He's not going to make it.... :(

Chic · 09-24-2009, 08:38 AM

I just have this feeling he isn't going to make it. My Eastern Milk Snake... the last couple of times he has had trouble shedding. Last time I ended up taking him to the vet and he pulled through even though the vet wasn't that familiar with snakes. DH was real thrilled at paying $105 vet bill for an animal that cost $5. This time though (assuming it's the same problem) he's in the middle of a shed and very lethargic. I've done everything the vet told me to do... recommended a vit powder and higher humidity and he's still having trouble shedding. He was fine up until a couple of days ago. Now he barely moves. Right now I have him in a tupper ware type container with some wet paper towels trying to get the skin to loosen up. I'm crossing my fingers that it works. Anyone else got any ideas?

minnowline · 09-24-2009, 09:41 AM

I'm not a snake person...eewwoohh....but, you seem to really like your snake and want to help it. I'm goin' out on a limb here....what about some aloe vera, squeezed right from the plant. It would be all natural and wouldn't hurt or be bad for your snake. Maybe something like that would help it loosen and shed skin.

Hope your slithery friend makes it.

Chic · 09-24-2009, 09:55 AM

I do like him. I think he is my favorite out of all my snakes. I've had various snakes for 15 years... I got this one last winter. Some one found him in their basement and thought he was a corn snake. He's a very personable snake. I'm hoping the huimid box will help. I"m not sure of the aloe vera either.

FlyinPjs · 09-24-2009, 09:58 AM

I had a ball python that did not shed his eye caps for several sheds... in fact he could not see anything. I let him soak in my bathtub in some warm water. He loved to swim in it and then he would curl up and keep his head above water and stay there for a while... This finally helped him shed the caps on his eyes. I only put enough water for him to submerge himself if he wanted. (Only about 2-3 inches of water.) Maybe this will help yours. If he is lethargic I would watch him the whole time he is in the water though so he does not drown. Good luck!

Lady_MCSE · 09-24-2009, 12:11 PM

Does he have a heated surface he can get to, like a heat rock? Heat lamps from above are generally OK, but snakes in particular like to have the heat comign from the belly, like if they were sitting out in the sun in a warm rock.

As FPJ suggested, a good soak may help as well. If you have the space to allow it, let him have his choice between a heat rock and a bath ... don't put him in either one manually, but make both available to him, and let him choose.

If you really don't have the space, and you're to a point where you've got nothing to lose, then I suppose I'd go with a warm bath for 1/2 hour or so.

Valerie62 · 09-24-2009, 12:34 PM

I don't have a snake, but I have an iguana and when he's shedding (almost constantly as they don't shed all in one piece like snakes) I soak him in a tub of warm water (about 85 degrees) for 15-20 minutes a day or every few days. Also, I use mineral oil on my iguana when his tail sheds because that seems to be the most difficult part of his body to shed. If you do soak, please don't leave him in the water unsupervised.

Have you tried going on a snake/reptile forum and asking more qualified experts? Here is a link to a good one I know of:

http://www.herpcenter.com/reptile-forums-index.html

Good luck. I hope he pulls through again.

Chic · 09-24-2009, 01:10 PM

I have been on a couple forums... the humid box with the wet towels was their idea.

I have an under tank heater on one end of his tank and a water dish big enough he could climb in if he wanted.

snwflk · 09-24-2009, 02:03 PM

I wonder if he needs to be warmer? I am sure you are doing everything you can for him.. Is he eating normal too or has that slowed down? I would say up his temp as he may have caught a chill and then alternate his time in the heat and time in a damp environment.. I like the idea of letting him swim to help shed, but I'd worry about him getting sicker if that is indeed what has happened... See if you can find a store/ person that does reptiles- maybe a reptile rescue in your area that you can pick their brain.. unfortunatly like you said that Vets dont always do reptiles.. There is a fabulous vet here in colorado that does reptiles - He is at alameda east vet hospital and I wonder if you call you could talk to him? Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald? just a thought. Just google the name ?

GOOD LUCK- hope the lil guy pulls though...

