help please with my sick snake

digital.bitch · 09-27-04, 06:09 PM

i don't mean to just jump in here with a question about my snakes health. i've never been to any snake forums and i just found this because i have recieved an albinal boa? i believe but the snake is having a hard time eating.

it seems to have a hard time catching the mice that i'm trying to feed it, and the one that it did catch and eat came out pretty much whole, like it wasn't digested. i think it took barely a day to pass the whole mouse through her three feet from snout to anus.

we don't have any money as we just got laid off and we can't afford a vet visit, does anyone have any info that could help?

thanks
digital.bitch

Vanan · 09-27-04, 06:13 PM

Sounds more like your albino boa regurgitated (puked) it's meal. Might wanna find someone nearby to help you help him, since you can't afford a vet visit.

bighillreptiles · 09-27-04, 06:19 PM

what temp are you keeping him at must be over 82 air temp and a hot spot neer 90 for him to digest hif food .Under tank heat pad worth 40 bucks or a heat pad from wallmart mybe 30 bucks a lot chepper than a dead boa

Darren179 · 09-27-04, 08:53 PM

wow not a bad snake to have. Albino boas are great you could always send it down my way

. The best thing you can do is try feeding it perhaps in a few days with correct temps and leaving him. If they get disturbed after eating there is a good chance the snake may regurge.

gonesnakee · 09-27-04, 09:04 PM

I'll also state that it sounds like a regurge too. I suggest stating your location & maybe someone here from your area can help. I'd also suggest reading up on Boas in these forums (there is a section specific to them). Hopefully you can obtain all the info required. Another thing is run a search on http://www.google.com for boa care or husbandry & read up that info also. Mark
P.S. also it should not be getting fed live mice either. I have personally never come across a Boa that wouldn't eat forzen thawed prey once it has been warmed up & given to it. A dead mouse will never hurt your snake, a live mouse can injure it or even kill it (not just by bites but the secondary infection it could catch from the wounds)

rwg · 09-28-04, 08:24 AM

Make sure you are keeping him correctly. research the proper temperatures for hot side and cold side, and make sure you've got it right. It sounds like regurge, and that can be caused by temps being too low. Once you have that right, leave him alone for a bit before you try feeding again...at least a week, and see if he takes it. Leave him alone for a couple of days after feeding.

digital.bitch · 09-28-04, 04:54 PM

thanks everyone much, i have a reptile heatpad for the "kitty" under one side of the aquarium. mebbe there's a problem with it. kitty is also in the warmest room of the house, about 75 typically, that and the pad i thought would suffice, but i'll check the pad for sure and then start digging into your archives

sure you'll see me again

MormonBoa · 09-28-04, 07:00 PM

alright, first of all, nice pick, albinos are expensive, how much was yours? and yeah, that was definitly a regurge. wait 2 weeks, and then get a frozen mouse/rat that is a bit smaller than the thickest part of the snake, and then feed a normal sized frozen/thawed a week later. you can put aluminum foil or a cloth over the top of the cage to hold heat in a little better, but make sure the temp doesnt go over 92-3 in any part of the cage. go here to see a real good careguide www.redtailboas.com

digital.bitch · 10-01-04, 01:53 PM

thanks everyone again, i appreciate the info. i do have a problem tho, whats the deal with all these emails from everyone wanting to "take the boa off of my hands?"

i didn't say kitty was for sale, i just asked for help
she was entrusted to me and i am trying to take care of her to the best of my means. . .

bistrobob85 · 10-01-04, 04:26 PM

It's just that albino boa constrictors are pretty expensive, and they would probably REALLY like to get one for cheap!