| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| BlueDragon |
Posted - 19/01/2011 : 10:15:23
Hi,
I'm new to this forum (just introduced myself in the intro section) and new to keeping Royals. Tig is my first after keeping a corn snake who died at eleven years old.
This may well turn into a long post, just so I can try to explain things right...
I bought Tig in July last year at four weeks old. He has never had any problems, he's always been a curious boy who loves to know what's going on and I swear he could eat for England! But last week I had to rush him to the vets... turns out he has an R.I. He was checked over and a mouth infection was ruled out. He was given an injection and the next day I was given Baytril for him for a week. This has now ran out and I'm wondering what to do next.
Tig was living in his faunarium to begin with, but as he started to sound a bit better I've now moved him into a bin crate (simmilar thing to a RUB with a mesh lid for ventalation) after reading this was an OK thing to do. He seems OK with this, although he's been going through his shed so hasn't properly explored it yet. His breathing has became better and much quieter too.
I've been keeping his humidity level lower than usual 'cause this also seems to be helping, and I've noticed that if I let it drop into the thirties then his breathing becomes better still. But I know that this is very low.
I have to admit that I don't have Tigs heat mat on a stat, but only 'cause I read that they should only be used for when the snake gets older??? But I realize now that I've probably got that wrong somehow... and I also have to admit that I droped and cracked his thermometer (a ye olde fashioned mercury one) and so I currently don't know the temprature in his new home. I have ordered a digital one though... so please don't shout at me : ( He always feels lovely and warm, like a living water bottle, so he's certainly not too cold, and I can't imagine he's too hot either.
I have also ordered his viv and the whole kit-and-kiboodle to go with it. That's a three foot VivExotic vivarium, a ceramic bulb, holder and guard, a pulse thermostat, his new Exo Terra digital thermometer, a new X-large bark hide, a large chunk of tree for him to climb, various Exo Terra plastic plants, some Exo Terra vines and some more of his orchid bark (I've now also read that this is no good either?) and spagnum moss. I think that's it... I might have forgotten something. I'm not saying he'll be moving into this strate away, but I just want it ready for him for when it's time, either now or later.
Before Tig got poorly (wheezy breathing, pink belly scales but clear nose and mouth, no gasping or foaming) he was eating fine, every time without fail, apart from when he was in shed. I haven't tryed him with a mouse 'cause he's been in shed, but I will do once I think he's settled into his new home and has shed. He does seem loads better, and is much more active when I get him out. But his breathing is still dodgy. His nose sounds a bit blocked, like if a person had a cold kinda noise, but it's clear. And he does, every now and then, still give a wheeze. But apart from that he seems much more his normal, curious 'healthy' self. My eventual question is what to do now. I realize that it's probably all my fault that's he's got this way in the first place, and believe me I've already shot myself down for that. I've been having sleeping problems (not good for someone with M.E.) and I have to admit I have been quite upset. I've read that R.I. are caused by poor living conditions and stress...
Of course I want to do what's best for my baby boy but I just feel like I'm in a six-and-two-threes situation. I've read that if it's not serious then you should just leave said snake alone and it'll sort it's self out... and I've read that if it's not treated he could die. His Baytril ran out on Monday and I've been leaving him alone on purpose to see how he does. He does seem to be improoving on his own, but it is slow. Obviously getting Baytril into him is stressful for him, and I obviously don't want to keep him under any stress. So should I risk more stress and get him another dose of Baytril or should I leave him alone now and see how things go? How long should I leave things before going back to the vets? And also, 'cause it's taking it's time to fix is there a possability that Tig could end up with permanent scaring on his lungs? ...Is there a chance I've scared him for life? That he might never get fully better again?
I realize that you may all want to shoot me down... but I have already done that for you. I can't describe how bad I'm feeling knowing that this is my fault, that I caused it. Somehow. But I just want the best for him, always have done. So if anyone can help me in what to do next, I'd very much apreciate it.
Thank you, and I hope that joining here will help me to keep on learning. |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| BlueDragon |
Posted - 04/02/2011 : 08:39:26
It's not bathroom sealent anyway, I got that wrong. It's for going round windows. But never mind 'cause I think my step-dad is going to go find me some aquarium sealent whenever he can, so I should still be able to have him in soon. The only problem is I can't put the doors onto the cabenet 'cause I can't fit the hinges, but I'll put that up on here somewhere and ask if anyone can help. Dunno if I'm just being thick : /
Oh, and he's gone much quiter now again... must just have been a bad day or two for him. |
| Royalbob |
Posted - 04/02/2011 : 00:05:13
Not entirely sure on the bathroom sealant. Maybe call the website company and ask them. |
| BlueDragon |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 09:14:35
His viv arived yesterday, along with most other things. Unfartunatly they've forgot to pack the sealent and the lock. The lock isn't all that important right now 'cause I can get one from the petshop, I think, but I can't get very far without the sealent : / The petshop don't sell anything like that. My mam says she might have some clear bathroom sealent left somewhere, could I use that as a substitute or does it have to be proper aquarium sealent?