Quarters N Paints · 09-24-2009, 02:23 PM

Try a product called Shed-Eze I think that is how it is spelled.
You can get it from a major pet store who handles and deals in reptiles.
My adult son has a baby surname who was having trouble shedding a couple times, although he has the humidity and temps where they were supposed to be. this worked wonderfully for her ( Eve, the snake) follow the directions on the bottle.
Best of luck,

Chic · 09-26-2009, 12:00 AM

He seems to be doing better today although he still hasn't shed. I took out the paper towels and added about 1/4 inch of water with a nice sized flat rock in the middle. (Keep in mind this snake is slightly bigger around than a pencil and about twice as long) I put it in the warm side of his tank as close to the heating pad as I could get. I also turned the heat up a knotch... from 82 to around 86 or 87. He's been soaking in the water most of the day and seems a bit more perked up.

I will have to look up this Shed-Ez but I live about an hours drive from any major pet store. Maybe I could order it online.

Eating was normal... he ate about 4 or 5 days ago. It was a couple days after that I noticed there was a problem.

Chic · 09-27-2009, 10:01 AM

He's gone. He seemed to be doing alot better yesterday morning but when we got home last night he was dead. RIP Schroder.

scrapchick · 09-27-2009, 10:02 AM

Aww, sorry Chic. RIP Schroder.

snwflk · 09-27-2009, 10:08 AM

O I am so sorry- RIP lil guy- YOU TRIED your BEST and that is all we can ever do.

farmergal · 09-29-2009, 02:30 PM

Aw I'm sorry he didn't make it. RIP Schroder.

jsmckinney · 09-29-2009, 02:46 PM

AWW sorry the little guy didn't make it.

Melissa_PQHorse · 09-30-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady_MCSE

Does he have a heated surface he can get to, like a heat rock? Heat lamps from above are generally OK, but snakes in particular like to have the heat comign from the belly, like if they were sitting out in the sun in a warm rock.

Heat rocks are NEVER okay. Snakes and lizards cannot feel if things get too hot and they can and do get nasty nasty thermal burns, I've had to take in so many snakes with oozing burns on their bellies from those things... I wish they'd stop making them. Flexwatt heat tape and under tank heating pads are much better options.

That said, I'm sorry to hear about your boy. Bad sheds do not cause death so it's very likely he was old or it was something internal.

Chic · 09-30-2009, 06:14 PM

I'm pretty sure he wasn't old. He was still pretty small. Must have been something internal. I'm really sad to lose him. I've done educational talks with him and he was a crowd favorite even though I wouldn't let the kids handle him.

Melissa_PQHorse · 09-30-2009, 06:37 PM

Well don't blame yourself. A friend of mine lost one of her favorite red tail boas quite suddenly, she had a necropsy done and found out that it was a sudden bacterial infection even though the vets couldn't find the source.

Snakes are some of the more mysterious pets. I'm down to 40 snakes from my nearly 70 (rehoming like crazy before moving) and I've had my share of seemingly unexplained deaths over the years that even after having necopsies done the vets were stumped.

Chic · 10-01-2009, 08:32 AM

LOL, and I thought I was getting bad with 5 snakes and a gecko for reptiles. Do you breed them? If so, what kinds?

Melissa_PQHorse · 10-01-2009, 05:07 PM

I breed ball pythons as a hobby. I also have a lavender albino kingsnake and my husband has a Carpet python named Zaphod.
I'm pretty much the crazy snake lady of the family.

09-24-2009, 08:38 AM
Chic Coming two Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,580	He's not going to make it.... :( I just have this feeling he isn't going to make it. My Eastern Milk Snake... the last couple of times he has had trouble shedding. Last time I ended up taking him to the vet and he pulled through even though the vet wasn't that familiar with snakes. DH was real thrilled at paying $105 vet bill for an animal that cost $5. This time though (assuming it's the same problem) he's in the middle of a shed and very lethargic. I've done everything the vet told me to do... recommended a vit powder and higher humidity and he's still having trouble shedding. He was fine up until a couple of days ago. Now he barely moves. Right now I have him in a tupper ware type container with some wet paper towels trying to get the skin to loosen up. I'm crossing my fingers that it works. Anyone else got any ideas? __________________ Jewlery For Your HorseThe Kelley Square "I cannot do everything, but I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." Edward Hale

09-24-2009, 09:41 AM
minnowline Halter broke Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Atikokan, Ontario Posts: 194	I'm not a snake person...eewwoohh....but, you seem to really like your snake and want to help it. I'm goin' out on a limb here....what about some aloe vera, squeezed right from the plant. It would be all natural and wouldn't hurt or be bad for your snake. Maybe something like that would help it loosen and shed skin. Hope your slithery friend makes it.

