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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
 Posted - 17/03/2013 : 15:35:23
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I actually defrost mine in cold water, so that there is no chance of the warm water cooking it in any way. There is SO much conflicting advice on how to defrost mice, I just asked the vet I have been in contact with over Cathy, and that is what he told me to do. Then I use my tongs to pop it on her coco hide , put some kitchen paper under it, put it back in (all at room temperature). It worked for her first feed, so fingers crossed for tonight  |
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 : 17:26:13
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| You can do it that way also but i find it takes a long time :) |
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 : 19:18:45
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quote:
Originally posted by LukeW
You can do it that way also but i find it takes a long time :)
I know, but to be honest, half of the reason for me getting Cathy was having something to do, so I can spoil her with my attention. I am in a wheelchair and have epilepsy so have to spend a lot of time in bed anyway- getting up to do things for her is really liberating for me. And I promise not to send her stinky pinky over if she doesn't eat tonight for your tea tomorrow  |
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 - 18/03/2013 : 00:42:43
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| Ok thank you :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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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 18/03/2013 : 07:03:20
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| Fi - whatever the truth of Cathy's background, she is an active lively snake so is obviously not ill (I've had a non-feeder who became very limp, skinny and lifeless until I finally started assist feeding and is now doing great), and is now lucky enough to have been bought by a very caring owner who will do everything possible to make sure she is happy - so she is definitely going to be OK now :D |
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 18/03/2013 : 07:33:13
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Thank you smart bunny. Cathy had her first ever 5 day feed last night and although the RUB and tongs wasn't happening (she was more interested in climbing up the tongs to play, lol!) I went for the lighting and towel and well, a ninja feeder she is not
The racket coming out of her viv was hillarious last night. One pinkie taken very noisily, and no signs of a regurge so far.
She currently appears to be digesting happily in her warm hide so I am beyond pleased, given it is the first time she has ever had a 5 day one and took it (admittedly under cover of darkness/black towel!).
HUGE thank you to everyone for their help, advice and support |
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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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 18/03/2013 : 08:27:44
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Smart Bunny talks a lot of sense Fi....you just need to believe it !
I'm SO glad that last night's feed was such a success. I know she is still hidden away to eat, but that's a necessity and going by what a character she is I'm sure it won't be long before she's happy to eat with you watching her. Baby steps now will be worth it later, as you know.
And no need for thanks....the forum is here to give help and support. So many of us have been where you are in some way or another, asking for help and needing the forum to keep us sane  !
Xxx
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 18/03/2013 : 08:42:37
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You BOTH talk a lot of sense, and I do believe it for sure. I was just so angry at being hoodwinked as to Cathy's date of birth etc.
She is doing exactly what she did after her last feed, so no panic, just a content Mum! So pleased that I have (hopefully) got her down to a better feeding schedule. I changed her water just before I fed her so she is going to have a good 24 hours before I need to open her viv to give her fresh water, and I couldn't be happier.
Tempting as it is, I am not going to weigh her until I have had her a month, but am keeping a record of her prey weights too, so hopefully I can equate total amount of prey into grams gained over a month.
You have all been fantastic and amazingly tolerable of a first time "Mum" who got something she wasn't bargaining for xxx |
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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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 18/03/2013 : 10:02:03
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Unfortunately you aren't the first, and won't be the last, to be in this sort of situation Fi. Cathy is just lucky she has come to an owner who has taken such care in finding out what's going on, instead of going to someone who just took everything at face value.
It's a good idea to wait a month before weighing her....at her age the weight gain is going to be small and it would just stress you out seeing so little going on each time you weighed her. I weigh the mice I give mine, mainly because I've had a sickly snake that I've had to bring on by slowly moving her up in size by gram rather than prey size! But it sounds like Cathy is going to be a good feeder, with the way she made it obvious she was eating that pinkie  . Please don't get too hung up on working out links between her weight and what she's eaten. When you weigh her you have to be aware that it is almost an approximate weight, as it can easily be effected by whether she needs a poo or even whether she's just had a drink of water. I know, because of her situation, how important all of this is to you....but as long as she is eating, drinking, pooing and behaving normally be happy .
Xxx
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 18/03/2013 : 10:12:46
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Thank you for those lovely words of advice Kellog. I genuinely hadn't factored drinking or having a poo into the equation! In fairness, with her being a snow, it is quite easy to see if she has 
She is about 26 weeks old as I have said, not the 15 I was told, so am just thrilled that she has eaten, especially as I found a new source for her dinner too.
I genuinely feel a lot more relaxed about it all now. She has had 2 feeds at home, she is comfy in her warm hide (I had a peek without opening her viv) so I am a happy Mum.
Just so glad I found this forum and signed up before I got her, I would have been lost without all the actual "hands on" advice I have been given, as all the books and reading I have found doesn't have a "what to do if your snake is 10 weeks older and grossly underweight" section! It is the hands on advice of people that have been through it that has kept me from tearing my hair out! |
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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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 19/03/2013 : 02:21:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Foxtrotsierra
........I genuinely feel a lot more relaxed about it all now. She has had 2 feeds at home, she is comfy in her warm hide (I had a peek without opening her viv) so I am a happy Mum.
