Getting better or not????????

VI Reptiles · 01-04-05, 10:47 PM

Hi, Yes, yes i know im really stupid and you can hardly stand me anymore because im asking so many questions and and im having a hard time.

Well, My snake had a good shed last night and his old ratty tatty dead scales came off. They were looking really bad but im glad he had a nice shed. Now, the place were he had his scale rot was pinkish after he shed and now its like brown again. Im not sure if I should still be worried or if you guys think the bacteria died? Hes been in to the vet every second day for 2 weeks for a a shot of Baytril and is going to the reptile vet on saturday. Im getting scared again....... What do you think????????

Thanks

zero&stich · 01-04-05, 11:03 PM

Someone who has a degree in herpotology would be more fit to make that call judgin from the condition of the animal. But shedding is a good sign. A very good one, imo.

I don't see any point on skipping a vet appointment unless a trusting and qualfied vet can give the O.K.

Btw, no question is stupid. However there are some whom felt that your actions was to only make a profit of an animal(geckos) to buy another high end morph, when in the beginning it seemed you were not taking proper care of your snake by providing it with its ideal conditions. I was one of these individuals but I bit my lower lip and held back.

I see now, this isn't totally the case as you are trying your best to cure the snake of its illness. I've seen so many that give up and pass on the sick animal to someone else. In your situation, this isn't the case. So, VI, to sum this all up. Congradulations on trying to fix a mistake that probably could have been prevented early on but least you're learning a valuable lesson, a hard one. I know but I'm pleased to see you won't give up on your friend and refuse to pass on the burden of a sick animal to someone else.

That shows to some degree some integrity.

Regardless of what anyone says.

CHRISANDBOIDS14 · 01-04-05, 11:05 PM

......pink after he shed, then brown? The scale rot is obviously not gone......and its gonna take several sheds before its looking good again. Believe me.....I've seen it first hand on a snake I've bought. I would suggest putting polysporin on the belly(talk to your vet first to see it that affects the baytril treament), or something I think is called Benadine(sp?).

C.

BoidKeeper · 01-05-05, 04:43 AM

Baytril is not hard to inject. The vet must be making a mint off of you. Ask your Dad to get the vet to show him how to do it then buy the baytril from the vet and the needles and do it yourself. I just treated a chondro with baytril and my vet would never dream of me having to pack up the snake every two days. The stress alone on your snake is enough to keep it sick.
Cheers,
Trevor

VI Reptiles · 01-05-05, 05:12 PM

Zero&stich, I am really trying to keep this guy alive and Iv had to walk down with the snake in a bucket personally get the shot and walk back. I really hope in the end he wont die and all the money and time I put into this snake doesnt just go to waste trying to save a snake that died in the end.

Chrisandboids14, I have been putting polysporin on the snakes belly pretty much since it started and im not sure if this is doing nothing. I think your thinking of betadine. I have used it a couple times but im not sure if it really helped.

Boidkeeper, They have made atleast $150 off me

Alot for a 14 yr old to take on. Now for my dad. Im VERY sure he would never do that because first of all he hates the idea of my having reptiles and he says why waste more then the snake is worth so he definatley wouldnt do it. Do you really think it could stress it enough it wouldnt leave?

Thanks for not jumping on me!

pinoiballer01 · 01-05-05, 05:53 PM

VI i will agree with boidkeeper because the vet i took my bp gave me the baytril and some injections and taught me how to do it. its not hard at all but u need somebody strong enough to hold the snake when you give tha injections. this forum taught me a lot about being a good owner. them jumping on you just proves how they love their pets. i didnt like what they post sometimes but most of them are right. hope everything works for you. gud luck

