So my new baby lesser had a really bad shed. Actually, it was probably partially my fault - as I just got her 8 days ago - and wasn't handling her or really messing with her during her adjustment week and didn't even notice she was in shed. Well a couple days ago, I decided to try and feed her (again, not knowing she was in shed) - and well, she ate like a pig! The next morning, I look in her viv, and notice she had shed around her head, but the rest of her shed is still stuck on her body.
So after giving her a good 24+ hours to try to work on it herself - without any obvious progress - decided last night to soak her in a tub and work on it some through a washcloth. She didn't complain one bit and noticed that for a while, we were both working together to try and get it off. I got a bit off, but didn't want to stress her out so put her back in her house.
Tonight, I decided to have some more "spa" time - and things were going pretty good. Again, it felt like she was working with me - pushing her body hard against the wash cloth, through my fingers, and also along the edge of the table I was working above.
Things were going great - I had about 90% of it off her - and then got to her vent - at which point she promptly urinated on me, and then almost immediately struck at my arm.
I put her down to let her calm down, but she started repeatedly striking at me and any movement I made. Crazy. She went from weaving through my hand and the wash cloth to completely stressed in a matter of seconds. I felt so bad.
I was able to use the wash cloth to wrap around her without giving her another chance to hit me - and got in her in viv - but as soon as she was in she started striking at me again through the glass.
Is it possible that I hurt her somehow? Are they usually sensitive to messing around their vent area? Or did I just reach a threshold of "dude, enough spa time"?
I am worried because she has been such a sweetheart until this episode.
Oh... and I'll take getting struck at by a ball python any day of the week compared to, oh, say trying to give my cat a bad tasting pill - my arm is currently completely shredded from a cat that I am having to give antihistamine pills to daily.
Reply With Quote