But, I have to build it all yet! |
| Royalbob |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 00:37:53
Hiya don't worry about weighing just feed him food that is the size of his belly. They do take time to get better and the breathing will be worse straight after the steam. it will help a lot when your viv arrives. Your humidity is perfect. When the viv comes you want the temp to be 93F at the hot spot and 83F at the cool end whilst he still has the R.I. |
| BlueDragon |
Posted - 02/02/2011 : 09:11:05
I don't know his wieght, no. The vet said it was spot on for his age though. I'm dyslexic, so if he needs weighing I'll have to be told exactly what to do 'cause I don't have a clue. I do have kitchen scales, but they're not digital, just normal ones. I did learn where the grams numbers are on them though when I had to weigh one of my pet rats recently to give her her medcine. Do you weigh snakes with grams numbers?
He's certainly not getting worse, just not any better either : / He did go quiet for a while after his mouse and I though it had helped shift something for him, but now he's making squeeky/whiny noises again. Not all the time though, just occationaly. It's worse when I get him out for his steaming 'cause he tenses up. He knows what's coming I think, 'cause he's not daft! And that makes him get quite noisy. And after his steam he can be quite noisy too, but I know that that's to be expected. Apart from that it's just little high pitched whiny noises sometimes. But, I'll be more patient and see how things go : )
I don't understand percents either... sorry. His humidity in his crate is around 60 (70 when shedding), but as I said the temprature is only getting up to 79 middle temp. I know that's not good, but I've tried. What should my little gadgets say if I up his humidity and temps (when his temp is what it should be)? |
| Royalbob |
Posted - 01/02/2011 : 20:01:54
Really glad he fed for ya. Do you know his weight? you can feed him 10-15% of his body weight.
Treatment will last up to 3 weeks or until your confident R.I has gone. Their systems are slow. if symptoms worsen seek vet advice.
When the viv arrives set it up 3-4 degrees hotter than normal temps and up humidity by 10%. This is all according to Wildlife warrior.
Sounds like he's on the mend though if he's still eating. |
| BlueDragon |
Posted - 01/02/2011 : 09:15:17
He did indeed feed last night, on his large mouse : ) His strike was a tiny bit less enthusiastic (sp?)than usual, so I think he could tell it was bigger, but he still went straite for it with no bother.
I have to admit that I didn't steam him last night, just to make sure he would feed. I did steam him in the afternoon though, and will carry on as usual today, twice a day.
My one slight concern is that he seems to be going no further, now, with getting any better. He seems to still be making a bit of noise, but only really when he's out and moving. Should I be worried? I know that I've only been treating him for a few days, so probably not. He is very active now though, he's all over his crate! So he must be getting better really? I suppose with something like a chest infection then it may well take it's time to go away fully, even if said patient feels fine. I know it used to with me!
His viv should come today or tomorrow. I hope so anyway. |
| Royalbob |
Posted - 31/01/2011 : 10:10:23
lol, good luck with feeding |
| BlueDragon |
Posted - 31/01/2011 : 09:25:13
Yeah, I've noticed he doesn't seem to mind it as much now as he did before.
It's his feeding day today, so I've desided to try him on his bigger mouse and see what he thinks.
He's quite funny. I open the tub on the sofa to let him out after the treatment and he comes out on his own. But he seems to have taken a liking to my fur cusions and he likes to just lie there on them X ) Maybe he's just trying to find out if they're eddible or not, but he just looks so cozy on them : ) |
| Royalbob |
Posted - 30/01/2011 : 15:15:12
Don't be scared about the vicks it's not poison. They tolerate it more each day. But yes as he's getting better you can decrease the amount of time he is in there for but continue until he is completely clear. Just follow the thread.
Don't be scared about the large mouse either just give him the smaller large if your worried. If he's in the mood to eat it's not a problem for him at all. Again only my advice. |
| BlueDragon |
Posted - 30/01/2011 : 11:40:17
Don't give me too many choices, I will never be able to deside! X )
Well, the viks must be working, so I must have it right now. See the first sesion I did with him he came out gasping, which scared me. So I gave a tad less viks the next time and although he was trying his hardest to break out of the tub he wasn't gasping or doing anything horrable like that. So now I'm keeping to that. And he's tons better : )
As for the mouse... I don't know. I know he should be on his bigger ones now, but I don't want to put him off when he's already under some stress : / Mind you, he has had some fairly big mediums before without any fuss...
Hmmm...
I might try the smaller large with him. If he doesn't want I can always defrost his mediums for him instead.
|
| Royalbob |
Posted - 29/01/2011 : 12:41:39
quote:
Originally posted by BlueDragon
Thanks : )
For the last two days I haven't heard him 'cough' either. I had to tweek the amount of Viks I gave him at first to get it right, but I think I've got it right now. He doesn't like it though, so I'm just hoping that he is going to eat.