09-24-2009, 09:55 AM
Chic Coming two Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,580	I do like him. I think he is my favorite out of all my snakes. I've had various snakes for 15 years... I got this one last winter. Some one found him in their basement and thought he was a corn snake. He's a very personable snake. I'm hoping the huimid box will help. I"m not sure of the aloe vera either. __________________ Jewlery For Your HorseThe Kelley Square "I cannot do everything, but I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." Edward Hale

09-24-2009, 09:58 AM
FlyinPjs Halter broke Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Panama City, FL Posts: 63	I had a ball python that did not shed his eye caps for several sheds... in fact he could not see anything. I let him soak in my bathtub in some warm water. He loved to swim in it and then he would curl up and keep his head above water and stay there for a while... This finally helped him shed the caps on his eyes. I only put enough water for him to submerge himself if he wanted. (Only about 2-3 inches of water.) Maybe this will help yours. If he is lethargic I would watch him the whole time he is in the water though so he does not drown. Good luck! __________________ When life hands you lemons.... Put them in your sweet tea and thank God that you are a Southern Belle!! "In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God." Psalm 62:7

09-24-2009, 12:11 PM
Lady_MCSE Seasoned Join Date: May 2005 Location: Shytown, IL Posts: 4,519	Does he have a heated surface he can get to, like a heat rock? Heat lamps from above are generally OK, but snakes in particular like to have the heat comign from the belly, like if they were sitting out in the sun in a warm rock. As FPJ suggested, a good soak may help as well. If you have the space to allow it, let him have his choice between a heat rock and a bath ... don't put him in either one manually, but make both available to him, and let him choose. If you really don't have the space, and you're to a point where you've got nothing to lose, then I suppose I'd go with a warm bath for 1/2 hour or so. __________________ "A pun is its own reword." — Dance Drier, British comedian

09-24-2009, 12:34 PM
Valerie62 Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Washington, PA Posts: 782	I don't have a snake, but I have an iguana and when he's shedding (almost constantly as they don't shed all in one piece like snakes) I soak him in a tub of warm water (about 85 degrees) for 15-20 minutes a day or every few days. Also, I use mineral oil on my iguana when his tail sheds because that seems to be the most difficult part of his body to shed. If you do soak, please don't leave him in the water unsupervised. Have you tried going on a snake/reptile forum and asking more qualified experts? Here is a link to a good one I know of: http://www.herpcenter.com/reptile-forums-index.html Good luck. I hope he pulls through again. __________________ *There's more to life than horses ----- but NOT much!*

09-24-2009, 01:10 PM
Chic Coming two Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,580	I have been on a couple forums... the humid box with the wet towels was their idea. I have an under tank heater on one end of his tank and a water dish big enough he could climb in if he wanted. __________________ Jewlery For Your HorseThe Kelley Square "I cannot do everything, but I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." Edward Hale

09-24-2009, 02:03 PM
snwflk Started Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,463	I wonder if he needs to be warmer? I am sure you are doing everything you can for him.. Is he eating normal too or has that slowed down? I would say up his temp as he may have caught a chill and then alternate his time in the heat and time in a damp environment.. I like the idea of letting him swim to help shed, but I'd worry about him getting sicker if that is indeed what has happened... See if you can find a store/ person that does reptiles- maybe a reptile rescue in your area that you can pick their brain.. unfortunatly like you said that Vets dont always do reptiles.. There is a fabulous vet here in colorado that does reptiles - He is at alameda east vet hospital and I wonder if you call you could talk to him? Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald? just a thought. Just google the name ? GOOD LUCK- hope the lil guy pulls though... __________________ Suzie Q

