Well we've done it again, another long drive to look at a prospective new addition to our snake roster only to meet a sad, sick, horribly mistreated snake. He was advertised as a borneo but we aren't positive, he's a blood of some sort.
He was kept in a 55gal glass tank OUTSIDE In a camper for a Month with no heat before being 'rescued' by the girl we got him from only to be mistreated for another month afterwards. He had a piece of foam rolled up for a hide that was saturated with water and no heat, hadn't been eating for who knows how long, and was very whistley and gurgley. She said if she didn't sell him she would have to put him down, cut his head off with a shovel or run him over or shoot him, because she was scared of him. I ended up convincing her to let us take him for nothing because of his obvious health conditions.
Well I picked him up and he's the sweetest snake I've ever held. She left a rat to rot in his viv because she was scared to take it out. Go figure.
I would hazard a guess that he's got an RI with the way he's breathing/whistling/bubbles. He seems a little saggy (underweight) and has some scales poking out concerningly, and his lower lip sticks out a bit on one side, but still seems to have a fair bit of strength and is somewhat alert. I would say he is around the 5' mark and a good 15 pounds or better.
Unfortunately where I live there aren't any herp vets for hundreds of miles BUT I do have a vet that is willing to do some research and get in some meds to treat him. He's unexperienced with snakes but is willing to help us as much as he can.
I've stuck him in the biggest tub I could find with an UTH at 85 degrees and quarantined him from the rest of my collection until we get him sorted out.
I guess what I'm looking for is the best advice from the population out there about what I can do in the mean time before the vet can help us out. I've done tons of digging and found little, some home remedies with a fogger and eucalyptus oil and vicks but don't know if that's worth a shot or would be detrimental for him at this time.
I offered him a mouse/rat in hopes he would eat but he wasn't into it.
If there's anything I can do to help him in the meantime please let me know, we have really grown fond of him in the short time we've had him in our care. And also if there are any Resources for me or the vet to get ahold of as to the meds and dosage for weight of the snake please point me in that direction.
Sorry if this has been a long rambling post, it is feeding day and we've been up all night feeding cleaning and assisting a problematic rat birth haha I'm spent. Thanks.
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