need help with sick balls - Page 2

jfmoore · 04-16-05, 05:14 PM

One of the first things you should do is have some fecals done. Even a veterinarian (or his tech staff) who has no experience with reptiles should be competent in that department. If the pet store you work at uses a vet who has no expertise with reptiles, it would be in their interest (and his) to have him be better educated.
You indicate that your location is in Utah. Perhaps this vet might be interested in consulting with a member of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians. The link below lists some possible choices in Utah.

ARAV

And try to make sure that those snakes have access to fresh water and that they are kept at around 90 degrees.

Good Luck
-Joan

nimrodfiftyfour · 04-17-05, 01:08 AM

Hey, thanks for that link. Unfortunately, as I said, I work for a corporate pet store, so the person that we take it to is not up to me, really wish it was though. I put bulb on them today, they are around 95degrees now. Have fresh water and a hide spot. I have also noticed that when they defecate bubbles come out first. The vet did not do a fecal to my knowledge, but given his reaction, and more so where I work, I know that I wont be able to take them back. They just won't pay for it. Its so frustrating, I wish I could afford to get them and take them. Any other ideas on what I can do? Is there any where that I can read about how to do a fecal myself? Thanks again everyone.

Jeff_Favelle · 04-17-05, 06:01 PM

The light bulb might not be a great idea either. Ball Pythons are NOCTURNAL, BURROWING snakes. A light bulb is pretty useless if the cage is set up properly.

And if they have a spot at 95F, they better damn well have a spot that's also 80F. TEMPERATURE GRADIENT IS NOT AN OPTION. iTS A REQUIREMENT.

nimrodfiftyfour · 04-18-05, 12:29 AM

Not to fear, its a red bulb. They are in a 20 long, so the other side is just over 80.

dystopia · 04-18-05, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nimrodfiftyfour
Is there any where that I can read about how to do a fecal myself? Thanks again everyone.

I do know a guy that taught himself how to do fecals and he recommended these books which i believe you can find on amazon or maybe you can find them locally. I do not know how to do a fecal and only hope this info will help you out.

A Veterinary Guide to the Parasites of Reptiles: Protozoa
by Susan M. Barnard, Steve J. Upton

A Veterinary Guide to the Parasites of Reptiles: Arthropods (Excluding Mites)
by Susan M. Barnard, Lance A. Durden, Steve J. Upton

I fear however that even if you do the fecals yourself and probably find critters, you still would probably need the correct medication. I do not know if its a broad spectrum kinda thing or not as my BP hasnt had any issues yet. Perhaps someone else here can help with that.

Also I cant really see any problems arising from doing your own fecal but i could be wrong.

Good Luck and it's good to see a corp pet shop employee willing to put forth all the effort you have.

Jeremy

zero&stich · 04-18-05, 05:47 PM

You said the balls 'looked' lethargic. Are they hydrated? If not, a good soaking in Gatoraid should help add least it will add electrolites. I have heard of people using Pedialite, but never tried it. I don't remember the general ratio but I think a delutution of 50% water x 50% Gatoraid should be ok. Those who are more familer can correct me since it's been a while rehydrating anything. It's been a while since I had to hydrate any animal, but I think that's the ratio I used.

Someone already pointed it out but to actually know if 'cites are involved, you should bring in a fecal sample to the vet. At least he should be able to handle that much.

Any signs of RI?

I know this may be out of your hands, but try and convince your manager to seperate them all in seperate cages. Then you will have a firmer grasp on individual health, if space permits you. Maybe take them home to nurse them yourself, and return them, if they heal.

Jeff makes a good point with boosting temps and how 'cites usualy have a lower resist to survive. If you're familer with FW, Ich is a common paracite, and one meathod besides antibiotics, is to crank the temp to 85 degree, so Ich will pass through its life cycle quicker. Makes sense how the same senario can be applied to herps.

Your vet sounds like he/she has been smoking too much weed. REPORT THEM. I've met some pretty braindead vets in my time, but they at least offer antibiotics, mostly baytril. But it's better than giving up with no proper dinogsis(sp).

Much luck! Hope they get better and that vet gets hit by the first moving mac truck that enters the street.

nimrodfiftyfour · 04-27-05, 04:31 PM

Ok, update. I put some pediolite in their water dish over night because they did look a bit dehydrated, raised the temp, and gave them a humid hide. However, they showed no progression and while I was off my GM made the descision to have them euthanized. Thanks for the help everyone, it wasn't all in vain for it shall certainly help me with all future cases. Oh, and get this now, we got a boa that it stargazing very exessively, and they won't pay for the blood test. Its going to that same vet, so maybe they are right not to, but we have to do something! God its frustrating. Thanks again everyone.

sassysnake · 04-28-05, 01:47 PM

When you say tremors, do you mean just that, or does it look more like actual convulsions? Please someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I was told when I first got my BP's that I couldn't put them on aspen OR pine shavings because soemthing about their urine mixing with the wood secreted vapors that were toxic to them, and would cause strange, jerky movement, convelsions diherria (SP!) unwillingness to drink and eventual death. I assume none of your BP's are housed on either of these beddings? I'm not even sure if this is correct info, mabey someone could back it up, I wouldn't mind knowing myself.

sassysnake · 04-28-05, 01:53 PM

Opps, sorry, didn't read your last post first. Well, I guess they have gone to snake heven then, poor little guys, but if someone wants to correct my post anyways, just for the info............That is exactly way I won't work at a pet store, very, VERY few really get all the info and the right set up before housing the animals, they just stick the animals in their and hope they sell before they die! Certainly not bashing all shops, some (especially specialty stores) are very good about care, I've just been in too many and seen very sad and very sick herps. Why is it always the reptiles that get the worst of it?