Sometimes You Lose :-(

[Snakesitter]

I am sorry to report that Tuesday evening, following an otherwise gorgeous and sunny day in Southern California, one of Living Gems’ senior males “Hills” passed from this world.

One of the rare snakes we acquired as an adult, Hills was a pleasure to host during his brief 14 months with us, a character who had a ready hiss but never bit…

…who would climb as often and far as could (most handling sessions ended with him wrapped around someone’s head)…

…and one of the most exquisitely bright orange Brazilians I have ever had the pleasure to see.

He was a fighter to the end, valiantly enduring a color change and then an unexpected and fast-moving RI. The Baytril, unfortunately, came too late...though we tried. :-(

Hills is survived by his mate Alex, and (with luck) a litter of young Brazilians still waiting to enter this world -- who, I expect, will be some of the best little climbers the species has ever seen.

http://premium1.uploadit.org/ViaWea/FadeGene/LGR_Goodbye_Hills.jpg

Rest in peace, my friend.

[youngster]

Oh I'm sorry for your loss, it sucks losing a wonderful pet. But I bet his children will be just as wonderful if not more.

[Kayla90]

:( That's just too sad. He's adorable. I'm sorry for your loss, and wish you all the luck with the clutch.

[Snakefood]

Sorry to hear, I am sure a litter sired by him will be extraordinary!!

[candyraver69]

Very sorry to hear that, so sad :(

I hope his clutch does well for you, I bet they turn out gorgeous like him.

[SnakeyJay]

Sorry for your loss, hope you have a healthy clutch...

[stephanbakir]

Sucks man :(

[Lankyrob]

RIP Hills :(

[Snakesitter]

Oh I'm sorry for your loss, it sucks losing a wonderful pet. But I bet his children will be just as wonderful if not more.
Thank you, Youngster. I have high hopes for those little buns in the oven!

:( That's just too sad. He's adorable. I'm sorry for your loss, and wish you all the luck with the clutch.
Thank you, Kayla. He was a gorgeous specimen in his prime, and that pict -- though it's one of my favorites of Hills -- does not do his color justice.

Sorry to hear, I am sure a litter sired by him will be extraordinary!!
I have high hopes for those little climbers, Snakefood -- thanks!

Very sorry to hear that, so sad :( I hope his clutch does well for you, I bet they turn out gorgeous like him.
Thanks Candy, and I hope they do! Hills sure put extra effort into making them!

Sorry for your loss, hope you have a healthy clutch...
Thanks Jay, me too!

Sucks man :(
Agreed. :-(

RIP Hills :(
Thank you, Lankyrob.

[Gungirl]

Sorry for your loss...

[ladyjustice33]

I'm so sorry about Hills!!! He was beautiful, especially if that pic didn't do him justice cause his colors looked fantastic. Any idea what caused the RI?? Is this just something that happens? Just wondering since I have CRB's, wasn't sure if this is a common ailment for Rainbows. Any tips on what to look for to catch an RI early on?

[DeesBalls]

Sorry to hear about your loss, Hillis was an absolute GORGEOUS!! snake.

hope the clutch come out well

[Snakesitter]

Sorry for your loss...
Thank you, Kat. BTW, I like your sig pict. :-)


I'm so sorry about Hills!!! He was beautiful, especially if that pic didn't do him justice cause his colors looked fantastic. Any idea what caused the RI?? Is this just something that happens? Just wondering since I have CRB's, wasn't sure if this is a common ailment for Rainbows. Any tips on what to look for to catch an RI early on?
I was actually treating him for a minor ailment with a betadine soak. He panicked, and inhaled some of the liquid. I saw him trying to clear his jaw when I put him back in his viv, as well as bubbling slightly from the betadine. I both spoke with a vet and watched him closely over the next day or so, but the symptoms seemed to go away, and he acted fine. A few days later he ate, which usually means all is well and good. As I always do, I left him alone for the next three days to digest. When I was cleaning his viv Saturday morning, I knew something was wrong as soon as I heard him breath. It has gone past the "clicking" noise you often hear with an early-stage RI, and sounded like someone was drinking through a straw. As I do not like using drugs on my animals, I gave him one night to fix it himself, moving his hide from the temp-controlled main rainbow room (mid 70s) to my bedroom, which is in the mid-80s. The next day he still sounded bad, so I called a friend with Baytril. However, he could not meet me until the next day, which meant after work -- giving the infection another 36 hours to progress. He was seeping fluid at that point, which broke my heart. While chances were now low, I paid for the med anyway and administered it. He had enough strength to express his displeasure at the shot, and it actually seemed to help: the next day there was no more spittle, and he seemed more active, nosing around the door to his viv. I was actually looking forward to the next shot, hoping he would pull though. But the next morning he was gone, his head right by the door to his hide where I usually take him out for handling. :-(

When looking for an RI, look for bubbling or fluid from the mouth and nose, and/or an unusual noise when breathing. The "clicking" noise is the most subtle and comes early; later on it is much more obvious there is an issue.

Rainbows do not often get RIs, but when they do it seems to progress quickly and be deadly. :-(


Sorry to hear about your loss, Hillis was an absolute GORGEOUS!! snake. hope the clutch come out well
Indeed he was, and my fingers are crossed as hard as anyones!


Thank you all again,

[marvelfreak]

Cliff buddy i am so sorry to hear about Hills. He was one of the most beautiful BRB i ever seen, and one of my favorites of your BRB. Hears hoping you get a bunch of bright colorful little Hills. My heart goes out to you.

[Snakesitter]

Thanks Marvel, he was indeed a colorful fellow.

His mate Alex wandered from the heat last night long enough to take a drink, and *boy* is she swollen. A little less than one month left, by my count!

[UwabamiReptiles]

I'm really sorry to hear that. It really sucks when you lose one of your favorite guys. I really hope the litter comes through.

[Will0W783]

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. He was a handsome snake, and I'm sure his time with you was comfortable and enjoyable for him. Best of luck with the little ones- I hope they are just as wonderful as their daddy.

[Snakesitter]

Thank you, Uwabami and Kimberly. Hills was a great character and an amazingly colorful snake. If all (continues to) go well, I look forward to meeting his 2-35 kids soon!