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Hissyfit
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2214 Posts |
 Posted - 16/03/2013 : 17:26:48
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I'm with SB on this and can't see why you're so worried. She's really not that small for her age, and no matter what the Vet tells you I wouldn't feed her twice a week, as once every 5 days will be fine for her. Try not to worry about her weight too much, she'll grow in no time, so don't be put off handling her until she's a certain weight. It might be worth removing the aspen from her viv and putting her on kitchen roll, that way you can safely feed her in the viv without worrying about the substrate being eaten  I have the 24" monkfield, great little vivs  |
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NatalieC
Egg
United Kingdom
88 Posts |
Posted - 16/03/2013 : 19:08:12
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| I also agree with Smart bunny, Fi. When I got Phoenix he was just 7g, and only being fed once a week just like Cathy but he's not underweight. I've changed this feeding plan to every 5 days, he was fed this morning for the second time and he gobbled it down. If the tongs in the RUB don't go to plan, just try putting the pinkie down and letting Cathy to get it herself in the RUB, this is what I do with Phoenix and he was a lot quicker then the first time I fed him. I also weighed him yesterday and hes now up to 9g, so don't worry about feeding Cathy 2 pinkies a week as she'll probably put weight on just fine with 1 pinkie every 5 days |
0.0.1 Corn snake- Phoenix
1.0.0 Syrain hamster- Elvis
1.0.0 Cocker Spaniel- Jenson
0.0.8 Goldfish (in a pond) |
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 16/03/2013 : 20:21:58
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I know where you are coming from NatalieC, but we think Cathy could be up to 19 weeks old, which is not what I was told either by the breeder. She is a very active girl, so keeping the calories in her is what we are trying to do.
I have had such fab support from you, everyone on this forum that has helped and paulie78 especially. Going to go with what the herp vet says, as she is quite long and obviously not a real "baby" so tomorrow night, mood lighting and dinner a la coconut to see how it goes!
The herp vet has pictures, lengths, and weight and he just wants her up to about 15g, then the RUB it is. I did try leaving her in the RUB the first time, but was willing to do anything to get her to take her food, that is why she had it off her coconut shell - as long as I put paper towel under and around it the vet is satisfied that she won't ingest stubstrate. Thank you all so much for helping, it really has helped so much 
My apologies hissyfit - I didn't see your reply, ergo the edit. The reason that the herp vet suggested we might need to go to 2 feeds a week was because she is so active, and he has information about the breeder that he can't share with me due to the data protection act, so with help on here and his guidance, we will get this young lady up and running for sure - thank you again for all your help too.
I guess the reason I am a little neurotic is that Cathy was the only pet that fit the bill for me as I am disabled and would be something I could look after myself, as I can't take a dog for a walk, etc 
smartbunny - I didn't see your reply either. My apologies. Cathy's records were falsified and she is older than than I was told, that is why her feeding is an issue with the vet. I would have been happy with every 5 days, but he has her actual records which he can't share with me, (data protection) so he wants to keep an eye on her for her first 4 weeks with me. I know I have been going on about it so will stop as I do like it here and don't want people to get irritated with me |
0.1.0 Snow - Cathy (digesting, waiting for her photo op)
0.1.0 Carolina - Delilah
0.1.0 King Charles Cavalier - Emily
0.1.0 St Bernard - Pooch
0.1.0 Manx Cat - Maggie
0.0.1 HUGE tropical fish tank + residents
1.0.0 Husband (thinks I am insane)
3.2.0 Children (think I am cool!)
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Edited by - Foxtrotsierra on 16/03/2013 20:35:37 |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 16/03/2013 : 20:47:49
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Please don't worry about people getting irritated with you Fi. By the sounds of it you have more reason to be concerned about your new snake than the average owner, so you're allowed to go on about it!!
