another shed??

LLinz · 05-30-11, 05:16 PM

Sneezy is about to go into blue.. Again!! He shed a few weeks ago! That was his first shed with me, and it was terrible. Came off in tiny pieces, and I had to give him two baths. The guy I got him from didn't give him any humidity at all, I've had him for about 2 months now and his humidity is up to 90% to hopefully get a nice shed
My question is, why is he shedding again?? Am I correct to assume that its because I've been feeding him every second friday, as opposed to the guy I got him from only feeding him every 3 months

?? So he's growing?? Thoughts?

Wolfus_305 · 05-30-11, 05:48 PM

Hi,
I'm not an expert but how do you know he's going to go into blue? (i have a ball python and I don't notice anything until he goes into blue and his eyes are cloudy)

if he's getting bigger than he will shed, I also heard that if they have injuries they might shed more often to help them heal quicker. I'm not sure what condition he's in but that could be a reason for it.

I'm not sure you should have the humidity at 90% though, seems a tad high (but if i'm wrong please correct me). is it at 90% all the time? just for the shed?

LLinz · 05-30-11, 06:01 PM

Its at 60% regularly, 90 for shedding. He started looking really dull and ashy, then his belly got pinkish, so he'll go into blue in a few days. He has an RI and is being treated for it with Baytril.

Wolfus_305 · 05-30-11, 06:03 PM

is it still ok to have the humidity that high if he has an RI (even though he's being treated)
i'm asking because I have no idea, just a good thing for you to find out though

I hope it's just because he's growing, sounds like he's doing better, let's hope the RI is gone soon!

stephanbakir · 05-30-11, 06:12 PM

Shedding is pretty much always a good thing.

mykee · 05-30-11, 08:19 PM

Shedding too often is a sign of illness.
Did the culture results come back from the vet yet?
I'm surprised with feeding every two weeks that he sheds at all (try feeding him every week).

LLinz · 05-30-11, 08:38 PM

As I said, the guy I got him from fed him once every 3 months, he's been eating once every second week, so I'm going to try feeding him every week soon and see if he takes it. I didn't want him to pack on too much weight too quickly. He isn't showing any symptoms at all now, so he should be fine. He was pretty thin when I got him, but he's gained some weight.

mykee · 05-31-11, 08:16 AM

Quote:

"Did the culture results come back from the vet yet?"

Whether he is no longer showing symptoms is good, but if he's being treated with the (hence my question which went unanswered) wrong antibiotic, it'll come back (it will actually never really go away) and next time, it will be far worse.

Wolfus_305 · 05-31-11, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

Whether he is no longer showing symptoms is good, but if he's being treated with the (hence my question which went unanswered) wrong antibiotic, it'll come back (it will actually never really go away) and next time, it will be far worse.

Is that because it sort of becomes resistant to the treatment medications? (kind of like what can happen with human illnesses?)

LLinz · 05-31-11, 12:18 PM

All they said about his culture was that "he'll be fine on Baytril". Hmmmm. Not sure if I'd go back there if I ever needed to. I was recommended to go to that particular vet clinic with Sneezy by 2 different vets from 2 different clinics. They were reluctant to take the swab (to them it didn't seem necessary) and have it cultured, then didn't give any other info when I asked for details on the culture. Sigh. He has no symtoms now, but I am watching him like a hawk. A loving, caring hawk. Hehe.

LLinz · 05-31-11, 10:20 PM

He's in blue today. I'm hoping for a good shed, but the humidity still stays too low, after misting, within a half hour, it falls to 40%. So I have to mist it as often as I'm home :/ and there's a fountain in his tank. I'm working on sealing the screen, I just don't have any funds to do so, so I'll be hunting for scrap wood. I'm debating whether I should give him a bath to make sure he has a good shed.

stephanbakir · 05-31-11, 10:23 PM

For now, saran wrap the lid and open it twice daily.
Making a humid hide might also be in order.

LLinz · 05-31-11, 10:34 PM

I have it covered in heavy plastic, I'm actually taping it on right now as i type :P gonna get some plexi glass to cover it when I can. I don't know if he'd use a humid hide, he's very picky with his hides, he prefers cardboard boxes to fancy nice looking fake rock hides. Brat. Should I use a humid hide even though he has an RI? (With no symptoms anymore, after 5 treatments)

mykee · 06-02-11, 11:24 AM

Quote:

"Is that because it sort of becomes resistant to the treatment medications? (kind of like what can happen with human illnesses?) "

Exactly.

Quote:

"All they said about his culture was that "he'll be fine on Baytril". Hmmmm. Not sure if I'd go back there if I ever needed to. I was recommended to go to that particular vet clinic with Sneezy by 2 different vets from 2 different clinics. They were reluctant to take the swab (to them it didn't seem necessary) and have it cultured, then didn't give any other info when I asked for details on the culture. Sigh. He has no symtoms now, but I am watching him like a hawk. A loving, caring hawk. Hehe. "

With a comment like that from a vet, that would invoke zero trust and end even less respect. I would find a new vet if you can.

Also, during the treatment of an RI, you NEED to keep the humidity as close to 100% as you can because ball pythons do not have the albility to cough to clear out there (one working) lung of pleghm, and a dry environment will dry out the mucus in their lung, choking them.
Do your best to get that humidity up up UP.

LLinz · 06-02-11, 12:00 PM

I literally mist it every hour when I'm home :/ I covered the screen a bit, so it stays at %40 during the day when I'm not home, even with the fountain and the water bowl under the infared lights, so I'm trying desperatly! I'll be geting some plexi glass to cover the screen as soon as I can. If I notice any signs of the RI coming back, I'll have to find another vet. It sucks when a vet that was highly recommended doesn't live up to expectations! He has no symtoms right now, but I'll keep a close eye on him. First sign of RI, he'll be going to another vet. Thanks for all the advice, Mykee.