Odd behavior. - Page 2

Starbuck · 04-30-13, 01:42 PM

if you are willing to exchange/refund via the lemon law (at least, this is a law in NY, not sure about your area), i would be direct and upfront. Get a quote for an indepth exam from a local herp vet, then call Ken and say 'This is going to cost me XXX$ to figure out; what i propose is either an exchange (for another dum, similar value snake, or money), or are you willing to reimburse me the value of the snake, should it be something serious like IBD, or a genetic issue where you would need to contact the sibling's owners.'

Make it clear about what you are asking, what you are planning to do, etc. Start calling around local vets now, and ask how much an initial exam for a snake with neuro issues, that way you can compare cost/find out who knows herps well, etc.

Sorry, best of luck

hope things work out.

shaunyboy · 05-01-13, 10:27 AM

i'm NOT saying its IBD,but i have heard that over here in the UK,there is a new blood test that can be done to determine if it is or not,its not expensive but i don't know if its available over in the USA

when i watched your video,i thought it was just nervous and freaked out,at not being able to get hold of something to get it out the water

cheers shaun

Mark Taylor · 05-01-13, 10:34 AM

Do you have a video of this behaviour in his viv?

Snakesitter · 05-03-13, 01:51 PM

Don't jump to an IBD conclusion prematurely. It *could* be...but it also might not. Trust me, I went through a case where a misdiagnosis was made, and it turned out to be something else that was much less severe. (And a huge thank you to the forum for being cautious with that possibility.)

As for testing, the University of Florida has a blood-based option that can often detect IBD. It is the least invasive way to check, but is not 100% certain; as such, they recommend two test rounds separated by several months. The next option up the ladder is a tissue biopsy examined by a top reptile pathologist...but these are much more invasive and expensive. Even then, unless you send in the right tissues, the results may not be certain. Unfortunately, the only was to be (almost) 100% sure is a necropsy....and even that can yield false results, especially in the hands of an inexperienced pathologist.

In the meantime, keep the snake on hard, handle-me-last quarantine. (Which he should already thankfully be on.) And just in case it is something contagious, IBD or not, *BLEACH* the tub or anything else (such as tools) he has come into contact with, so as to minimize the chance of spread to your other reptiles.

Good luck to you, this will not be easy on your nerves.

Starbuck · 05-03-13, 01:53 PM

I believe the OP has only this one snake; if so he can breath (a little) easier r.e. the quarantine thing. Still, keep things very sterile, handle him only as needed, and keep doing what your doing in terms of maintaining proper husbandry.
Any word from Ken/a vet yet?

Snakesitter · 05-03-13, 02:02 PM

That does make things a bit easier. If so, only keep decontamination in mind if it turns out to be serious and you plan to get another animal afterwards.

shaunyboy · 05-03-13, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Taylor

Do you have a video of this behaviour in his viv?

^^^^^
good idea mate,i to would like to see the above video

ive seen a few snakes that get that nervous,they launch themselves all over the tank in a very skittish manner

i think it was just nervously thrashing about in the water mate

cheers shaun

TheSuppishOne · 05-05-13, 12:16 AM

Yeah, I've been watching for it in his enclosure lately and I really only see it when he gets nervous/excited. But I've noticed it lessening, too.

Maybe ShaunyBoy is right. Maybe it was just freak out behavior. It was the first time I've put him in water that was deep enough for his body to not be able to touch the ground at all times, and I have to keep in mind that as a Dumeril's, he is a ground boa...

I'm taking him to a vet anyway, as I feel that any new pet should get a "preliminary" checkup to make sure it's okay. Appointment is for Tuesday. We'll see what happens.

bcr226 · 05-06-13, 10:12 AM

Try this. Use a smaller tub inside the bath tub and put something in the bottom that he can grab onto. It looks like he's panicking a bit to me. If it were a neuro issue, I'd think he'd have issues grabbing the wall and righting himself. I could be wrong though.

He may be stressing a bit too with the experience which may be part of the reason for him acting that way in his viv.

First go with the smaller tub and something he can anchor too in the tub. Maybe don't make the water as deep either. If he still shows issues, get him to the vet.

**Aaron_S** · 05-06-13, 12:51 PM

Snakes can swim. Nobody said they all can swim well. He looks frantic, stressed and just not able to really grasp the whole swimming thing.

Don't use soaks for a single piece of shed. A wet cloth, let the snake slide through your hands and it should peel itself off. You can wet the spot first too if you prefer.

TheSuppishOne · 05-07-13, 02:41 AM

I greatly appreciate all the feedback. I think more and more that he must have just been under extreme duress because he couldn't feel the ground beneath him. I'm still taking him to the vet tomorrow, but I'm considering this to be an initial exam for wellness. The same as I would do for any other new pet.

As for the stuck shed, I've tried the wet towel method. It doesn't work right now. I'll wait until his next shed (due either this week or next), and if I still don't get a full shed, I'll look into alternate methods.

Changing course, I've noticed a distinctly different odd behavior. When I handle him (mostly just sitting on the couch with him on my chest/stomach, I'll sometimes reach toward him to grab my phone or something. Thing is, when I do this, he puts his face right on top of my finger and waits for me to start rubbing his chin. When I rub his chin, he looks straight at me and just sits there content. I happen to find this adorable, but is it normal?

Mark Taylor · 05-07-13, 04:12 AM

TheSuppishOne I greatly appreciate all the feedback. I think more and more that he must have just been under extreme duress because he couldn't feel the ground beneath him. I'm still taking him to the vet tomorrow, but I'm considering this to be an initial exam for wellness. The same as I would do for any other new pet.

I'm sure he will be fine.

As for the stuck shed, I've tried the wet towel method. It doesn't work right now. I'll wait until his next shed (due either this week or next), and if I still don't get a full shed, I'll look into alternate methods.

It would help a lot if you left him in the correct environment (no point in us asking what the temps and humidity are when he is not in there) lol.

Changing course, I've noticed a distinctly different odd behavior. When I handle him (mostly just sitting on the couch with him on my chest/stomach, I'll sometimes reach toward him to grab my phone or something. Thing is, when I do this, he puts his face right on top of my finger and waits for me to start rubbing his chin. When I rub his chin, he looks straight at me and just sits there content. I happen to find this adorable, but is it normal?

None of my snakes do that but the I don't get them out to much.

smy_749 · 05-07-13, 06:35 AM

Your snake has stuck shed, and your worried he has some other issues, and your chilling with him on the couch? ...... What happened to try not to handle him unless its necessary?