I think I broke my BP.

[Starywary]

I rescued a BP about a month ago from some lady. She said she had him since he was a baby and that he is 7 years old. First thing that was of is that he is only about 32". Shouldn't he be much bigger than that? He (or she) was also pretty darn thin and it's skin seemed to be wrinkled. She said he had just finished shedding and that she had fed him on Sat.( I pickedhim up on the following MOn) and get this, she was only feeding him once a month and reassured me that he was good for the month since she had fed him. Now I know snakes can go without eating for months at a time, but this was her not feeding him for a month, not the snake refusing food. I am a noob with BPs, but I know a little, and this poor guy was totally underfed. OK, I'm babbling, so long story not short, I have him on a weekly schedule now, he eats frozen adult mice, but I think he really needs to be eating small rats, but I'm not sure. But he eats great and seems to be pretty darn hungry, he's already put on weight and filled out. But to the point, he had some shed still left on him, and so I soaked him tonight. Most of the leftover skin came right off, but there were very stuck bits around his lips and other random places. He seemed to have skin that was coming off but still stuck around his spurs, so I tried to carefully rub it with a washcloth, peel it a little with my nail, and rub my thumb over it, and one of his spurs FELL OFF!! I freaked out and found it on the floor, it looks like I cat claw, hollow too. It wasn't bleeding or anything, but I think I broke my snake!! Will he be ok? Are spurs really just the leftover legs of what they used to have?I read that they are shed as well, but was this a shed or just a complete removal? I feel so bad and regret trying to get the skin off. I'm starting to realize that this lady did not take the greatest care of him. The bowl she gave me was a ceramic or porcelain( not sure) dog bowl, and she must not have cleaned it in the whole 7 years, just kept refilling it, cuz it was caked with lime or whatever that white stuff is. My gf said vinegar would take it off, so I soaked it for days and it came right off with a butter knife. Sorry about my rambling, scattered post, but is my BP ok?

[Jeo123]

Well, I can't comment too much on the spur falling off. It doesn't sound good honestly, but I'm inclined to say what's done is done and as long as there was not blood I guess you're ok. If you were to take the snake to a vet, the best he could do would be to seal any wound to prevent infection, but without blood it doesn't seem like there's cause for concern. Just keep an eye on your new snake.

Regarding the bowl, I recently replaced my bowl, simply because I think it's a good thing to do from time to time. I would go away for a few days and when I came back the bowl felt slimy and it had red dust from the rept-bark I had at the time. I've since replaced the bowl and I think it was definitely money well spent. I doubt the previous owner has ever replaced that bowl, so I really suggest buying a new one.

Good for you for taking in a rescue though, always good to hear stories like that.

[cinderbird]

Calm down, most of what we see as the visible spur is accumulated stuck shed. Your snake is fine. I'd just buy him a new water bowl.

Here's a picture.

[seeya205]

You will be okay! He sounds like he is doing okay! The stuck pieces of shed is not a problem! Just keep the humidity up to 60% and when he is in shed, mist the cage daily. He should then have a clean shed and the old shed will come right off! Good job on the rescue! Keep it up!

[Jeo123]

I definitely appreciate that picture. While I didn't claim to know the best advice, it is good to know for my own snake. I am personally glad to hear that as I thought it wasn't a big concern.

[Starywary]

Phew thanks. Yeh he's looking a lot better since I got him. And she said he hadn't been handled much in the past couple years since it was her stepson's snake and he moved out and left it. She said he had gotten a little nervy but would be ok after a while of getting used to being handled again. This snake is the calmest guy ever, lol. He has never even made any attempt to strike or look threatened or anything. I know he wasn't probably the happiest yesterday when I was soaking him and getting stuck shed on him (especially since parts fell off besides skin lol) but he is very easy to handle. Of course he is probably just getting some strength and life back to him too so maybe I shouldn't jinx it, lol. I am confident he will gain weight, but do snakes who have been stunted by being underfed actually grow longer as they get healthier? at 7 yrs old and less than 3 feet, is it possible he's just a small snake, or is it from bad care? maybe I should start that on a separate thread. THanks again everyone. relieved I don't have to try and glue the spur back on him, lol

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Spurs will grow back. Breeding males sometimes lose one or both spurs if they are strong breeders and breed many females. Don't worry. It will take awhile, but like teeth, spurs grow back

[ClarkT]

He will definitely grow more now. We have one that was 5 yrs. old and 30" long. She was only 400 grams. That was 1 year ago. Now she's close to 4' long, and she's just over 1200 grams!

Keep up the healthy care, and he/she will do great!

[Kingofspades]

He'll be fine. Feed him small meals to start, then larger meals.

I have an 11 year old female I rescued that weighed 900 grams. I've had her for a month and she is 1160 now.
The dude fed her a MOUSE once a month.

He'll grow. No worries.

[loonunit]

Spurs grow back! It's okay! Sounds like you're doing a really good job with this guy. When you get a chance you should take some pics of him and share with us so we can admire him.