I got a call yesterday...

[prismwolf]

...on this supposed male.


He was sexed by the previous owner of the person I got him from. She thinks he's got a URI and calcium deposits he's pooping out...actually...that she was using an enema for! It didn't take long to realize its probably dried urates from a dehydrated snake. He didn't have a water bowl to soak in or drink from regularly. I'm hoping with one now that what's in there (and I can feel the hardened urates) that he will be able to soften this up on his own. I aimed him at his new hide, but when I went back to check on him...his water is where I found him...and he's been in it for 3 hours already.

I haven't heard any labored breathing, but she said he blew bubbles a couple days ago and she had seen him "hawk a lugy"... :-P. Maybe this is a simple dehydration issue, too. I haven't heard anything that sounds like a URI...and hopefully I won't. She can't afford the vet bills for him right now. He eats well and she sent me with the last live feeders, too. Tempting to raise a few litters, but DANG I don't want to clean rat cages!

He's extremely well-tempered, curious, active, and not head-shy in the least. I don't know if he was WC or CB, but from everything I've been reading I'm leaning towards CB for temperaments sake alone.

He's in blue so I can't wait to see what he looks like underneath that old skin! The owner said he hasn't had a one-piece shed since she's had him...another sign of a lack of moisture...this time humidity. Maybe this time he's have a full one. I hope... ;-D

Got him out for a warm bath soak and he freaked in the tub. I'm thinking he's never been in a tub before. He even came up with mouth opened the first time. He still wouldn't settle after the 4th and 5th time, but at least he wasn't gaping. He's very comfortable being held...almost seems like he feels secure there...so I stayed holding him in the water and that didn't work either.

I can hear the raspy breathing in him. Last night I didn't hear it, but he was relatively calm. The activity of wanting out of the tub got him breathing hard.

I've heard bloods have pretty big teeth as pythons go. I sure don't want to test that theory on my tender flesh...so bath session ended at attempt #5. I'll try for a vet appt. tomorrow.

I found some thin, clear plastic using the cover off an old poster frame the kids have LONG outgrown! It covers 3/4 of the top leaving room for the overhead Mega Ray HP (Heat Projector) which sits over the water for additional evaporation. After spritzing down the tank the humidity is at 84%. We'll see how long it stays that way.

[ChamZilla]

Hi Prism,

That is a good looking guy you have there. Are you just rehabing him and letting him go back to her owner? or is she giving him up? Sounds as if he hasn't had the best care there as far as water and humidity. At least he isn't deathly skinny so thats at least a plus. Our one python had a URI we had to give her shots every three days. Let me tell you, that was not a happy snake after getting a shot in the back. They actually do have a fair amount of sharp needle sharp and curved back set of teeth in there. I'm not thinking I'd like to be bitten by that either. They lack the typical LARGE fangs of some other snakes though, so that is a relief!

He is deffinatly a beautiful boy, also I didn't post to this link before because there wasn't a tag on it saying new on my computer. I reply to 90% of the photo's I see, because I LOVE PHOTOS!!

Also as far as the humidity, I was just wondering if the lack of humidity and then introducing a lot of humidity would lead to a URI? This is what happened with a python we rescued. Probably doesn't happen that often but it did to her. Keep up the good work and let us know what you are doing with her or what the vet says

I'm sure its hard pooping out those hard pieces as well. And an enima used by and in experianced owner could lead to a lot of problems. So its not advisable to do so. (I know you knew that, it was for other readers )

[ChamZilla]

some interesting information I got from MSN Encarta is this......

"Some species have as many as 400 sets of ribs. Their jaws can have up to 200 backward curving teeth, designed to grip prey and prevent it from pulling away. Pythons also have teeth on the roof of the mouth. Many of the bones in a python’s skull are loosely attached with ligaments or skin, allowing the snake to stretch and expand the shape of its head and jaws to aid in swallowing large prey. The lower jaws can unhinge from the upper jaws and the lower jaws can spread wide apart, giving pythons a huge gape."

We did have a python who dislocated his bottom jaw and got it overlaped on his top jaw after he ate a large prey. We had to unhinge it for him using long tweezers wraped in tape (tape was to prevent cutting his mouth or sustaining damage to the mouth) He was not a happy camper and at 50lbs that is a large snake to throw a hissy fit. If some of the readers plan on getting into snakes, remember knowledge is power, don't ever stop reading up on your pet or future prospects

[prismwolf]

I am SO stoked!! The 29th was his was vet visit day. I took all the money I had banked from the rescue - a measely $150 and only because I've used our personal funds for many purchases - expecting it to cost that for the snake AND the girl rabbit named Clover who happens to now be a boy rabbit named Hunk... :-). An exam on both, 6 hypos filled with Baytril for snakey only...you ready...you won't believe it...$10.40.


She is fantastic! She showed me how to give the injection and we talked for ever. She couldn't help but to show the snake off. She's not hugely knowledgeable on snake care. She had to look everything up on the Internet for exact treatment and how best to give the meds...but she's very willing to give it a try and I'm very willing to give her the opportunity. She was excited - I was excited - half the staff was terrified... ;-D

This was that night after his appt. Even in blue - he was hungry and eagerly explored and then finally ate the rat.


Since he already had the URI I know it was the lack of humidity when I received him as a complete owner surrender that caused it originally. And he may have been fine with just the temps bumped up and the humidity stabilized. I wanted to make sure though so antibiotics had to be a part of his program.

As a side note - blood pythons have the longest and strongest teeth of the pythons in this size range. I'm glad he's got a decent attitude. Today I give him his second shot...by myself. I may place his upper body in the drawstring bag and then give it to him.