HELP! Can a twisted umbilicus be helped?!

[mues155]

I need advice here...it seems two of my babies that are still in their eggs have twisted umbilicus cords. They both have a little yolk to go but they will die if I dont do something.
Can anything be done to save them or am I just forced to watch them die?! I've already had two babies die in this clutch (one from a twisted umbilicus) and I cant take another two. These babies are on day 58 by the way.
They are both very responsive when I check them.
Any advice would be SO appreciated.


DSC00641 by zombiecupcake155, on Flickr


DSC00642 by zombiecupcake155, on Flickr

[cdavidson9]

If I remember correctly either Ralph or Kobylka posted a vid on youtube showing what to do. Search and I'm sure u will find some help. I believe ur supposed to cut it and tie it off with fishing line or something like that? Please do not quote me on this.. that could have been for a different problem. Just try the search, its worth a shot. Sorry I couldn't help more, best of luck. Pulling for u and the 2 babes!

I need advice here...it seems two of my babies that are still in their eggs have twisted umbilicus cords. They both have a little yolk to go but they will die if I dont do something.
Can anything be done to save them or am I just forced to watch them die?! I've already had two babies die in this clutch (one from a twisted umbilicus) and I cant take another two. These babies are on day 58 by the way.
They are both very responsive when I check them.
Any advice would be SO appreciated.


DSC00641 by zombiecupcake155, on Flickr


DSC00642 by zombiecupcake155, on Flickr

[mues155]

If I remember correctly either Ralph or Kobylka posted a vid on youtube showing what to do. Search and I'm sure u will find some help. I believe ur supposed to cut it and tie it off with fishing line or something like that? Please do not quote me on this.. that could have been for a different problem. Just try the search, its worth a shot. Sorry I couldn't help more, best of luck. Pulling for u and the 2 babes!

Thank you but I cant find any videos on youtube about twisted umbicial help. I've tried a few different phrases and cant find anything.
I dont suppose you would have a link?

- - - Updated - - -

OH I found it!

[BallsUnlimited]

Fishing line wont work it will cut right threw it. I see you found the link hope all works out well

[RobNJ]

Here's a link with nice step by step photos. Before you go to any extremes, try to untangle them, it could be just one twist in the cord that will come out easily. If it's REALLY twisted/knotted up, maybe better to follow the link I'm posting...

http://www.reptileradio.net/reptiler...ight=umbilicus

[mues155]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z84McnJQZWc

[cdavidson9]

Good point.. fishing line is pretty sharp.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Yes it can

This is what I have done a few week ago (THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS GRAPHIC PICS)







This year I cut clutch number 4 (Pied X Albino) within 24 hours one of the hatchling started emerging but it was obvious that there was an issue. As you can see the hatchling had a twisted umbilicus (it’s rare but it happens and if left unattended the animal dies a slow death)





He was already very weak so I decided to intervene immediately. I pulled him out of the egg (although he was already half way out) and proceeded to see if it could be untangled. As there was no possibility to untangle the umbilicus the only thing left to do was to cut the egg sac of and free him.

I went and grabbed some dental floss (without flavoring) something any breeder should have in his snake room and proceeded carefully sliding the dental floss under the umbilical cord.



Next step I tied up a knot to prevent the hatchling from bleeding out once the egg sac would be cut off.



I then proceeded to cut the egg sac off.




After the procedure I decided to leave the hatchling alone rather than feed it the yolk, he was very weak and I did not want to add unnecessary stress.

I placed him in a deli cup with some moist paper towel and put him back in the incubator to keep him nice and warm.
The next day he was still weak but improving, the day after that he had regain strength and I decided to assist feed him since he obviously had not absorbed any of his yolk.

Since than (he hatched on 06/21) he has been doing very well, he did not shed in the same times than his other siblings but took his first meal on his own when they did even though he had not had his first shed, he actually had his first shed today and so far as had 2 meals on his own.

[Homegrownscales]

Great post Deb!


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

[mues155]

Oh Deb your the coolest! Awesome post, that should be a sticky!
Thanks guys for all your help! I will give an update after I access the situation further.