Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI

[dakski]

Really hope you get to the bottom of this with her, Is she loosing any weight or remaining the same

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She's maintained since this started, eating every 3 weeks. I started feeding at 10 days this past week instead of every 3 weeks. I hope that helps her gain strength and put some weight on.

Since there is no sign of stomach trouble or parasites, etc. per stool sample, and that she pounds her meals, I would assume she's not gaining weight because the stress and energy used on shedding is taking the calories she would normally put to weight and putting them to maintain.

I am on hold with the vet currently and will advise on that shortly. Possibly later today after I see them - assuming I get in today.

EDIT: I see the vet at noon tomorrow.

[richardhind1972]

OK look forward to hearing the results from this dave

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[WhompingWillow]

I hope the visit goes well and that you get some answers. Is the vet going to do a skin swab/culture or imaging?

[dakski]

I hope the visit goes well and that you get some answers. Is the vet going to do a skin swab/culture or imaging?

Thank you.

Potentially both. Most interested in the skin swab. That may take a few days to culture. Depending on cost I’ll consider doing imaging now for peace of mind. Otherwise, I’ll wait until the swab results before doing imaging.

I can always go back later in the week if the swab is negative for imaging.

[dakski]

Behira saw the vet today.

The short of it is that the vets (all 3 vets looked at Behira) are convinced that she is reaching sexual maturity and in human speak, having a bad puberty.

It's analogous to some people have their faces covered in pimples when they go through puberty and others you wouldn't even know.

The main vet, who owns the practice, and who saved Yafe, told me, essentially, "Good you are a caring and cautious owner, but I know a sick snake when I see one (that's all I usually see) and Behira is not a sick snake. She's eating, hasn't lost weight even given the shedding frequency and likely hormone issues, other than the redness her scales are perfect, she's having perfect sheds, perfect waste movements, and seems active, alert, and strong. Her stool sample was normal and her white blood count is as well."

She promised that she would intervene IF she stopped eating OR developed lesions etc. I asked about a swab and she said, "Where? There's no open wounds and her skin looks sealed, vibrant, and healthy."

She said the electrolyte soak made sense, IF she was dehydrated or had malnutrition. She said if I want to soak her, just use water, or a light iodine mix, but that latter was probably unnecessary.

She agreed with feeding her more often and that staying on the warm side could be hormonal as well.

For everyone's edification, they did a quick ultrasound (not expensive and not painful for Behira in any way) of her sex organs and related area and saw nothing abnormal.

I am a little conflicted, but I also respect my vet(s) tremendously. All 3 looked at her and had the same conclusion. I also circled back with Don Soderberg who was perplexed, but open minded and agreed that she wasn't acting sick in any way.

I want to be able to do something, but I also have to accept that I have done what I can RE taking her to the vet, soaking, researching etc. and maybe I just need to back off a little and give it some time and keep an eye on it.

I plan to soak her every few days, feed every 10 days, and keep an eye on her. If anything changes, I will post it here, and take her back to the vet.

I feel the visit today was cathartic in the sense that all the vets think she's doing great aside from the shedding. None of them think there is an imminent threat to her.

[richardhind1972]

That's such great news dave.
So pleased it doesn't seem to be anything untoward, let's hope her hormones sort them self out soon then


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[Craiga 01453]

Glad to hear this Dave. Thanks for keeping us up to date.

[Bogertophis]

Having a bad puberty...wow, that's a diagnosis that's hard to top. I'm glad they didn't find anything wrong, & I totally hope they're right. Who knew?

[dakski]

Having a bad puberty...wow, that's a diagnosis that's hard to top. I'm glad they didn't find anything wrong, & I totally hope they're right. Who knew?

I agree and feel the same way. I asked about other snakes not showing this and didn't get a great response, except that most owners wouldn't be as in tune as I am and probably wouldn't sweat it, etc. However, they've ruled out anything seriously wrong.

It occurred to me today that her sheds started getting closer and closer together over several months, hitting a head in the past 2 months or so. That doesn't seem consistent with a terrible infection to me, even though snakes can get sick slowly, but with the white blood count, it doesn't add up. Maybe it does make sense that she's sensitive to her hormonal change and as the hormones have ramped up, so has her shed cycle?

Frankly, I feel better knowing they cannot find anything serious, but I am also keeping a close eye. When you have a vet that says, "STOP PAYING ME! Your snake is okay," what are you supposed to do? Argue?


EDIT:

Behira's Sheds the past year.
Date					Days since last shed
2/22/19			Shed in one piece
5/31/19			Shed in one piece		98
8/29/19			Shed in one piece		90
10/15/19			Shed in one piece		47
11/23/19			Shed in one piece		39
12/15/19			Shed in one piece		22
1/2/20			Shed in one piece		18
1/21/20			Shed in one piece		19

[Bogertophis]

I guess all you can do is "wait & see" when you stand accused of being a "helicopter snarent". I can think of much worse things to be, lol.

So it's really only been the last few sheds that were so close together?