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 #2087307


TheSurfer
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 NEED HELP FAST!!

so in my previous post, I wrote about getting a red tail. well, I started talking with this guy today and he said he would give me his. he apparently had it for a month, and the previous owner for 3 years. well, it has really bad shed retained on it’s head. I had to take off the pieces covering the nostrils. and it has minor mucus from the nostrils, like a small dot. It was ice cold when i got it, and he said his heating lamp stopped working a few days ago. I HAD TO TAKE IT, b/c it would definitely die in his hands. I’m in the process of getting his new tank set up. he’s in a temp one with good heat right now. Are there any meds I can get for it. It moves slow(prob b/c it’s ice cold), but it is still super strong. and a bit on the skinny side. I’ll get pics up soon. thanks,
Will
10/22/09  12:05am

 #2087324


TheSurfer
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   Message To: TheSurfer   In reference to Message Id: 2087307


 NEED HELP FAST!!

here are some pics. I have noticed the mucus from the nostrils has stopped. . .at least for now. he’s now in 40g tank. I know some of the tricks for removing the shed, but should I wait and see if it has an RI?? I would think increasing the humidity to shed %’s would increase the symptoms, but that is all assumptions. Thanks again.
Will



10/22/09  01:16am

 #2087326


Fairy Frog Mother
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   Message To: TheSurfer   In reference to Message Id: 2087307


 NEED HELP FAST!!

As Ive said, its best to do research before...but sometimes a rescue lands in your lap. Welcome to the wonderful world of animal rescue. You too are now the proud owner of a baby who has been neglected, abused or just plain victim of a well meaning but ignorant previous owner.

Number one- and two. Heat Heat Humidity, humidity!
Get it in a tank with an under tank heater on one side. Put paper towels down as substrate, 5-6 layers thick- mist it well daily with hot water. By the time the water hits the snake it will be cool, but wont drop the temps in the tank as badly. Moss hide!...line the floor area of a snake hide with moss that has been soaking in warm water and lightly wrung out. Put clear pedialyte in its water dish 50/50. -It should be big enough for it to soak in as well. If you don’t have a bowl that big, it will need a bath in lukewarm water daily to help that shedding! If you are using a screen top for it, be sure you cover 2/3rds of the top, leaving a place just wide enough for a heat lamp and a little ventilation. This will help you keep humidity in.

Once you are certain it does not have Mites, you can use ecoearth (or whatever brand cocoa fiber you have locally, soak the brick in 4 quarts of hot tap water, then drain out excess water. You want it like a well wrung out sponge.- Or Reptibark, or Cyprus mulch. Id stay away from aspen or newspaper bedding because both can be dusty. After the RI clears, aspen would be fine if you can keep up the Humidity with it. No Cedar or Pine shavings!! Or Sand. Sand bad bad bad for boas( and most snakes). Clay and sand makes cement. Poop is alot like clay. You figure it out....Yup. Impaction.

The vet you will bring it to for its (possible) Respiratory infection ( and catch it now cause it gets any worse she will most likely need VERY EXPENSIVE treatment. At this point, she prolly will need a visit and some antibiotics. If it gets worse, she could need IVs and more intensive treatment.)will probably have other advice for you as well. Im NOT a vet. Just have rescue experience. Catch an RI early for best prognosis! You were right to get it out of there and get it warm. Think of it this way. You just adopted a snake with bronchitis, which could be turning into pneumonia. On top of it, It’s dehydrated (Stuck shed is a symptom of too low of humidity in the enclosure. This means your snake is dehydrated, thus the pedialyte to boost the electrolites in the drinking water! That and warm baths once a day for at least ten, up to 20 minutes should get it hydrated again. Just sit in there with it and have the water just slightly deeper than the fattest part of It’s body. Test the water before you put it in there. Should feel like baby bath water. The vet will weigh the snake and know which type of antibiotic is needed based on the exam and possibly a blood draw. Paper towels are best as substrate for the first week or two so you can easily see if there are any mites. Google Snake mites for more info there.

Don’t worry about food for a couple of days, but do be sure to get it into a vet as soon as possible. Let it acclimate. Do try to get a little bit of a gradient in its tank so it can thermoregulate. 89 warm side, 82 cold side- and up to 60% humidity. (it can go down to 50% but I would bump it up slightly because of the stuck shed and RI- during shed this should be bumped up closer to 70%, but you dont want to keep it up that high all the time or they can get fungal skin infections.) Then in about 5 days or a week, see if it will take a meal the same size around as the widest part of the snakes body.


IF!!! the snake poops before you get to the vet, save a sample in a plastic baggie. Then you can also have it tested for parasites.

Shopping List:
Clear Pedialyte (baby medicine aisle)
Under Tank Heater (Or...human heating pad put under one side of the tank set on low or med)
Water dish large enough for entire snake to soak ( New Catbox, never used- pet aisle- or Rubbermaid storage boxes, or great dane sized no tip dog water bowl)
Empty Misting bottle (plant misters work great)
Paper Towels
Digital Hydrometer, and Thermometer. ( 2 ideally, one hot side, one cold side for Thermometer)
Barbeque tongs ( for feeding the rat and grabbing by tail)

*WHEW*
Good luck. You’re doing a very good thing for this animal. Once you get it well, it may well live another 15 -25 years in your care, because finally its got someone willing to learn how to take care of it right.



10/22/09  01:24am

 #2087327


Fairy Frog Mother
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   Message To: Fairy Frog Mother   In reference to Message Id: 2087326


 NEED HELP FAST!!

Ok I posted this before you got the pictures up.

Your set up is perfect. You dont need to change that. Paper towels are easier to see mites on, but...well that is one dry snake! Mist and bath and pedialyte!

