bad owner=We got a new snake with problems

[Missina]

So how often do you find yourself coming home to a snake you never saw befor resting on your counter in a tub of water? thats what I found today when I got home. a very skinny, very dehydrated, ~2ft long ball python. HIs eyes are clear and his mouth is very clean and has good color. But I did find 2 little stab wounds on his belly about 2 or so inchs above his anus. They look clean and as though they were over a week old. His backbone is showing so it makes me think that whoever has him befor losing im in an army recurting office 2 weeks before, has not been treating him very well. The owner never came forward to look for his snake, nor did he leave a name or number of were to contack him at if the snake was recovered.
after letting the little guy drink his fill and rest in the water for about 1/2hr we took him out and placed him in a feeding cage that we use to use on our red tail. We gave him a fuzzy mouse and he ignors it. it took moving the fuzzy with tongs untill he would even tast it with his tonge. The really bad thing is that the vet who deals with reptiles is not in tonight so I have to wait untill later tomorrow afternoon to get this guy into a vet. we had a friend who sold us our red tail look at him, and he really does not think the little guy will survive.
does anyone have any suggestions on what we can do to help this little guy threw untill we can get him to the vet?

also another question, our red tail is about 3 feet, if this little guy does live what are the chances of being able to keep him with the red tail? there is a size of a foot or so and right now I would deffently say no because he has not been cheaked for parasites and the like and he is so skinny our red tail would probably flatten him. but Im not sure how red tails get along with other snakes because well, we never played to get another snake.

thank you for the help ahead of time!

Missina
http://www.missina.cjb.net/

[Shaun J]

It's never a good idea to keep two snakes together. Even if it's the same species. There can be cannabalism and lots of other problems down the road. Snakes are solitary creatures in captivity and should kept that way unless breeding them.

Just put the Ball Python in a tank, or rubbermaid bin with holes for ventilation, two hiding spots. (You could probably just make those yourself),water bowl and a heat source. Make sure the temperature in the enclosure is 90-95 on the hot side, and about 79-85 on the cool side.Also make sure the humidity is 50-60% Don't use those stick on thermometers or those dial thermometers or hygrometers because those can be waaaaaay off. These are the best way to watch temperature humidity to me.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...7GT&lpage=none

Leave him alone after the vet's visit for a week (unless the vet tells you to feed him soon or something), so he can get use to his new home. Then after that week, feed him. ( Again, unless the vet tells you otherwise.)


Good luck and have fun once he gets better. I love ball pythons.

[recycling goddess]

i have three very important words for you:

quarantine quarantine quarantine!

it is vital you keep them apart... if possible, not in the same room of the house. it would be horrible if your beloved red tail gets sick because of your desire to rescue this ball.

i hope the vet can assist you both.

[Lady Python]

I have a rescue BP who was in a similar state when he was rescued. It took a lot of patience from the rescuers to get him eating again and even when I gave him a home you could see his backbone and he was very triangular. It didn't take long for him to put on weight and he is now a very healthy, handsome snake with a sweet temperament.


As others have said keep him separate from your RTB and keep him quarantined. At the very least, he could have mites - and these spread like wildfire. Good vet care, good food and a lot of TLC can and does work wonders.

Well done for giving him a loving home and a chance to recover. I really hope he gets better for you.

[_BoidFinatic_]

Any news from the vet ?