There will always be conflicting advice, and for most of us we would automatically feel that feeding more than every 5 days is too much....it doesn't give the snake enough time to digest and recover from feeding before having its next meal. BUT these circumstances are obviously different and you need to trust the herp vet. I'm not saying that lightly, I've known vets give dodgy advice, but he obviously has knowledge about Cathy's background and experience in dealing with these sort of situations. Hopefully she will respond well in these next few weeks and you can then change her to a more 'normal' feeding routine.
I totally understand your situation with her, I am the same....unable to get out and therefore my snakes are MY snakes, that I can care for and look after with only a little help. It means so much to be able to do that and I know how much it helps having those times of 'snake therapy' when I handle them. But I think it does maybe make you that bit more paranoid about them. They bring you so much joy but they are your responsibility, you want to do what is best for them and YOU want to be the one doing it....I hope I'm making sense!
PLEASE keep asking questions and talk about your worries. It's no use just bottling up how you're feeling. That's what this forum is here for, not just to give advice but to support people too.
I know that Cathy is truly blessed to have you as her owner, especially with her questionable past, and you are giving her the best start in life you can. Trust yourself that you can do that....because you can.
Xxx
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 16/03/2013 : 20:54:22
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Fi, we are not getting irritated with you at all!! Just trying to reassure you :) most people are very nervous with their 1st snake, and all the 'firsts' that come with it, 1st feed, first shed etc. All I was really wanting to point out is that she has already had that 1st feed so just carry on
as you are, you are obviously doing things right :D |
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 16/03/2013 : 21:09:14
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| Thanks so much guys, I think I am getting irritated at myself to be honest! I am just cross that I went to what I thought was a reputable breeder and opened a real Pandora's Box. The herp vet is fantastic, so with a bit of common sense, and support on here, my neuroses are getting much less. He thinks she could be as much as 6 months old, and 9g is why he told me to get food into her any way I can. She has already eaten, so I feel confident that she will again tomorrow. The twice weekly feed is a REAL last option, and I have every faith that she won't need it, especially now I have a really good food supply for her. Right, thank you so much all of you for listening to me, I am off to my bed before my head explodes!! |
0.1.0 Snow - Cathy (digesting, waiting for her photo op)
0.1.0 Carolina - Delilah
0.1.0 King Charles Cavalier - Emily
0.1.0 St Bernard - Pooch
0.1.0 Manx Cat - Maggie
0.0.1 HUGE tropical fish tank + residents
1.0.0 Husband (thinks I am insane)
3.2.0 Children (think I am cool!)
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lupi lou
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3670 Posts |
Posted - 16/03/2013 : 22:14:50
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we all as snake owners worry more than is probably necessary if we didn't we wouldn't have this forum to keep our neurotic tendency's in check 
If it makes you feel any better many people have been given the wrong advice at least you have found this site and a good vet.
Don't worry too much if Cathy seems to take a while to gain weight, my Jinx was fed on a maintenance diet before i got him and he is a bit small for a yearling but that said he is also very active and probably uses more energy on exploring than on growing As long as Cathy is eating, pooing and shedding try not to worry too much and enjoy the company of Cathy |
 
1.0.1 Corns
0.1.0 Dog: springer
1.0.0 Horse
0.4.0 Gerbils
2.2.0 Leopard gecko
0.2.0 Cave gecko |
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LukeW
Hatchling
United Kingdom
276 Posts |
Posted - 16/03/2013 : 23:32:56
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Fi, ill give you a tip dont stress, i took my first corn back to the shop due to him being a non eater and sold to me by mistake by the owners son, he gave me the one i have now he did warn me that it eats like a pig and how right he was, when i only give him the 2 pinkies and he realises hes not getting more he goes and sulks in his hide :p.
When i first got him home i was very stressed that this one wouldnt feed for me but as soon as i gave him his first pinkie it was gone by the time i turned round! He is a very unpredictable character one day he will hide other days youll see him out and about and when i get him out he does not want to go back in the little blighter!
