Shed and the Vet

[Xo'Phoeah]

This might be a dumb question. I recently bought a young normal BP from a local petstore (wonderful people who had gotten him from a local breeder). Anyway, I have to fill out an application with Animal Control for an exotic animal permit. No big deal. I have 10 days to do it, but they sounded like they'd be flexible as long as they could tell I was working on it. One of the things I have to include is the name and address of the vet that certified my snake was healthy. This is also not a big deal, because I'd love to know the gender of my little guy (even though I already decided on his name!) Also, someone suggested that he may have some RI issues since he had his mouth slightly open in a few pictures. He didn't/doesn't have any other symptoms (in fact, he's sleeping on his head right now), but I'm sure I'd feel better knowing he was ok.

The question I have is this. He's going through a shed right now. I have no idea how much longer it's going to last. I'm pretty sure he's on at least day 7, but I've been pretty much leaving him alone. So, should I wait until he's done with the shed before I call the vet or is it ok to take him now? I don't want to put off the application too long because I know I'll just forget about doing it, but I also don't want to stress him out too much. Would you wait?

If it helps, a trip to the vet will take at least 2 hours just in the car, so it won't just be a quick little trip.

As always:

Cool Side 75ish
Warm Side 90-97
Humidity 70%
Substrate Cardboard
Hides identical - one on each side. He loves them and moves back and forth throughout the day.
Other he has a rough rock-thing and a large waterbowl. I've never seen him in the waterbowl. He also gets spritzed once or twice a day.
Enclosure glass
Everything is checked by digital thermometers one of which also measures humidity.

[casperca]

I would wait until he has completed the shed before taking him. Sounds like he's close anyway.

Another note, I would bump the cool side up to the 80-82 range. Also, if your hot side gets above 94 at any time you are running the risk of burning your snake or causing it brain damage. A temporary solution would be a dimmer switch on whatever is heating the hot side until you can get a thermostat on there. Ideally, your temps shouldn't fluctuate.

[Xo'Phoeah]

I would wait until he has completed the shed before taking him. Sounds like he's close anyway.

Another note, I would bump the cool side up to the 80-82 range. Also, if your hot side gets above 94 at any time you are running the risk of burning your snake or causing it brain damage. A temporary solution would be a dimmer switch on whatever is heating the hot side until you can get a thermostat on there. Ideally, your temps shouldn't fluctuate.

The cool side we've been working on. It's been very difficult to get it even to 75. Right now I have a normal light on that side (only during the day) and that seems to be helping without hurting the humidity.

As for the warm side, the only time it fluctuates is when he's in it. I don't know if that makes sense since he isn't making his own body heat, but that's when it goes up.

I know I need to get some better equiptment and it'll be on its way once I get paid next week. He'll also be spending most of his life at school in a room that's much warmer and more humid than my home, so that'll help a lot!

[spaceturtle]

I have two tubs that are set up identical in every way, with the exception one has 3inches of aspen and the other one just has paper towels. The one with the aspen gets slightly hotter (maybe 5 degrees or so) than the paper towel one.

I think the idea here is that when you put stuff on the surface of the tub, whether it be a snake or lots of bedding, then you have something to absord and retain heat, thus making the temps go higher.

So I think that is why your temps fluctuate when the snake around.

[casperca]

[QUOTE=Xo'Phoeah;840412]The cool side we've been working on. It's been very difficult to get it even to 75. Right now I have a normal light on that side (only during the day) and that seems to be helping without hurting the humidity.
[QUOTE]

When I used glass tanks, I found it helpful to cover three sides with that 3/4 inch pink foam insulation sheeting. It really helps to keep the temps up. You may want to try that.

[TanyaL]

This might be a dumb question. I recently bought a young normal BP from a local petstore (wonderful people who had gotten him from a local breeder). Anyway, I have to fill out an application with Animal Control for an exotic animal permit. No big deal. I have 10 days to do it, but they sounded like they'd be flexible as long as they could tell I was working on it. One of the things I have to include is the name and address of the vet that certified my snake was healthy. This is also not a big deal, because I'd love to know the gender of my little guy (even though I already decided on his name!) Also, someone suggested that he may have some RI issues since he had his mouth slightly open in a few pictures. He didn't/doesn't have any other symptoms (in fact, he's sleeping on his head right now), but I'm sure I'd feel better knowing he was ok.

