Make sure your bredli is well fed!

[John962]

I haven't fed my bredli for 5 weeks as I've been on holiday. Anyway, I got him out tonight and he bit and hung on. I had to hold him under the cold water tap for a few minutes until he let go and there is a nasty looking bulge near my wrist! I've washed the wound and it's not bleeding now. Should I do anything else? Cheers

[RAD House]

First I would recommend not making your snake go five weeks without food. Second just make sure to clean it well and keep it clean.

[Ian of Oldham]

if you was not feed for five weeks you may bit at something and if you did not get any visits for some time it will al so have a big affect on your mental state. so get someone to pop in next time you have to leave him.

2 Royals 1 corn 1Boa and a mad Cat with 1 Hog on its way

[John962]

He normally feeds every 4 weeks. Anyway, I was at the accident and emergency for 5 hours. They cleaned the wound, did an x-ray, took blood tests, gave me a tetanus jab, antibiotics and even an ECG! I'll go back to feeding him every 3 weeks.

[PatrickT]

Originally Posted by John962

He normally feeds every 4 weeks. Anyway, I was at the accident and emergency for 5 hours. They cleaned the wound, did an x-ray, took blood tests, gave me a tetanus jab, antibiotics and even an ECG! I'll go back to feeding him every 3 weeks.

evry 4 weeks?

Thats animal abuse...

[John962]

Originally Posted by PatrickT

evry 4 weeks?

Thats animal abuse...

Check out the thread 'how often to feed?'

[gebon]

I got a tetanus jab last year. The protection lasts at least for ten years. As snake owner it can be wise to have a good protection against tetanus. Tetanus is a very serious disease and can be fatal. In the treatment of an injury it's common to get antibiotic and immunoglobulin. This acts as an antidote. A first tetanus vaccination at the time of the injury will not provide protection for the current injury, but is a preventive measure for future protection.

[sirtalis]

Dang... 4 weeks, I'd personally feed every 1-2 weeks...

[Andy_G]

NOT enough information to be screaming "animal abuse" here, people. For an adult Bredli, every 2 to 3 weeks would appropriate depending on the size of the meal...every 4 weeks is stretching it IMO but STILL is not "abuse" if it's very large meals. If it's not an adult yet...you simply aren't feeding it enough. Not having anyone drop in would be beneficial to it's "mental state" so having someone come by for "company" is not a problem that would arise...these animals don't crave attention or interaction unless you're a member of the opposite sex at the right time of year...but someone should've definitely been by to change water and feed in your absense. Perhaps something to consider for the future.

[RAD House]

I don't think anyone is screaming animal abuse just making suggestions based on the posts. Will the animal die by going for five weeks with out food? It is very unlikely. Should a snake be left to its own for five weeks? I would say no.

[Ian of Oldham]

I don't recall anyone suggesting any form of abuse, but just pointing out that if you have snake then you chose the snake and not the other way round

[valkea]

Originally Posted by PatrickT

evry 4 weeks?

Thats animal abuse...

This person said it's abuse, that seems to be why Andy posted what he did. Which I agree with (Andy that is)

[Andy_G]

Originally Posted by PatrickT

evry 4 weeks?

Thats animal abuse...

Meso/Ian...

[John962]

The snake had its water changed every 2 or 3 days during this period. It's a 4 year old male bredli. It eats large defrosted rats. Im sure it hasnt suffered during this period, other than going a bit hungry. As I said, I will make sure it doesn't go hungry in future. - I do not want to repeat spending all night at the hospital.

What surprised me about this experience is the power of a bredli bite.

[RAD House]

Originally Posted by Andy_G

Meso/Ian...

You are right and I apologize. I think sometimes I glaze over the less than helpful posts.