Update on my sick Viper Boa...

[Monty Python]

Well, I was in the Vet this afternoon. As I had assumed, she had a pretty nasty upper respiratory infection. She was also very dehydrated. Both of these conditions were already set in when I had bought her from Prehistoric Pets / Jurassic Parties.com in southern California. They sold me a sick snake for $200, which needed a $200 Vet visit less than 2 weeks after purchasing.

She was given warm multivitamin solution injections to help with her hydration, and I am also giving her Baytril injections (.2/ml) once a day for 5 days for the infection, then she is going in for a recheck to see how she's doing on Friday. Hopefully things won't get any worse. I will also be contacting the store over the weekend to complain and to try and get them to pay for the Vet bill...or at least their share of it. Before long they would have had a dead snake on their hands. Thank goodness we bought her when we did. :(

[Linds]

Good luck with her treatments, I hope they are successful and she makes a full recovery :) However, one thing puzzles me, in this post you mention that she was sick from the get go "They sold me a sick snake for $200", yet in your previous post (3 days ago) you said you had only noticed symptoms within the last 2 days....... :confused:

[marisa]

Monty Python I am glad that you are willing to pay for this animals care.

I read the BOI on fauna often. And recently there was a discussion about this company. For starters I believe there are TWO Prehistoric Pets. One has an very good reputation, and, according to the Fauna BOI, the other has a very NASTY reputation.

I am not sure if this will help you but I'd thought I would mention it. I don't know if you are at fault, they are, or no one.....but maybe having a look over there at the Fauna BOI will help you somehow.

Good luck. I hope your snake gets well soon.
Marisa

[Monty Python]

LINDS...

Well, the *cold* symptoms had only been for the past few days...but visually and temperament-wise (stuff the Vet picked up on quickly), she was not very well. I was kind of led to believe she was fine at the time of purchase, thinking that the temperament was "normal" (she was almost lethargic...) and that maybe the reason her topside scales were worn down, split open and colorless compared to her underside was just from "rubbing up against something" (she was severely dehydrated).

So basically, her condition worsened as far as the cold goes after I got her, but she was well on her way downhill the day I brought her home...I just didn't know it until it was too late.

MARISA...

I wonder which one this store is. I think they mean well...but they have literally hundreds of reptiles there...and even though most of their staff and volunteers have basic reptile knowledge, I am quickly realizing that a store that size simply does NOT have the means to give these creatures the individual care they need and deserve.

Case in point...when I brought home Polunu, I didn't know how much different her temp/humidity needs were compared to, say, a BP or a King (my other 2). I learned that night that the Viper Boa requires very high humidity and very high temps...then I pictured her little tank cubby at the store, and realized there was nothing in there for moisture but a water bowl, and the temps were very mild in there. This is a special breed that requires different conditions than many other snakes, and she just wasn't getting what she needed...she was just "one of the bunch" and it seems they are all given the same "generic" care/tanks.

Thanks guys...she is at least moving a little now. I felt so bad giving her that shot, and she has 4 more to go! I'll let you know what happens.

[Mr. Maggot]

The Prehitoric Pets that I know of has a good reputation, and is owned by a coupla good football starts!

Good luck with your boa :)

[Linds]

Mr. Maggot,
Are you sure you aren't thinking of Pro Exotics? ;)

[J_Riley]

You might consider cutting her water with pedilyte (50/50) to help with fluid therapy, since the Baytril will contribute to more dehydration.

I'd bet next month's paycheck s/he's w/c and probably has parasites of one type of another as well...

[Monty Python]

Yeah, candoias are renown for parasites. I'm not sure if she was wild-caught or not. I was told she had been in the store for 2 years...however, we have been regular visitors there for a year, and I had NEVER seen her before. I think they pushed her sale carefully like a car salesman would. I am waiting until today's vet visit, then contacting the store's management.

My g/f went in to buy feeders last night and mentioned the situation to an employee, and the employee kept asking, "Why didn't you bring her back?"

Well, my g/f didn't know how to reply. I thought of two good reasons.

First, the snake was well beyond what the store would have been able to do. She needed immediate attention and medication. They would have most likely put her back in the same place she was and let her sit.

And second...knowing that she wasn't kept properly as far as temps and humidity are concerned...would YOU bring a sick animal that YOU cared about, to a place where you KNOW she wasn't cared for properly to begin with? I sure wouldn't. That's why she went to the DVM instead.

I'll let you know what the Doc says after today's checkup.

[Monty Python]

Well, saw the Vet again today. But a different one than last time. She seems like she has more energy after the fluids/vitamin injection, and she is starting to show a little more color (instead of just dead scales.)

We tube fed her 30cc today, and gave her another fluid/vitamin injection. No regurge, so I think this will help her energy level more. Also was given something to stimulate her appetite. And I was told to use ChapStick on her dried out skin. She's quite a chore right now, but I am enjoying taking care of her and hopeful of a full recovery!

[Burmies]

I hope your snake makes a full recovery soon and has no remaining affects from being sick.

Burmies

[djnzlab]

Hi,
Did your vet reccomend raising the temps a bit and lowering the humidtiy for a short while. SNakes have a terrible time with secretion in the RI tract and almost drown if not controlled. My vet told me when I had a sick Python to increase temps a couple degrees, he says it enhances the antiobiotic effect..
Good luck doug