View Full Version : ATB experts, please help
ReptiWoman
03-25-13, 01:19 PM
I just started fostering two ATB's, now issue is that the cages are filthy, the one is really sick (already set up a vet appointment) and both have some stuck shed. Neither of them have had any human contact in a year except for feeding. They were wild caught about 3 years ago. I feel terrible for these gals. I need to get them out of their cages so I can clean them, I would also like to soak them to get the shed off. However they are very aggressive. What is the best way for me to get these gals out of their cages and whats the best way to soak them? I am use to my calm snakes lol
Thank you!!!!
ReptiWoman
03-25-13, 02:11 PM
ohh and also would it be ok if i bathe the one with the RI? I dont know if it would harm her.
Mark Taylor
03-25-13, 02:40 PM
I would just leave them for now until you get them to the vets, then while they are already out start the cleaning. As for the stuck shed your vet may assist with that if not then see what they say to do as they sound sick and probably stressed with the move.
ReptiWoman
03-25-13, 03:41 PM
I would just leave them for now until you get them to the vets, then while they are already out start the cleaning. As for the stuck shed your vet may assist with that if not then see what they say to do as they sound sick and probably stressed with the move.
Thank you! I was thinking that as well but I wasnt sure. Just looking at the cages gross me out. Poor things :(
Personally i would get a little plastic really useful box, (or if you can't get them over there any plastic storage box), wedge in a branch so that it makes a perch across the middle, then fill the bottom with warm water, the perch is so they don't have to sit in it, but it will steam right up and be like a little sauna, which will help loosen the stuck skin so they can get it off. And it will be alright to do the same with the one with the ri, the higher humidity will thin out the mucas, allowing her to breath a little easier.
As for how to get them out, most atbs are bitey in the cage, but if you just go straight in and grab them don't tend to bite when out, there are exceptions mind, but if you are worried about them biting you, removing them with a hook, or long branch will be fine.
Corey209
03-27-13, 06:28 AM
My ATB was CB and still was cage aggressive, I recommend getting removable perches to take them out when needed but I always had to guide them out.
Not sure if it'll work for you but I would get them to start crawling onto my arm then gently rub towards the tail which made him travel further onto my arm.
ReptiWoman
03-27-13, 11:23 AM
Personally i would get a little plastic really useful box, (or if you can't get them over there any plastic storage box), wedge in a branch so that it makes a perch across the middle, then fill the bottom with warm water, the perch is so they don't have to sit in it, but it will steam right up and be like a little sauna, which will help loosen the stuck skin so they can get it off. And it will be alright to do the same with the one with the ri, the higher humidity will thin out the mucas, allowing her to breath a little easier.
As for how to get them out, most atbs are bitey in the cage, but if you just go straight in and grab them don't tend to bite when out, there are exceptions mind, but if you are worried about them biting you, removing them with a hook, or long branch will be fine.
Ohhh i like that idea! I was reading online and some said that using vegi oil or mineral oil works for really bad stuck shed. What are your opinions on that?
stephanbakir
03-27-13, 11:41 AM
The word everyone is looking for is "Defensive". Best bet would be a removable perch, then put the snake in a damp warm snake bag (use a temp gun...) for 5-10 minutes and most if not all of the shed will have come off.
millertime89
03-27-13, 12:45 PM
a removable perch is definitely best, you can make some easy to remove stuff out of small diameter PVC pipe, easy to clean and easy to remove. Gloves are going to be useful too if you want to completely avoid their teeth breaking your skin. A snake hook can also be a very useful tool. Reptile Basics has a decent selection of smaller snake hooks, I would recommend 18 or 24".
ReptiWoman
03-27-13, 01:00 PM
a removable perch is definitely best, you can make some easy to remove stuff out of small diameter PVC pipe, easy to clean and easy to remove. Gloves are going to be useful too if you want to completely avoid their teeth breaking your skin. A snake hook can also be a very useful tool. Reptile Basics has a decent selection of smaller snake hooks, I would recommend 18 or 24".
The two I am housing came with their own enclosures and I dont know how long ill have them for... however they are REALLY growing on me. I also feel that since I am putting all this effort into making them better and taking them to the vet I should be able to keep them :D
ReptiWoman
03-27-13, 01:02 PM
The word everyone is looking for is "Defensive". Best bet would be a removable perch, then put the snake in a damp warm snake bag (use a temp gun...) for 5-10 minutes and most if not all of the shed will have come off.
I heard wetting a snake bag is not good... something about the water blocking the air. Is that why you suggest only 5-10min? and I love me my temp gun! One of my best buys, I even got two just in case I need a back up lol
Ohhh i like that idea! I was reading online and some said that using vegi oil or mineral oil works for really bad stuck shed. What are your opinions on that?
I've never needed to use anything other than good old fashioned water to get off stuck sheds, i had a wc tree boa come in with 4 layers of stuck shed, put it in the rub with the water, stuck a water heater in to keep the water temps up, then left him too it for 24 hrs, then took him out put him in a nice humid viv with some pieces of bark for him to rub against and the shed just peeled off.
Corey209
03-28-13, 07:47 AM
You can get a PVC pipe cap and cut half of the wall out so the perch can be taken out at any time.
Obviously use some sort of adhesive to hold the pipe caps against the walls of your enclosure.
http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mthree/WindowsLiveWriter/Howtoaddsimpleinexpensivefeettoyourelect_D4A5/pvc-0.jpg
ReptiWoman
03-30-13, 09:42 AM
You can get a PVC pipe cap and cut half of the wall out so the perch can be taken out at any time.
Obviously use some sort of adhesive to hold the pipe caps against the walls of your enclosure.
http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mthree/WindowsLiveWriter/Howtoaddsimpleinexpensivefeettoyourelect_D4A5/pvc-0.jpg
omg you are brilliant!
ReptiWoman
03-30-13, 09:44 AM
I've never needed to use anything other than good old fashioned water to get off stuck sheds, i had a wc tree boa come in with 4 layers of stuck shed, put it in the rub with the water, stuck a water heater in to keep the water temps up, then left him too it for 24 hrs, then took him out put him in a nice humid viv with some pieces of bark for him to rub against and the shed just peeled off.
I would be scared to do that since she has a bad RI, maybe if the shed has not cleared up by the time I clear that up Ill give it a shot
I would be scared to do that since she has a bad RI, maybe if the shed has not cleared up by the time I clear that up Ill give it a shot
What does ri have to do with it? Raising the temperatures helps to raise a snakes immune system to help fight of ri's, and contrary to popular belief raising humidity actual helps snakes with ri's as it thins out the mucas, which allows the snake to breathe easier. So aslong as the temperature in the tub was warm enough for the night, and then the viv she went into was warm and humid, like their natural habitat anyway, there will be no issues with the ri.
Since your snake doesn't have 4 stubborn dried up layers of skin, a soak just over night would be fine to ease the skin off.
ReptiWoman
03-31-13, 11:48 AM
What does ri have to do with it? Raising the temperatures helps to raise a snakes immune system to help fight of ri's, and contrary to popular belief raising humidity actual helps snakes with ri's as it thins out the mucas, which allows the snake to breathe easier. So aslong as the temperature in the tub was warm enough for the night, and then the viv she went into was warm and humid, like their natural habitat anyway, there will be no issues with the ri.
Since your snake doesn't have 4 stubborn dried up layers of skin, a soak just over night would be fine to ease the skin off.
Great info! Thank you!
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