The question I have is this. He's going through a shed right now. I have no idea how much longer it's going to last. I'm pretty sure he's on at least day 7, but I've been pretty much leaving him alone. So, should I wait until he's done with the shed before I call the vet or is it ok to take him now? I don't want to put off the application too long because I know I'll just forget about doing it, but I also don't want to stress him out too much. Would you wait?

If it helps, a trip to the vet will take at least 2 hours just in the car, so it won't just be a quick little trip.

As always:

Cool Side 75ish
Warm Side 90-97
Humidity 70%
Substrate Cardboard
Hides identical - one on each side. He loves them and moves back and forth throughout the day.
Other he has a rough rock-thing and a large waterbowl. I've never seen him in the waterbowl. He also gets spritzed once or twice a day.
Enclosure glass
Everything is checked by digital thermometers one of which also measures humidity.

Where are you from? How long ago did you buy this little guy? I'm just asking because I was told that I would need a permit for our bp but turned out that they were wrong.

Shouldn't it be the responsibility of the pet store to certifiy that he is healthy which obviously it doesn't sound like he is since you mention he has a possible RI. Did they offer some type of health guarantee? I don't know all that much about RI but as for taking him to the vet, maybe if you called them they can advise you if you should wait until after the shed or bring him in now. Sure they are pissy when they are in shed but it's not like you would be taking him on a car ride for the heck of it. Know what I mean? I think it was mentioned that the longer an RI goes untreated the worse it can get and the harder it will be to treat him, but don't quote me on that because I could be wrong.

As for the temps, how about getting a red bulb that you can leave on 24/7? That's what I have to do to maintain my temps. Sure it kills the humidity but a few spritzes takes care of that. Also, like somebody else mentioned, covering 3 sides helped as well.

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck! And, your question wasn't dumb!

[Xo'Phoeah]

Where are you from? How long ago did you buy this little guy? I'm just asking because I was told that I would need a permit for our bp but turned out that they were wrong.
Shouldn't it be the responsibility of the pet store to certifiy that he is healthy which obviously it doesn't sound like he is since you mention he has a possible RI. Did they offer some type of health guarantee? I don't know all that much about RI but as for taking him to the vet, maybe if you called them they can advise you if you should wait until after the shed or bring him in now. Sure they are pissy when they are in shed but it's not like you would be taking him on a car ride for the heck of it. Know what I mean? I think it was mentioned that the longer an RI goes untreated the worse it can get and the harder it will be to treat him, but don't quote me on that because I could be wrong.

As for the temps, how about getting a red bulb that you can leave on 24/7? That's what I have to do to maintain my temps. Sure it kills the humidity but a few spritzes takes care of that. Also, like somebody else mentioned, covering 3 sides helped as well.

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck! And, your question wasn't dumb!

I'm in VA. I called animal control and they dropped off our codes and it looks like we do need one. It's unfortunate how...comprehensive it is, but I guess I better do this right if I'm taking him to school with me (I teach 7th grade). Good role model and all.

Today, his eyes are clear though he hasn't shed yet. He was in a really good mood and let us hold him for a while. He seemed to like to cuddle (read: he didn't bite anyone).

I think I will go with the ceramic/red light or something. My temps are up today (we turned down the AC because it's a little less humid out), but I still think they could be better. Plus, I need to turn down the UTH and then I think the cage will get really cold. We have to head that way tomorrow anyway and we're going to need more mice.

As far as the vet goes, I think I'll take him in a day or two. I'd feel better knowing that he is fine and I'm really curious about the gender. If there is an issue, I'll get in touch with the pet store. They're very new, but super nice. I don't know that they'd pay for the visit (or that I'd even ask them to, since I have to have it done anyway) but they should at least know.

Thanks for all your thoughts on this. It's nice to hear some experienced opinions!