Update on mine

[SarahMB]

Well about a week and a half ago, I wasn't too confident that Trey was going to make it, to tell the truth. I've been giving him Ensure only, and it really just hasn't done much good, other than to keep him hanging on.
So this week I added some baby food to his Ensure, and tonight he seemed much livlier than he has been. He had been moving like an old man, but tonight he was zipping around, climbing all over me. So I think I'm starting to have a lot of hope with him again.
Big problem with him right now is that he has a full stuck shed. I've tried soaking him and using some ointment on him. A gew tiny strips came off of his tail, but the rest is not budging. Would the damp pillow case trick work with a seriously stuck shed like his?

Miss Elphaba is still eating every week, and has gained a bit of weight. On Monday I tried her on her first f/t, and she struck and ate it like a good girl. Wow, that was easy!
Tonight when I checked on her, I got a surprise...she's all blue! She was none to thrilled to see me, I can tell you. I just left her alone

[Ginevive]

Wow, she is eating on her own; that is awesome. I have been following yer progress and glad for this new development!

[SatanicIntention]

That's good that he is more lively. I would still try VERY hard to get Hill's Prescription Diet a/d from the vet. It will be easier on his system and he will get more from it than he will the Ensure. Ensure has lactose I believe, which may be a bit hard on his digestive system.

For a stuck shed, soak him in a small tub with lid(shoebox or smaller) that has lukewarm water that reaches about mid-body on his sides. Put snakey in tub, put tub with lid on inside enclosure on warm side, and leave him for an hour. You can do this once daily until the shed is removed. Concentrate on the tip of the tail, eyecaps and any shed that is encircling his body. If there are patches still stuck, but they aren't described by any of the above, then leave them until his next shed. They will come off then.

Have you bumped up his enclosure temps a bit? I remember them being a little on the cool side, especially that warm spot.

Congrats for getting him going. I don't know too many people with your patience and determination.

[SarahMB]

Wow, she is eating on her own; that is awesome. I have been following yer progress and glad for this new development!

Oh, no, sorry I wasn't very clear. Trey isn't eating on his own yet, but I hope he does soon. He's getting so feisty that it was really hard to feed him tonight!

Elphaba is my girl snake that I got from a good breeder, she's been eating since before I got her, and hasn't missed a meal yet.

[SarahMB]

That's good that he is more lively. I would still try VERY hard to get Hill's Prescription Diet a/d from the vet. It will be easier on his system and he will get more from it than he will the Ensure. Ensure has lactose I believe, which may be a bit hard on his digestive system.

Thanks for the reminder, Becky! I had totally forgotten that I was supposed to be getting that. The last couple of weeks have been hectic for me, and my freaky day planner ran out of months in June. I can't function without one! lol
I wonder why Trey's vet didn't give me the Hill's for him. I'm not sure how good a snake vet he is, he was just the closest to me. I might try calling a different vet.

Have you bumped up his enclosure temps a bit? I remember them being a little on the cool side, especially that warm spot.

Yes, I did bump up his temps. I think that has helped him get stronger! I also have his hummidity bumped up, since he turned blue a while back. I will try your tips for his stuck shed. I am a little concerned about what kind of stress this will cause him, but I think I'll have to chance that this time around.

Congrats for getting him going. I don't know too many people with your patience and determination.

Thank you so much for saying that, Becky. I really am trying my hardest to help him, and it's great to finally see some progress with him. I was definitely raised to be 100% responsible for any person or animal I comit to care for, so it's really just second nature to me to give it my all.
Are you still planning to teach me about probing in Arlington? My husband thinks I'm a loon for being so excited about that! haha

[mousch]

Hooray for Trey! He has to do double well!

[SarahMB]

Let's hope so, Mousch!

[frankykeno]

Oh Sarah I'm so glad to hear Trey's coming along a bit now and maybe with the addition of the Hill's will continue to improve and soon be strong enough to eat independently. It's wonderful to see your continuing dedication to this little snake. I know all of us are pulling for you and for him to come through this struggle with a positive result.

[SarahMB]

Thanks, Jo! You've been the absolute best help I could hope for

I hope that one of these days we can actually meet, too.

[frankykeno]

Well I keep hoping I'll actually get to visit the fine state of Texas someday (Becky says you have REAL cowboys LOL). Glad I could be of some small help and a bit of emotional support. As I said to you on the phone your experience with Trey, hard as it is, is such a learning curve for you and shows your amazing dedication to this little snake. As well, your having both a pet store non-eater and a well started eater from a breeder of about the same age, at the exact same time, is I bet a startling difference. Definitely something that will give you the experience to share and help others down the road.