09-24-2009, 02:23 PM
Quarters N Paints Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Monterey Michigan Posts: 844	Try a product called Shed-Eze I think that is how it is spelled. You can get it from a major pet store who handles and deals in reptiles. My adult son has a baby surname who was having trouble shedding a couple times, although he has the humidity and temps where they were supposed to be. this worked wonderfully for her ( Eve, the snake) follow the directions on the bottle. Best of luck, __________________ http://quarterpaintranch.homestead.c...AINTRANCH.html RIDE LIKE A PILOT NOT A PASSENGER

09-26-2009, 12:00 AM
Chic Coming two Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,580	He seems to be doing better today although he still hasn't shed. I took out the paper towels and added about 1/4 inch of water with a nice sized flat rock in the middle. (Keep in mind this snake is slightly bigger around than a pencil and about twice as long) I put it in the warm side of his tank as close to the heating pad as I could get. I also turned the heat up a knotch... from 82 to around 86 or 87. He's been soaking in the water most of the day and seems a bit more perked up. I will have to look up this Shed-Ez but I live about an hours drive from any major pet store. Maybe I could order it online. Eating was normal... he ate about 4 or 5 days ago. It was a couple days after that I noticed there was a problem. __________________ Jewlery For Your HorseThe Kelley Square "I cannot do everything, but I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." Edward Hale

09-27-2009, 10:02 AM
scrapchick Kid Safe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Festus, Missouri Posts: 7,022	Aww, sorry Chic. RIP Schroder. __________________ ....And I will sail my vessel, 'til the river runs dry, like a bird upon the wind , these waters are my sky - I'll never reach my destination if I never try ...So I will sail my vessel ,'til the river runs dry ...

09-27-2009, 10:01 AM
Chic Coming two Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,580	He's gone. He seemed to be doing alot better yesterday morning but when we got home last night he was dead. RIP Schroder. __________________ Jewlery For Your HorseThe Kelley Square "I cannot do everything, but I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." Edward Hale

09-27-2009, 10:08 AM
snwflk Started Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,463	O I am so sorry- RIP lil guy- YOU TRIED your BEST and that is all we can ever do. __________________ Suzie Q

09-29-2009, 02:30 PM
farmergal Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 6,063	Aw I'm sorry he didn't make it. RIP Schroder. __________________ Knowlege is out there, you just need to know where to look.

09-29-2009, 02:46 PM
jsmckinney Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 430	AWW sorry the little guy didn't make it. __________________ Proud Army Wife.......Toughest job in the army!

09-30-2009, 06:14 PM
Chic Coming two Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,580	I'm pretty sure he wasn't old. He was still pretty small. Must have been something internal. I'm really sad to lose him. I've done educational talks with him and he was a crowd favorite even though I wouldn't let the kids handle him. __________________ Jewlery For Your HorseThe Kelley Square "I cannot do everything, but I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." Edward Hale

09-30-2009, 06:37 PM
Melissa_PQHorse Long Yearling Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,198	Well don't blame yourself. A friend of mine lost one of her favorite red tail boas quite suddenly, she had a necropsy done and found out that it was a sudden bacterial infection even though the vets couldn't find the source. Snakes are some of the more mysterious pets. I'm down to 40 snakes from my nearly 70 (rehoming like crazy before moving) and I've had my share of seemingly unexplained deaths over the years that even after having necopsies done the vets were stumped.

10-01-2009, 08:32 AM
Chic Coming two Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,580	LOL, and I thought I was getting bad with 5 snakes and a gecko for reptiles. Do you breed them? If so, what kinds? __________________ Jewlery For Your HorseThe Kelley Square "I cannot do everything, but I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." Edward Hale

10-01-2009, 05:07 PM
Melissa_PQHorse Long Yearling Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,198	I breed ball pythons as a hobby. I also have a lavender albino kingsnake and my husband has a Carpet python named Zaphod. I'm pretty much the crazy snake lady of the family. __________________ http://melmissa.deviantart.com/