Dead Upon Arrival?

Jeepers · 02-21-13, 09:41 AM

We just got in our Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman and it was in a very small cloth bag that didn't really provide a lot of space to move, and it was pretty cold. When I removed it and opened the bag, it was kinda balled up and 'frozen', not literally frozen, in an awkward position...

Is it dead or is it just too cold? 'Cause I know that reptiles will just lock up if they're too cold. We thought we felt movement in the chest, but we aren't 100% sure. I've placed it under a heat lamp in hopes that it's just cold...

Any ideas?

shaunyboy · 02-21-13, 09:45 AM

you will just have to wait and see if it perks up,once it gets a heat in it mate

fingers crossed its just very lathargic due to being cold

please let us know how it goes

all the best,shaun

Jeepers · 02-21-13, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaunyboy

you will just have to wait and see if it perks up,once it gets a heat in it mate

fingers crossed its just very lathargic due to being cold

please let us know how it goes

all the best,shaun

Well the head was frozen like.. in an up position... like it was laying on its belly and had its head up... and after I ran it under mildly warm water for a minute or two, the neck muscles did untense and the head was just kinda limp, but wasn't frozen in place anymore.

If a reptile is severely lethargic due to temperature, how long, maximum, does it take for it to liven up a little? Enough for me to know it's ok?

KORBIN5895 · 02-21-13, 09:47 AM

Email and call the shipper asap. Also I wouldn't heat it up to fast as you will cause pain and possibly shock.

Lankyrob · 02-21-13, 09:55 AM

Take pics or video preferably of everything so that the seller cant argue that you killed it.

Hope it pulls through

Jeepers · 02-21-13, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Take pics or video preferably of everything so that the seller cant argue that you killed it.

Hope it pulls through

Yeah, I took a video of opening the package.

Gungirl · 02-21-13, 10:05 AM

Can you post the video here so we can see?

Hope it warms up and is ok. I would also contact the seller asap.

MoreliAddict · 02-21-13, 10:08 AM

Take pictures. Contact seller immediately.

Jendee · 02-21-13, 10:18 AM

I think it sounds dead..You need to contact the seller/shipper immediately they may ask you for pictures, video any type of proof and for you to ship the animal back. I hope you bought from someone that has a live arrival guarantee

shaunyboy · 02-21-13, 10:34 AM

the description you gave about the frozen head going limp after the warm water,makes me think its dead mate

ive seen very cold snakes lay still for 30 minutes to an hour before moving,but you can see them breathing during this time

it sounds like the shipper did not provide adequate heat for the journey

re shipping
imo its the seller/shippers responsibility,to make sure adequate heat and sufficiant packaging is provided,so the reptile has a safe healthy journey

imo it's also their responsibility to ensure the weathers not too cold for shipping

i'm sorry to hear about an animal losing it's life,due to inadequate transportation

cheers shaun

Ms. Medusa · 02-21-13, 11:04 AM

If you haven't contacted the seller it is really important you do immediately as everyone has stated. Was there a heat pack in there even? It IS the shippers responsibility to be sure it was shipped correctly. Its horrible to receive an animal like that- I'm so sorry that you guys are going through this.

ilovemypets1988 · 02-21-13, 11:27 AM

over here in the uk, all animal transports are strictly monitored and checked, including, needing special licenses to do so.

the packaging's checked to see if they meet the requirements of the animals and if not, the seller is held accountable and is usually fined and/or sent to prison under an animals welfare act so i suggest you contact the seller and do alittle digging into your and the animals rights and see what laws have been broken and get them dealt with, you never know, it might have been a genuine mistake, not that theres any excuse for such behaviour.

sorry to hear about this and i wish you all the best and luck to get the issue resolved

Jeepers · 02-21-13, 11:31 AM

I did, it was from Backwater Reptiles... I'm really hoping they got one left, because when I ordered this one they had two... and I've been looking forward to this all week, even got 2 hours of sleep all night 'cause I was busy putting together the tank, got feeder fish, some crayfish, highly expensive decorations... I've easily spent $500+ on the tank accommodations alone. It's mostly aquatic with a small mass of land on one side, and some of the decorations are tall enough to arch out of the water as sitting spots. Definitely hatchling size, more aquatic than terristial at this age.

So, yeah... I was really psyched... really hoping they still have one and heed my warning about needing extra heat packets to ensure a healthy arrival...

Edit: There was just one heat pack on the top of everything. Like, on top of the styrofoam peanuts... so it wasn't even touching the poor fella... and it was luke warm at best... I contacted them right after opening the package and realizing this, but I posted here, afterwards, to double check. 100% sure it's dead at this point, I see no signs of breathing and it's been under a lamp for over an hour, still limp and lifeless.

Corey209 · 02-21-13, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeepers

I did, it was from Backwater Reptiles... I'm really hoping they got one left, because when I ordered this one they had two... and I've been looking forward to this all week, even got 2 hours of sleep all night 'cause I was busy putting together the tank, got feeder fish, some crayfish, highly expensive decorations... I've easily spent $500+ on the tank accommodations alone. It's mostly aquatic with a small mass of land on one side, and some of the decorations are tall enough to arch out of the water as sitting spots. Definitely hatchling size, more aquatic than terristial at this age.

So, yeah... I was really psyched... really hoping they still have one and heed my warning about needing extra heat packets to ensure a healthy arrival...

Edit: There was just one heat pack on the top of everything. Like, on top of the styrofoam peanuts... so it wasn't even touching the poor fella... and it was luke warm at best... I contacted them right after opening the package and realizing this, but I posted here, afterwards, to double check. 100% sure it's dead at this point, I see no signs of breathing and it's been under a lamp for over an hour, still limp and lifeless.

Back water is known for this from everything I've seen..

Good news
"When you buy a Caiman from us, you automatically receive our 100% live arrival guarantee."

Jeepers · 02-21-13, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey209

Back water is known for this from everything I've seen..

Good news
"When you buy a Caiman from us, you automatically receive our 100% live arrival guarantee."

Really?.. I've seen unboxings from them that went quite fine, though... well, I sent them another email saying that, if they do have another, to pleeeeaaase put in more than one heat pack -and- make notation on the box that it can't drop below room temp.