I'm only feeding him once a week now, like said, so Monday is his feeding day. Should I try him on a bigger mouse or should I keep to the mediums for now till I know he's eating? He's never had a large mouse before, but I asked for one that wasn't much bigger that the mediums he's used to, the hope being that I could just build up the size for him so he wouldn't notice and be put off.
No they don't like the vics. I would stick to the recommended ratio of vick to water though. The guy that put the thread together really knows what he's talking about. Up to you though. I would also go with the larger mouse, especially if it's only slightly larger than the medium. Again your choice though. |
| BlueDragon |
Posted - 29/01/2011 : 10:15:12
Yeah, that's what I thought would be best.
Ta : ) |
| reptiledanny |
Posted - 29/01/2011 : 10:10:31
i woudl say at the moment stick to the mediums just to get him used to feeding again, and then once he has a couple of feeds, then try him again on the large lol |
| BlueDragon |
Posted - 29/01/2011 : 08:35:20
Thanks : )
For the last two days I haven't heard him 'cough' either. I had to tweek the amount of Viks I gave him at first to get it right, but I think I've got it right now. He doesn't like it though, so I'm just hoping that he is going to eat.
I'm only feeding him once a week now, like said, so Monday is his feeding day. Should I try him on a bigger mouse or should I keep to the mediums for now till I know he's eating? He's never had a large mouse before, but I asked for one that wasn't much bigger that the mediums he's used to, the hope being that I could just build up the size for him so he wouldn't notice and be put off. |
| reptiledanny |
Posted - 29/01/2011 : 08:29:21
quote:
Originally posted by BlueDragon
Thanks reptiledanny : )
I didn't realize that the petshop would be such a mess about, I thought it would mean I got it quicker! But, never mind, all sorted now.
Yeah, I'm sure he'll be fine soon. It seems that way. And I feel much better now too, calmer.
Yep, I'll defiantly put up photos... then people can tell me what I've done wrong with it! X )
It won't be wrong at all, as long as you have the temps good, and 2 hides for the snake, then it can't be wrong, after that it's all on the owners preference for heat it looks like |
| Royalbob |
Posted - 28/01/2011 : 16:30:43
Hey Bluedraggon. Yeh crap about the shop but hey let's look forward. the stuffs all coming in next day or 2. Yeh keep steaming until there's no wheezing or anything. What you can do is reduce the amount of time you do it for over a few days. But as danny said he'll be back to normal soon. Try not to handle him too much until he's all better. It will just reduce any stress. Also keep feeding him every week to keep his strength up. Great work mate, can't wait to see the viv. |
| BlueDragon |
Posted - 28/01/2011 : 10:33:43
Thanks reptiledanny : )
I didn't realize that the petshop would be such a mess about, I thought it would mean I got it quicker! But, never mind, all sorted now.
Yeah, I'm sure he'll be fine soon. It seems that way. And I feel much better now too, calmer.
Yep, I'll defiantly put up photos... then people can tell me what I've done wrong with it! X ) |
| reptiledanny |
Posted - 28/01/2011 : 09:54:08
Sorry about your run in with pet shops, a lot of them will take ages to order things in for you
Good to here you ordered all the stuff ui needed and more from one sight, means you only have to pay for one postage. But ye, I think we all spend to much sometimes on the setups lol, but that's what we do, we spoil are babies lol
Good to here that ri is settling down and you its nearly gone, before you now is hell be back to normal again and as happy as larry, all fit and healthy.
Look forward to seeing pics of the setup |
| BlueDragon |
Posted - 28/01/2011 : 09:47:50
Right, well this thing about getting his viv from the petshop has turned into a right royal cockup. Apparently they didn't realize that I needed it ordering now... despite me giving them the list and asking when it would be here, and then asking every time I was in too. Not to mention that I explained to them about Tig and said he needs to go in his viv as soon as possable ...Don't ask, I don't have a clue : /
So anyway, P&H were no good either. The just of it is that they sell next to nothing and the stuff they do sell is not what I'm after.
So in the end I've had to order things off the internet. Not the end of the world but it just means that it won't be coming for a few days. But I have managed to get hold of everything off one site, after lots of looking around, so that's a bonus anyway. Spent way more than I planned too... But, that's what money is for X )
Tig himself is loads better. It's not so much wheezing now as just short, quiet little whines. And it's only really when he's out in his crate or when I've got him out. So I'm confident enough to say that he no longer has his R.I. and that whatever is left is just the last reminants of it. I'm still going to continue steaming him though till it's all compleatly gone.
Along with his viv and set-up stuff I also bought some 'Aquatize'. I read that it has oils in it that could aid shedding, so I thought I would give it a go. At the minuet he's having bottled water that's been sitting for at least 24 hours with the top off, and then the top is left off. But maybe this stuff will make the water even cleaner.
I also got bought for me a presurized spray bottle yesterday. So I'm hoping I'll be able to manage his humidity better with that. And plus, it's not so much hard work spraying it!
When I've got everything set up I'll post photos in the photo section. I've never set up a viv like this before, with ceramic bulbs 'n' stuff, so it's new to me. But I'm pretty sure I know what I'm doing : ) |
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