sick green anaconda (update)

[rucka]

my anaconda caught RI few weeks ago. over spring break, I sent her to somebody be taken care of. No meds were used, but heat and warm bath, and it seems to have worked extremely well. Originally, it was bubbling,weezing and had mucous comming out of its nose, but now, it's symptoms are mostly gone (only occasional bubbles from nose while inside water dish) and acts completely normal.

The only problem I have now is trying to get her to eat. I used live and dead mouse which seems to get her attention because she always comes up to it and flicks her tongue alot. However, it never strikes and retreats as soon as the mouse moves toward , but comes back up to it again. After 2-3 times, she loses interest. Before she got sick(3-4), she ate a pinky and a goldfish. Could the RI have made her a problem feeder?

[slowhite03]

im no anaconda expert but shouldnt she be in a bigger setup?

[rucka]

im no anaconda expert but shouldnt she be in a bigger setup?

this is a temporary setup . It's much easier to maintain the humidity and temperature in this smaller enclosure which is important since it's recovering from RI

[Julius2314]

I would try my best to take it to a vet for meds. From what I have read that is the best way to get rid of one and better chance of it staying gone. Don't take my word for it but I do recall reading that humidity should be lowered during RI. Correct me if I am wrong.

[Squirtle]

I think vets are a rip off if your animal isn't at least close to dying, if she's recovering well from her RI by your treatment, then keep doing it. No need for a vet IMO. Gorgeous 'conda by the way, one of my dream snakes;)

[Corey209]

Try leaving a prekilled in the enclosure over night, usually an animal with RI won't eat though.

[marvelfreak]

One just leave her alone for a week or so to let her build her strength back up. She probably just isn't ready to eat just yet. Also Very important STOP feeding goldfish. Goldfish are not good for snake.

[rucka]

One just leave her alone for a week or so to let her build her strength back up. She probably just isn't ready to eat just yet. Also Very important STOP feeding goldfish. Goldfish are not good for snake.

The goldfish was intended for display... I had no idea the anaconda would eat one haha. I intend to do that. I'm keeping her in constant 90 degree and humidity at 60-70% and will try feeding her again next week

[Starbuck]

Squirtle, if your animal is close to dying, a vet visit probably won't help as it is TOO LATE. Then, when your animal dies, you blame the vet, thinking the whole experience was a 'rip-off' and they didnt know what they were doing.

YES, an unqualified, primarily dog-cat vet will not know which end of a snake is which, in most cases, and can do much more harm than good.... But a qualified exotic vet who genuinely cares about birds and lizards and snakes is the BEST option, at even a hint of a problem.
I think marvelfreak has the right idea, but do some research of your area to check who the local exotics vets are. Call zoos or rehab centers, or other vets, to see who they recommend. Its always better to be prepared.

[Squirtle]

Squirtle, if your animal is close to dying, a vet visit probably won't help as it is TOO LATE. Then, when your animal dies, you blame the vet, thinking the whole experience was a 'rip-off' and they didnt know what they were doing.

YES, an unqualified, primarily dog-cat vet will not know which end of a snake is which, in most cases, and can do much more harm than good.... But a qualified exotic vet who genuinely cares about birds and lizards and snakes is the BEST option, at even a hint of a problem.
I think marvelfreak has the right idea, but do some research of your area to check who the local exotics vets are. Call zoos or rehab centers, or other vets, to see who they recommend. Its always better to be prepared.
Why would a recovering animal need to see a vet for? Seems like a waste of time and money to me..

[Starbuck]

the OP never stated that the animal ever saw a vet, just that they 'sent it to somebody'. It is just as likely that the RI bugs could still be present and the anaconda isn't symptomatic right now. I'm not saying the snake needs to see a vet now, or even soon, just that the OP should know who they will take it to in the case it continues to not eat, or appears to get sicker.

[Hannibalcanibal]

Do you know how most diseases work? I'll use HIV as an example- it is possible for the virus to go dormant, letting the person think they are healthy, and then come back as full blown aids. I would not be suprised if a RI was similar.

See a darn vet. It'l make life easier on you and the snake.

[rucka]

the OP never stated that the animal ever saw a vet, just that they 'sent it to somebody'..
the 'somebody' works at a clinic. I paid her $100 to take care of her over the week and she said the RI was not serious enough to need baytril and that she prefers using it only as a last resort. If the RI symptoms show up again, Im gonna prob take her to the tamu vetschool and get her shots.

[moshirimon]

An RI is an infection caused by improper humidity and temperature. But I have heard of RI bugs, never experienced them though. I wouldn't compare it to HIV.. I agree , a vet trip is not necessary if things are looking better without one. I have had 3 or 4 snakes with an RI and none of them needed a vet. But it does depend on the severity. Your conda seems to be fine, keep the heat and humidity up and no touching for a week. Shell come around and eat. Also try switching to rats as soon as possible rather than mice.

[Squirtle]

An RI is an infection caused by improper humidity and temperature. But I have heard of RI bugs, never experienced them though. I wouldn't compare it to HIV.. I agree , a vet trip is not necessary if things are looking better without one. I have had 3 or 4 snakes with an RI and none of them needed a vet. But it does depend on the severity. Your conda seems to be fine, keep the heat and humidity up and no touching for a week. Shell come around and eat. Also try switching to rats as soon as possible rather than mice.

I agree with everything you just said. It'll be pretty idiotic to both, take a recovering animal to a vet when it isn't necessary, and not taking an animal with a severe virus to a vet when it clearly needs it.

[rucka]

really good news.. it ate a pinky today:)

[Squirtle]

That 'conda looks like it should be eating small rats... Not pinkies...

[DOBERMAN]

Well a little bit of nutrition is better than no nutrition at all. It wasn't taking mice as the OP had said earlier. I have been watching this thread and have the exact same feeding problem with my snake but I don't recall any RI issue with mine. Snake is just a little smaller than ruckas conda but will not eat small live mice - as explained, she gets somewhat interested, then takes a few nips or tastes with her tongue, then backs off to a corner losing interest completely. She has gone almost 2 months now and am thinking about trying pinkies to get the feeding kick started again.

[rucka]

FINALLY got her to eat a frozen mouse! SUCCESS!

[marvelfreak]

Congratulated.