portion of the credit, because I only worked for about 30 minutes stitching her up. However, Grace has worked 24 hours a day to pull through. I still get a glow on my face everytime I look at her.

Tim, she looks amazing! She's always been a beautiful spider, and her story made her even more beautiful! It's so good to hear what a miracle she truly is!

Ive been keeping up on Graces story..Its so wonderful to see that what looked like doom for an animal has ended with a wonderful life ahead.. Maybe some would have given up. but the compassion and determination to give her the chance at life is just so awesome . If only more people in this world would feel just a small portion of what we (animal people ) feel .The horrid abuse and neglect of animals would be diminished. The first snake I aquired was from a local pet shop. Its a corn snake but he was in a little cricket container..sand to lay on..no hide..and an empty water dish. the guy said he hatched oct-nov 05 this was march 06. Anyone could see the little guy needed help. after a month I weighed him in at 16 grams. now 15 months later hes up over 400 grams. They joy to see an animal flourish is wonderful.. Keep up the good work and PLEASE keep us updated on Grace.. I think alot of people here will become her ""Proud Aunts and Uncles" to see her first clutch hatch.
:gj:

Tim you're my hero, this story is such an inspiration :gj:

Did you apply for vet school yet :D ;)

Unreal Tim.......................:salute:

Agreed, you did a great job, and she looks amazing! One of the best spiders Ive ever seen!:D:D:D

Thanks Again everybody for following our little miracle.

Deborah, I have not applied yet. Still trying to raise the funds. LOL.

I came to the forum after you initially posted about Grace, but I got hooked and have been waiting for updates! Looks like she made a great recovery! That's great you were able to save her!

I haven't been around much lately, but this was the first string of threads that I've hit....


Oh waaaaaaaaay to go to you guys!! She's doing so fantastic, and growing like she should. Yaaaaaaaaay!!! :banana: :pinkele: :gj: :thumbsup:

That first pic is just craaaaaazy---definitely showing that even if she didn't exhibit it before, like she has for months, Grace has the 'tude to live and thrive. :D :D :D It looks like she's getting ready to take a hit at you. How AWESOME!!

Her belly is just doing so wonderfully, but reading....ARE you planning on breeding her? She's a gorgeous spider, but do you think her wound and prolapse could be inheritable???????

I'm sure there are umpteens of members here who would give her a home, but MAN! what a beautiful snake, and what a wonderful pair of breeders who would take the time to care for such a fragile, special baby!!!!

Hugs to you for your successful meals and poo. Best wishes for many, many MORE poos and grams of growth to come!!!!


RuLyn

She is such a pretty little girl.
I have keep her in my heart and mind since you posted the first pics. I am so happy that she is doing good. She was a very lucky lady to have you to mend her and take care of her :gj:

Big props to you :bow:

I just caught up on this story, and wow... What that poor dear has been though! She is looking amazing, and sounds like she's doing fantastic! Wow, wow, wow! Way to go! :gj::bow:

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Originally Posted by sweety314

ARE you planning on breeding her? She's a gorgeous spider, but do you think her wound and prolapse could be inheritable???????
RuLyn

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RuLyn,
I don't think it is inheritable, but this is what my strategy is to avoid it in case it is inheritable. I have produced 24 Spiders from my original male, and she is the only one to have this issue. Therefore, I don't think it is coming from the male.
We produced 5 Spiders and 5 Normals in the clutch with Grace, and she was the only one to have a hrenia. Now this was the first clutch that I know of that this female laid ( I bought her at 3 years old), but she is not breeding the Spider this year. If I get another baby from like that this year, I will probably not breed her anymore.

I told my husband this story last night. He was amazed, too. We are both irritated that the vet you stopped by and asked to buy a suture kit from denied you. Shame on them. And BIG PROPS to you for saving a life!! You truly belong where you are and doing what you do. Any snake hatched under your roof is lucky to do so! :snake: :D

I know the mechanics of human and snake development aren't the same but I imagine in some cases nature is nature.

Our family went through an infant being born with an omphalocele (her liver was completely outside her body at birth). Our understanding is that if this is a single abnormality, in effect, a birth defect with no associated syndromes present then the chances of any genetic issues are no more than any other pregnancy for any other female. In other words, simply a one time occurrence where something went a little wrong during the abdominal development stage for the fetus. In my niece's case she was given corrective surgery and is a completely normal child, who will live a completely normal life, have children one day if she so chooses, play sports, etc.

I would think with Grace since there seems nothing else wrong with her....she constricts appropriately, eats, defecates, passes urine and urates and is growing well....that it's unlikely that it's part of a greater genetic issue. I'm no genetics expert here but generally something this major would have other associated issues for the animal affected I would think, if it were more than a simple lack of muscle closure.

Birth defects do just happen...to us, to animals. Some are correctable and have little long term effects, others are not. I think in Grace's case the steps that Tim and Monica made so soon after her birth and the continuing stellar care they give her will likely result in a beautiful, healthy adult one day. :) If not, it certainly can't ever be said it was for lack of trying.

Thanks for the update, Tim! She's looking fabulous. :D :gj:

Tim sorry I missed this thread. Grace looks great!! Even got a little snappy pose there for ya.. That was some freaking great work man..

U Mi Hero...

Thanks Again everyone. I always get so giddy when it's time to post a Grace update. I know that everyone is always so excited to see updates that I can never wait for an update worthy event in her life.