Anyway sorry for the huge essay, just keep calm Fi and do what is needed to get Cathy to eat, it doesnt matter how she eats, when she eats or where aslong as she eats and keeps it down! :) |
Female normal - Cyrus (can't think of a girl name :p)
Male charcoal - Midnight
Female amel - Lilly
Female CB13 anery 100% het sunkissed - Ariel.
Male CB13 fire 100% het stripe, 50% het hypo, anery and lavender
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Moppet
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3315 Posts |
Posted - 16/03/2013 : 23:45:36
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I kinda know how you feel. Apollo was nearly a year old when I got him and still only 17g after being fed on 'maintenance diet' by petshop, only one pinky every 7-14 days! Poor little guy. I fed him every 3-5 days for the first few months until he was less of a triangle shape (underweight). He's doing great now and is on smalls!
Good luck feeding little Cathy up It sounds like she's found a good home with you. |
2.4.0 Corn snakes
1.0.0 horse
0.1.0 Golden retriever
1.4.0 Guinea pigs |
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2013 : 07:23:26
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Thank you so much everyone with putting up with my little *meltdown* last night over her feeding. It was just that I had had an email from her vet and he told me what he could explicitly asking to read between the lines as he was bound by data protection over what he could tell me.
I know the struggle you had LukeW and am over the moon that you have got your little Cyrus now.
The reason for the semi losing of the plot is that when I was well, I was a registered foster "Mum" for dogs and have had over 20 placements before I had my back injury that put me in a wheelchair, and out of those, I lost 1. Not going into details, but the previous owner is not allowed to keep animals or reptiles by order of the court for the rest of their lives.
I took on the older, straggly dogs that nobody would look twice at when going to get a rescue dog, and would feed them up, get them trained (I had to toilet train a 10 year old lurcher - NO mean feat!), but I still feel for the one I couldn't save, even with daily trips to the vet who is quite literally a 5 minute walk away.
I was just genuinely taken aback when told how old Cathy was as opposed to what I was told she should be - even in the lower acceptable range she is underweight and then some. The forum member paulie78 has been fantastic, as he had a hatchie that weighed 4g and she is a beautiful, healthy girl now.
I have to make a confession - ALL our pets are just as pampered as Cathy is
The dogs (we have 2 girls, both rescue) are ladies of leisure with umm, doggie electric blankets on thermostat, the cat even though she doesn't look like it is like the one you see on the adverts being smothered to heaven with love, and as for the husband and his fish? Worse than with the dogs and cat, you get the picture!
So yes, I would like to apologise for the meltdown over Cathy's weight and finding out her age and what range she should be in, it was a bit of a shock
So tonight, as per last Tuesday, mood lighting, towel, and dinner from a new source! (which will take her to her first ever 5 day apart feed). Having a snow has made it easier as the vet has said when she is clear looking - feeding time
I am not going to weigh her until the 8th of April (I will have had her a month by then, as per the vet's request), and he wants records of the weight of her prey and if she is taking it. It is only going to be after the 8th that he will decide if she needs to go up to a 4 day feed, I am going to leave that one in his hands, as he has trained long and hard for his degree, I am just a pet owner with a bit of intuition.
Oh, and if anyone is interested, the new flowers I bought for her home? Heaven! She loves winding round them - think I have a bit of climber on my hands so when she is ready for her "big girl home", going to put plenty in for her to play round with in that respect. Think my husband is going to regret letting me get her! He has been fantastic and although not particularly interested in her,  has been really supportive when I have shown him the vet correspondence.
