Help, very wrinkly baby

noodlesoup · 07-14-17, 06:07 AM

I know wrinkly is a sign of shedding, and his eyes were cloudy (not extremely blue) on july 6th, but he hasnt shed and he is VERY wrinkly. Not sure if this is normal in baby boas?? His eyes arent cloudy anymore, he ate on monday, and I've been misting him and just added an extra water bowl to the warm side of his tank.

I've attached a picture. Please let me know if this is warrants a vet trip or what I need to do. I tend to over worry so I havent taken him to the vet just yet.

noodlesoup · 07-14-17, 06:15 AM

Also would like to add that he is very aboreal and I've NEVER seen him on the ground of his enclosure. Not sure if he is drinking water, it's always very clean and appears untouched.

noodlesoup · 07-14-17, 06:17 AM

Sorry one more thing, I also have a UVB light on, because I've heard it doesnt hurt, but does it??

dannybgoode · 07-14-17, 07:31 AM

UV light should be fine but it does depend on strength of the bulb and the make.

That does look very wrinkly though. What are you feeding it and how often and what sources of water does it have access to.

noodlesoup · 07-14-17, 07:58 AM

He's been eating every 6 days, he ate last on Monday. I called the vet and I'm going to try soaking him for ten minutes tonight. He eats hopper mice

noodlesoup · 07-14-17, 07:59 AM

He ha a large water bowl on thee cool side of his tank, I added another to the warm side this morning

RedTailRutiodon · 07-14-17, 08:59 AM

The way the shed cycle works is that they "go blue" for a few days (the period where the eyes get cloudy), look relatively normal for a few more, and then actually shed. Those few days between the blue stage and actually shedding can be confusing to new keepers (I've definitely been fooled by it) but this doesn't seem unusual to me. The whole cycle varies, but usually takes a week or two from the first indications of it starting to the actual shed.

noodlesoup · 07-14-17, 09:27 AM

Thank you that makes me feel so much better. I just thought he looked overly wrinkled and I don't want to miss something, like him being sick or dehydrated.

SerpentineDream · 07-14-17, 09:30 AM

How big is the snake and how big is his prey?

One common reason for snakes to have loose skin like that is malnourishment. Often new owners can underestimate the size of prey thay they should be feeding, either right from the start or when it's past time to move up to larger prey. There's no malice or cruelty--they just don't know.

Since he's got ready access to water that would be the next likely possibility.

Another guess, if he's being fed the correct size prey, might be internal parasites.

bigsnakegirl785 · 07-16-17, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SerpentineDream

How big is the snake and how big is his prey?

One common reason for snakes to have loose skin like that is malnourishment. Often new owners can underestimate the size of prey thay they should be feeding, either right from the start or when it's past time to move up to larger prey. There's no malice or cruelty--they just don't know.

Since he's got ready access to water that would be the next likely possibility.

Another guess, if he's being fed the correct size prey, might be internal parasites.

Actually, loose skin doesn't say anything of the snake's body tone. Loose skin like that indicates dehydration, not malnourishment. It looks like the boa has a case of stuck shed. Humidity should be 70-80% at all times, access to water does not increase a boa's hydration by a measurable amount if the humidity is not adequate.

A hopper every 6 days is overfeeding. It should be eating that same size meal every 10-14 days, no more than 7 at the absolute max. With young boas, a slight bulge is ok, but I like the bulge to be small enough it isn't obvious the snake has recently ate.

There is no need to bump the prey size, noodlesoup, an adult mouse is too much food for your boa right now. My boas don't normally make the jump to adult mice until they're 9-11 months and 150-180+ grams.

To get the humidity up, ditch the carpet completely. It's unsanitary and doesn't provide humidity. I would go with the coco coir like you planned, I usually pour just enough water in it to make it slightly damp. No water should come out when you squeeze it, and should fall freely from your hands when you let it fall from your hands (not in clumps).

I'm not sure if you're soaking him regularly, or you just soaked him for this shed cycle, but as mentioned soaking is unnecessary. I would only soak if the snake has a stuck shed, or if it's a medicinal bath.

If you do do a fecal, keep in mind you have to have a fresh, undried sample, and it has to be refridgerated if you aren't taking the sample in immediately. It can last in the fridge (not freezer) for 24 hours, maybe 48 max.

noodlesoup · 07-14-17, 07:20 PM

The prey is a bit bigger than his largest section, it's a hopper, I can move up to small mice though if you think that would be better. Here's a pic of him eating, if that helps?

I soaked him for ten minutes today and got his humidity up to 68 on the cool side and 85 on the hot side. I also have a vet appointment for tomorrow, I'm assuming at this point that's a necessary step? Also, he currently has a carpet type bedding with lots of sphagnum moss, I am switching over to the coconut stuff that comes in a big block and holds more humidity (I bought it and it's at my house and everything) I just didn't want to switch out his bedding until after he sheds

SerpentineDream · 07-14-17, 09:45 PM

Slightly larger than his thickest section is a good size. From the photo he *looks* like he should be able to take prey one size bigger than what you're giving him but it's hard to make that call without actually seeing him in person. Feeding him prey that's too big causes problems of its own.

Take a stool sample with you to the vet. They'll be able to test it for parasites. If nothing else, the vet should be able to give you an opinion on feeding size / frequency and your husbandry. That should help put your mind at ease.

noodlesoup · 07-15-17, 07:47 AM

GREAT NEWS! The humidity was high last night and I woke up to a shedding snake! He's on his half log hide, I think he's using that rough surface to pull pieces off. It's a very piecy shed so I'll definitely half to switch the bedding and keep the humidity much higher in the future, and possibly soak him again if he retains any pieces, but he's shedding! I won't bring him to the vet today as I don't want to move him while he's in shed, should I still bring him monday?

**Andy_G** · 07-15-17, 10:37 AM

I never advise soaking as there are easier and less stressful solutions. Consider a humid hide at shed time as well. I see no reason to bring him to a vet if there's no known issue.

noodlesoup · 07-15-17, 10:55 AM

That's good to know, if I can't get the rest of the shed off do you recommend using a wet towel? I'm happy to change my techniques, I'm still learning

Thank you all for all the wonderful help, it was really great.