I do not think it will increase its RI symptoms to be properly hydrated. Dont go over 70%, but that snake has been cold and dehydrated a while. The skin needs to come off. It needs to have its electrolytes boosted to help it fight the RI. The warm water will really help warm it up. Just test the water so you dont burn the snake. Luke warm- like a babys bath.
10/22/09  01:32am

 #2087329


Fairy Frog Mother
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   Message To: Fairy Frog Mother   In reference to Message Id: 2087327


 NEED HELP FAST!!

Compare your snakes skin texture and quality to the post I put up of Laeldril.
see how shiny she looks? Now mind you that was taken right after a shed...but even when shes in full shed, her skin looks more moist and supple. She gets a shower ( because we dont have a bathtub!) once a week at most. Her enclosure is spot on though for humidity.

The first shed she (and her brother) had for me was in horrid patches. She had been a little dry and got stressed on the car ride here (1 hour car ride). Second shed both had was perfect, and has been ever since!

You have a good eye for seeing the number one health problems that some people just ignore.
I think you will be a fantastic boa owner. The snake could be far worse off. You wanna see some fine snake rescue story, read Edel’s story with Uma the Brazillian Rainbow Boa. Such a sad and beautiful tale. Edel (With a little help from CP) has/ve really turned that snakes life around. Ive seen snakes in worse conditions than yours make astounding recoveries.




10/22/09  01:43am

 #2087330


TheSurfer
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   Message To: Fairy Frog Mother   In reference to Message Id: 2087326


 NEED HELP FAST!!

WOW, thank you soooo much. It’s funny, I have been doing research on these for a few weeks now. even sent a post a few days ago about more info. The set up she is currently in is a 40g with uth under the warm side set for 90F, the cool side is warming up to 80F as I type. The humidity is about 55% right now with only the water bowl in, and plexiglass covering 2/3 of the screen. I’m fresh out of paper towels, but have newspaper in there right now. Will get those tomorrow. Very interesting about the pedialyte, never would have thought about it. Will start humid hide tonight with cloth towels, then switch to moss tomorrow. Should I give it a bath tonight?? I’m getting a large enough soaking bowl tomorrow also. I do not have a heat lamp, but have an extra 40-50g size uth on top of the plexiglass to help with the ambient temp. oh, also have digital hydrometers and thermometers on both sides to get readings. and laser temp gun too. Thanks again, that helps a lot!!! And just to make sure i’ve got this right, increasing the humidity even if it does have an RI is ok??
Will
10/22/09  01:46am

 #2087331


Fairy Frog Mother
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   Message To: Fairy Frog Mother   In reference to Message Id: 2087329


 NEED HELP FAST!!

That is not a hot rock is it- just a second hide? Hot Rocks are evil things unless you want snake barbeque for dinner. If its a hide, no worries. Its late for me and Im tiiiiired.



10/22/09  01:47am

 #2087332


Fairy Frog Mother
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   Message To: Fairy Frog Mother   In reference to Message Id: 2087331


 NEED HELP FAST!!

55% is good. Those are good temps...just hold em there. Newspaper is just fine, and the right price. Paper towels are handy in that they are white and easy to see movement on, but a careful eye can see it on newsprint too.

I think you’ve got things right. I learned about pedialyte my first month here from someone else, AND from my sister who does Native California Wildlife Rescue. Just avoid the flavored ones. Plain clear...and diluted 50/50 with water.

And if your vet gives you advice other than this, of course listen to em. But this is what Ive been taught by vets and other herp folks.



10/22/09  01:53am

 #2087333


TheSurfer
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   Message To: Fairy Frog Mother   In reference to Message Id: 2087332


 NEED HELP FAST!!

right on, you’ve been SUPER helpful. I’m going to let it soak in the tub right now for about 15-20 min. Oh, and that is a hide. no hot rocks here. lol. I’ll definitely keep posting as time goes on and let you know how things go. So, things I’m buying tomorrow: pedialyte, large tub to soak, mist bottle, and paper towels. Thanks again for all your help!!
Will
10/22/09  02:04am

 #2087334


TheSurfer
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   Message To: TheSurfer   In reference to Message Id: 2087333


 NEED HELP FAST!!

and by the way, Lael looks amazing!!! Colors are beautiful!!!
10/22/09  02:06am

 #2087425


Fairy Frog Mother
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   Message To: TheSurfer   In reference to Message Id: 2087334


 NEED HELP FAST!!

Not bad for a "Free" snake. *winks* she was actually in really good condition when I got her, just stressed out from the journey. Changing homes can be really stressful on a snake, but with proper care they do adapt.

I look forward to yours getting better. Im sure S/he will be a stunning creature once in your care a while, because it will have good husbandry if nothing else!



10/22/09  10:20am

 #2087442


TheSurfer
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   Message To: Fairy Frog Mother   In reference to Message Id: 2087425


 NEED HELP FAST!!

yeah, definitely not bad.
Well, I gave her a bath last night so she would not only benefit from the hydration, but to warm up faster. she was really active in the tub, and move around when I set her on the floor. She just doesn’t move very much in the cage. I haven’t noticed any more liquid coming from her nostrils. I did open her mouth last night to check, and only saw mild saliva. I’ve never had a boa before, only BP’s, so not sure how much they are supposed to have, but nothing out of the usual. she breathes normal, but have noticed some times only when she exhales, it makes a sound. The best I can describe is if you make a small opening with your mouth and have your bottom teeth cover the hole slightly. then exhale a full lung full of air, that’s what it sounds like to me. But doesn’t do it always. Oh, and I should have her in a seperate room away from my BP’s right?? Would one night hurt?? It was super late last night and I didn’t have room anywhere else. I’m moving her right now.
Will
10/22/09  11:11am


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