So, after what could be said with a simple "Thank you", thank you guys
(Edited to actually answer the question a couple of you asked, the reason I was stressing is that we are dropping her feeding schedule very quickly. She has been on 7 day feeds since she was born, and happily took her first 6 day feed with me, and tonight will be her first 5 day one which is the Holy Grail of feeding that I am looking for for her.) |
0.1.0 Snow - Cathy (digesting, waiting for her photo op)
0.1.0 Carolina - Delilah
0.1.0 King Charles Cavalier - Emily
0.1.0 St Bernard - Pooch
0.1.0 Manx Cat - Maggie
0.0.1 HUGE tropical fish tank + residents
1.0.0 Husband (thinks I am insane)
3.2.0 Children (think I am cool!)
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Edited by - Foxtrotsierra on 17/03/2013 07:30:55 |
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LukeW
Hatchling
United Kingdom
276 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2013 : 10:25:05
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Glad to hear your not feeling as stressed :)
Cyrus only has the one plant atm which he loves, was going to buy him more stuff but due to loosing my job i have a lack of funds, but as soon as im working again i plan on spoiling him :), not sure if this is the case for most people but now im not working cyrus is more of a frind than an animal, p.s he always comes out of hiding when i start playing call of duty on xbox, i barely have the sound on! Guess hes just a strange snakey :) |
Female normal - Cyrus (can't think of a girl name :p)
Male charcoal - Midnight
Female amel - Lilly
Female CB13 anery 100% het sunkissed - Ariel.
Male CB13 fire 100% het stripe, 50% het hypo, anery and lavender
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2013 : 11:20:15
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quote:
Originally posted by LukeW
Glad to hear your not feeling as stressed :)
Cyrus only has the one plant atm which he loves, was going to buy him more stuff but due to loosing my job i have a lack of funds, but as soon as im working again i plan on spoiling him :), not sure if this is the case for most people but now im not working cyrus is more of a frind than an animal, p.s he always comes out of hiding when i start playing call of duty on xbox, i barely have the sound on! Guess hes just a strange snakey :)
Aw, am really sorry to hear you lost your job hun, that is a real downer. My son got made redundant a few weeks ago, but found work within 2 weeks, so will have everything crossed for you.
Oh, I am afraid I have gone to the darkside, I am a PS3 girl! Cathy loves Assassin's Creed 3, so Cyrus isn't alone in his love for gaming - I guess we just have snakes with personalities! She also seems to like the really bad B Movies they play on the Syfy channel too - the disaster ones seem to catch her attention for sure!
I feel much more confident this morning, have got everything planned out for tonight's dinner for her, and my youngest is going to help me as I think he is more interested in what her dinner looks like than anything else, lol!
Good luck on the job front, and would love to know how you get on, so please let us know |
0.1.0 Snow - Cathy (digesting, waiting for her photo op)
0.1.0 Carolina - Delilah
0.1.0 King Charles Cavalier - Emily
0.1.0 St Bernard - Pooch
0.1.0 Manx Cat - Maggie
0.0.1 HUGE tropical fish tank + residents
1.0.0 Husband (thinks I am insane)
3.2.0 Children (think I am cool!)
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LukeW
Hatchling
United Kingdom
276 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2013 : 13:18:18
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| Tonight on the menu its pinkie on toast :p |
Female normal - Cyrus (can't think of a girl name :p)
Male charcoal - Midnight
Female amel - Lilly
Female CB13 anery 100% het sunkissed - Ariel.
Male CB13 fire 100% het stripe, 50% het hypo, anery and lavender
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2013 : 13:22:28
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quote:
Originally posted by LukeW
Tonight on the menu its pinkie on toast :p
Well, for Cathy it is pinkie on coco shell with paper underneath, and for my son? Well! You never know with him! (I should say, that is my youngest, I have 3 sons and a daughter). They all love her but only the youngest is in the least bit interested in her dinner |
0.1.0 Snow - Cathy (digesting, waiting for her photo op)
0.1.0 Carolina - Delilah
0.1.0 King Charles Cavalier - Emily
0.1.0 St Bernard - Pooch
0.1.0 Manx Cat - Maggie
0.0.1 HUGE tropical fish tank + residents
1.0.0 Husband (thinks I am insane)
3.2.0 Children (think I am cool!)
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LukeW
Hatchling
United Kingdom
276 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2013 : 13:37:31
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| If cathy dont eat it, offer it your son with chips and beans yummy :p |
Female normal - Cyrus (can't think of a girl name :p)
Male charcoal - Midnight
Female amel - Lilly
Female CB13 anery 100% het sunkissed - Ariel.