road_dawg_30 · 01-05-05, 06:45 PM

I speak from personal experience. I bought a ball Dec. of 2003. I got him home, two weeks later I noticed ticks, I took him to a vet, they gave him some oral med. I took him back two months later because he wouldn't eat. the vet said it was because he was going to shed. Over a month later Monty hadn't shed and I found a new vet. Jessica, my new vet, treated him for bacterial and internal parasite infections. Took Monty home...he ate once and went back off his feed. Carried him back to the vet... she put him to sleep to draw blood and found he had a blood borne illness. Every since then anytime he sheds his imune system lowers. He has become cronic with the infections and seems to be anorexic to boot. I still have Monty. He is a beautiful snake and I figure we have been through alot together. He is off his feed again, I am hoping it is because of the cold weather we are having as my other ball is as well. I have become a firm believer that not all vets are adapt at dealing with snakes. Perhaps you ought to find another vet by phone and discuss the problems you are having. Jessica put Monty on medication several times. She has always shown me how to administer the medication. In my opinion any vet that is actually concerned with your pet would. If they don't they are only after you pocketbook.

VI Reptiles · 01-05-05, 07:23 PM

As of now, I believe ball pythons are not as easy to care for as people think. I should have got a rosy boa or a sand boa

BoidKeeper · 01-05-05, 07:33 PM

If nothing else I hope this thread serves as an example of why it is so important to only buy balls from breeders directly. This is what happens when you buy a ball out of a pet shop.
VI,
Yes moving snakes is stressfull on them. I never move them unless I have to. Especially in the winter.
Ball pythons are easy to care for if you start with the right one, a captive bred one.

Johanna,
Most captive bred balls go off of food at any time of year so I woudln't worry about it. I've had balls go off in almost every month of the year. Of my 12 balls only 4 came out of pet shops, I bought them from other keepers when they were already adults. The rest are captive bred. Of the twelve only two are eating, both females, one I produced the other was sold to me as an adult and came out of a pet shop a few years back. The rest are all off. The moral of that rant was that when your ball goes off food you don't have to take it to the vet.
Cheers,
Trevor

zero&stich · 01-06-05, 10:11 PM

Quote:

If nothing else I hope this thread serves as an example of why it is so important to only buy balls from breeders directly. This is what happens when you buy a ball out of a pet shop.

I am not to fond of pet stores myself. 90% of them are trash. But I have worked in a pet store to help me support my hobby and the animals were well taken care of because all the staff, including myself, all had a good foundation and passion for herps. We worked hard to see and make sure they were taken care of properally and moreover, people were getting their info right.

I didn't work in a chain. But my point being, not all shops are terriable. There are a few around.

However, I also hope this thread serves the purpose of anyone that is new, yes I would seek out and find a reptuable breeder. At least should have a well started youngster. Also when someone gets into the "swing of things", when they walk into pet shops, hopefully they can decide what are poor and acceptable conditions are.

VI, if makes you feel any better since coming back to the hobby after a 6 yr break because of school one snake did pass away under my care. It was a Sunbeam. It's care was too advanced for me to take on just yet from such a long break. In your case, you are working your tail off to correct an illness. If all else, if you know you did everything possiable that you could do improve its health, if something does happan, least you will know you tried your best to improve the quality of life of an animal.

Best of luck.

Jeff_Favelle · 01-07-05, 01:35 AM

Quote:

As of now, I believe ball pythons are not as easy to care for as people think.

Not if you buy the RIGHT animal to begin with. Your statement should have read: "Buying a healthy captive bred Ball Python is easier than most people think".

LOL!

VI Reptiles · 01-07-05, 02:07 PM

haha, When my snake is better I will buy one from you Jeff......

Jeff_Favelle · 01-07-05, 02:27 PM

Or ANY of the Ball Breeders in Canada. Now that you know, and its good that you're wiling to learn, because that's going to make you a successful keeper. There's no shortage of CB baby Ball Pythons every year, and I can name 10 breeders off the top of my head that could provide you with a quality specimen for a great price.

Do not let this be your Ball Python experience. Wait until you get a real animal with a clean history!