| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| KITTYCAT |
Posted - 07/11/2009 : 13:28:32
hi guys, diesel has developeda a couple of kinks in his back about half way down his body for about 2 1/2 inches this has slowed him down abit when he is moving his back goes into an arch and he falls over onto his side he rights himself and moves on quite normal eventually though when you run your finger down his back you feel a few lumpy bits in this area any ideas to the problem ,could it be due to the problems ive had with feeding? |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kellog |
Posted - 26/11/2009 : 04:44:31
Thanks for keeping us updated Kittycat. I am sorry you have had to resort to feeding him the mouse tail, but it really does sound like you need him to be checked over by an expert.
Do you have a friend that could take you, or the bus/train, or family? Think the need is enough for you to do this and make sure that he is not going to get worse and start suffering.
Well done for persevering with him....he is lucky to have you as his owner.
xxx |
| KITTYCAT |
Posted - 25/11/2009 : 17:19:44
Hi kellog sorry been off line. diesel had half a pinkie then nothing till Monday so i bit the bullet a tried mattys mouse tail way so he ate the tail it only took a few minutes and he seemsnot to be phased by it though i have noticed there is more of a twist in his body which has really slowed him down though he is alert and as curious as ever. the prob with the herp vet is the nearest one to me is cumbernauld quite a distance and i no longer have my car. |
| Kellog |
Posted - 18/11/2009 : 05:20:29
Kittycat - what is happening with Diesel? Have you got him checked out yet?
xxx |
| n/a |
Posted - 17/11/2009 : 21:24:17
No expert but I had a hatchling that eventually ended up with several lumps down his spine & also refused to eat. Ever. He was force-fed a few times, (it was HORRIBLE) and he eventually became so thin & weak it became inhumane to keep him alive. It's devastating, but some just aint meant to be.
But that was mine, you need to get yours to a proper Herp vet.....Fast. |
| matty18714 |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 17:33:55
quote:
Originally posted by Paulusworm
Lol. That's gonna be fun with Suki with those big ass fangs at the back  . A very helpful vid Matty.
Cheers.
From what I have read, it can be easier to avoid the fangs of a front fanged snake rather than a read faged snake during force feeding because with rear fanged, the fangs are actualy closer to your fingers.
Not that I would test that theory with front fanged animals  |
| matty18714 |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 17:28:33
quote:
Originally posted by Hawkeye
 In response to the two YouTube clip:
Although I realize this should sometimes be done, I didn't like any of them one bit. 
I've been assist-feeding Shen for a while now, but I never do what those clip show. Wish I could videotape what I DO do but I can't at the moment, so just wanted to mention that there is a far gentler way to do it that doesn't in fact involve enforcing but really only assisting, starting with a grip similar to the one shown in the second clip, but continuing differently from there.
Force feeding and assist feeding are differant. What I have shown is force feeding. If I was assist feeding, I would not have put so much of the tail in its mouth. |
| Kehhlyr |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 15:39:38
That is what would be called 'assist feeding' Kittycat.
You are simply getting the snake ready to eat, then it does the rest itself.
Assist feeding is better, but not all snakes will do it unfortunately. |
| KITTYCAT |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 10:50:34
Thanks for the videos guys makes it look so easy. i think it takes me so long because though i open its mouth i have just been placing the piece of pinkie in it and then waiting for it to swallow itself which some times takes ages. |
| n/a |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 10:46:53
In response to the two YouTube clip:
Although I realize this should sometimes be done, I didn't like any of them one bit.
I've been assist-feeding Shen for a while now, but I never do what those clip show. Wish I could videotape what I DO do but I can't at the moment, so just wanted to mention that there is a far gentler way to do it that doesn't in fact involve enforcing but really only assisting, starting with a grip similar to the one shown in the second clip, but continuing differently from there.
|
| Paulusworm |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 09:33:27
Lol. That's gonna be fun with Suki with those big ass fangs at the back . A very helpful vid Matty. |
| gingerpony |
Posted - 08/11/2009 : 21:39:27
a hatchie i took on used to corkscrew backwards...........and he was kinked..........and i'm sorry to say he didn't make it
diesel's kinks might have become more obvious as he's grown but the the falling to the side would indicate a certain level of neurological problem to me initially............... just my thoughts BUT this is very different to a specialist reptile/exotics vet examining him in the flesh...... |
| n/a |
Posted - 08/11/2009 : 19:12:06
hey KITTYCAT, im sorry to hear about your lil diesel
a friend of mine has a video of him force feeding his baby snow, i thought you may like to see another way of force feeding, other than mattys method i mean ..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLIAzCPjFbc |
| matty18714 |
Posted - 08/11/2009 : 17:27:39
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW0IcbCB5pI
Here im using a mouse tail, this is because it goes down easier than a pinkie and is less stressful (though it has less nutritional value). I would normaly use a thicker piece but thats all I had.
I've taped the smallest sexing probe I have onto a surface, and used this to open the snakes mouth. When a snake has something across is mouth, it will keep it open.
Push the tail down gently and slowly until the end you are holding is just beyond the chin of the snake. Then let go of its head and allow it to do the rest.
*Edit - I would just like to add that this could cause serious damage to the snake if done incorrectly. I reccomend you get someone experienced to show you how to do it in person before trying this yourself* |
| KITTYCAT |
Posted - 07/11/2009 : 19:28:39
Thanx matty |
| matty18714 |
Posted - 07/11/2009 : 18:12:06
A snake with a spinal problem can survive, but it would never be used as a breeding animal.
All you can do is give the animal the best chance. You said it took an hour and half to force feed it. I will video myself force feeding a hatchling tomorrow to show you how I do it. It shouldnt take more than 15 mins. |
| KITTYCAT |
Posted - 07/11/2009 : 17:00:50
Diesel still seems happy enough enough (How do i really know) as in he is very inquisitive when you open his box it doesnt seem too be distressed at all though i am concerned about the feeding i had hoped he would have started to eat on his own by now since he has tasted food am i just defying nature by helping him to eat ? also if it is spinal bone problem can the snake survive cause i dont think it is abcesses |
| matty18714 |
Posted - 07/11/2009 : 16:31:48
quote:
Originally posted by hiper2009
Take it in to a herp vet to be looked at 
As horrible as this may sound, its unlikely I would ever take a hatchling to a vet unless it was something that could be treated through antibiotics. (But in this example we dont know the problem, the cause and therefore the treatment.)
Of course this is my view, the owner should do what she thinks is best. |
| hiper2009 |
Posted - 07/11/2009 : 16:25:56
Take it in to a herp vet to be looked at |
| KITTYCAT |
Posted - 07/11/2009 : 14:27:07
Sorry forgot to say i'll try n put up some pics in the next few days it was just fed this morning took me an hour n half so i dont want to risk it regurgitating |
| KITTYCAT |
Posted - 07/11/2009 : 14:24:37
Its more like lumps on the spine there is about 3-4 of them evenly spaced and they are hard its is a hatchling born 2nd september it has never eaten on its own i have to cut half a pinkie into small pieces gently open its mouth and feed it the pinkie rub under its neck to get it 2 swallow its is getting better at this but shows absolutley no intrest in taking food normally. Me n my partner both wonder if by doing this we are forcing it to stay alive |