Male CB13 fire 100% het stripe, 50% het hypo, anery and lavender
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2013 : 13:41:49
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quote:
Originally posted by LukeW
If cathy dont eat it, offer it your son with chips and beans yummy :p
LOL! Fingers crossed she will as I am starting her on her first ever 5 day feed tonight and have got some food from a different source than she has had before. Have been in contact with the herp vet where I live and he thinks just go for it. If she doesn't, will send it to you for tomorrow night's dinner |
0.1.0 Snow - Cathy (digesting, waiting for her photo op)
0.1.0 Carolina - Delilah
0.1.0 King Charles Cavalier - Emily
0.1.0 St Bernard - Pooch
0.1.0 Manx Cat - Maggie
0.0.1 HUGE tropical fish tank + residents
1.0.0 Husband (thinks I am insane)
3.2.0 Children (think I am cool!)
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Hissyfit
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2214 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2013 : 13:51:24
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I can understand why you are so worried now. Such a shame the breeder wasn't honest with you, but I'm sure Cathy will thrive in your care and it'll be lovely when you can relax and enjoy her without all the worry Good luck with her feed, hope it goes well
Hope the job hunting goes well for you Luke W and you find something soon |
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LukeW
Hatchling
United Kingdom
276 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2013 : 14:08:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Foxtrotsierra
quote:
Originally posted by LukeW
If cathy dont eat it, offer it your son with chips and beans yummy :p
LOL! Fingers crossed she will as I am starting her on her first ever 5 day feed tonight and have got some food from a different source than she has had before. Have been in contact with the herp vet where I live and he thinks just go for it. If she doesn't, will send it to you for tomorrow night's dinner
Now you've said that she will eat it :D, and thanks hissy, ive applied/enquired at 25 jobs in about 4 days its just a waiting game if not i may have to sell my bottom :p |
Female normal - Cyrus (can't think of a girl name :p)
Male charcoal - Midnight
Female amel - Lilly
Female CB13 anery 100% het sunkissed - Ariel.
Male CB13 fire 100% het stripe, 50% het hypo, anery and lavender
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2013 : 14:10:41
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Hissyfit, it is a little worse than we first thought. As per forum rules, I am NOT going to possibly slander anyone, but Cathy is actually nearer 26 weeks old. The vet has been in contact with me this morning via email. So, without drowning the thread in text, I am going with the (probably excessive) lighting etc and going for her first 5 day feed tonight with a new food source.
I am going to have everything crossed that she takes it, and when she does, keep everything crossed for LukeW getting a job too |
0.1.0 Snow - Cathy (digesting, waiting for her photo op)
0.1.0 Carolina - Delilah
0.1.0 King Charles Cavalier - Emily
0.1.0 St Bernard - Pooch
0.1.0 Manx Cat - Maggie
0.0.1 HUGE tropical fish tank + residents
1.0.0 Husband (thinks I am insane)
3.2.0 Children (think I am cool!)
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LukeW
Hatchling
United Kingdom
276 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2013 : 14:43:40
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| Good luck! How do you defrost your pinkies? Some people say if you do it a certain way it will smell more and the snake will be attracted more :), when i defrost mine i put them in a food bag then put them in warm water (put cold water in a cup then add small amounts of kettle boiled water, be careful not to make the water too hot) leave for abit untill the pinkie in soft, wipe with some tissue and feed! |
Female normal - Cyrus (can't think of a girl name :p)
Male charcoal - Midnight
Female amel - Lilly
Female CB13 anery 100% het sunkissed - Ariel.
Male CB13 fire 100% het stripe, 50% het hypo, anery and lavender
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My husband has caved in..