Just so glad I found this forum and signed up before I got her, I would have been lost without all the actual "hands on" advice I have been given, as all the books and reading I have found doesn't have a "what to do if your snake is 10 weeks older and grossly underweight" section! It is the hands on advice of people that have been through it that has kept me from tearing my hair out!
I'm so glad you are feeling happier about everything Fi. She has eaten well for the 1st couple of feeds you've given her, and that doesn't always happen so you're already doing well  .
I felt exactly the same as you do about the forum, and still do. They kept me sane when I got my 1st corn and he refused his 1st feed with me....and his 2nd and his 3rd and continued to refuse to eat for 13 weeks  ! It was explained to me that it wasn't anything I was doing wrong and that he was just thinking of females and not of food . You can imagine my shock when he finally decided to eat. It helps so much being able to 'talk' to people who know about snakes, who can tell you what they think is going on, can reassure you and don't get too cross when you drive them mad  !! It was over 4yrs ago for me, at least.....and they haven't been able to get rid of me since .
Xxx
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 19/03/2013 : 06:56:20
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Thank you so much Kellog. Who knows? When I have got my head round this all a bit more, I will hopefully be in a situation to help anyone that has been sold a corn that turns out to be a different age and weight to what they thought.
Her ladyship is being as good as gold, happily digesting away in her warm hide. I am looking forwards to Friday night (food time again) to see if she will go for the tongs, or we have to do the "make a racket under cover of pretend darkness" again
Tomorrow morning I can hopefully get her out for a little photoshoot, and if nobody has any objections, I can show the difference in her already. I have one picture from when I got her and it isn't the nicest as you can see a ridge on her spine, but that has now gone, and that was before this feed.
The reason I didn't get too snap happy is because I was going for her first ever 5 day one, and wanted to keep her as settled as I could before Sunday. She is still as nosey, and into interior design as ever, but the difference 2 meals have made is unbelievable |
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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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 19/03/2013 : 07:51:37
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It's very true that in time you will have valuable experience to pass on to others who may find themselves in a similar situation.....it's how we all learn. And you seem like the sort of person who is learning as much as possible about your snake and what's happened and how to put it right, exactly what others need to be taught. And you also seem like the sort of person who would be able to help and support, which not everyone can do.
I'm glad that Cathy is doing as expected . It is just baby steps at the moment, trying her with the tongs but not expecting too much. As I've said before, she seems such a character that I think once she's got into a good feeding response you won't have any problem with getting her to take from tongs and maybe even moving her to feed in a separate tub....but that is for the future, all the is important is that she's eating, however noisily she does it .
I think it would be great to see 'before and after' pics. I know I'm very interested to see what sort of state she was in and to see what she's like now, after only a couple of feeds. I think you were very sensible not to intrude on her too much by taking pics. You have many years ahead to take lots and lots and lots of photos....so as long as you get a few, just to document how she's doing, then it's all good .
Xxx
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 19/03/2013 : 08:38:44
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I have a little notebook Kellog that I bought to (I thought at the time) keep her feeding and shedding records in.
Well, it has got space for that but it has got a LOT of information I have gleaned from here in it too now, for quick reference if I don't have the computer on.
As I changed her feeding schedule quite radically and very quickly, I actually leave her for roughly 60 hours (I fed her Sunday night, so will have a play on Wednesday morning) just to be on the safe side and give her time to allow her gut to adjust to the different schedule. If she looks like she is about to relieve herself, I leave her be until she has, as I imagine it would be quite uncomfortable for her. Just fresh water daily until then, and spot cleaning of her viv.
I am genuinely taken aback by how much help is freely given on here, it is amazing. I can take what I feel is more relevant to Cathy, and leave what might work in another case.
Am looking forwards to seeing how she looks after this meal, the "loaf of bread" is starting to appear, and it is such a lovely sight to see.
If she is up for it I shall get the camera at the ready tomorrow, so you can see why I was borderline hysterical the other night 
It has been such a learning curve, but hopefully in time, I will be in a position to help others. |
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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Razee
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2525 Posts |
Posted - 19/03/2013 : 09:34:35
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I have notebooks for both of mine, too :-). Not just for feeding and shedding records, I put their handling, poops, when blue, when clear, and any unusual behaviour in them... needles to say, Bazilishka is on notebook n.3 ( am sad, I know )
It's amazing to read some of the first things I'd written - I cringe. I wasn't fortunate enough to find this forum, until I'd had Baz for a couple of months ( and it took me well over a year to pick up the courage to join, mainly because I could find all the answers already on the forum ). I thought I'd done ok , as I read several books on corn snakes, before getting Baz, and thought I was well prepared... until I got her. If it hadn't been for this forum, poor Bazilishka may well have been cooked on a giant heatmat without thermostat by now.
Don't worry about Cathy too much ( I know it's easy to say, I was exactly the same ), she seems to be doing just fine - and enjoy it, whilst she's teeny, they grow up before you know it. That's where taking lots of pictures comes in - something to look back on later :-) |
0.1.0 late CB10 Carolina corn snake - Bazilishka
1.0.0 CB11 Abbots Okeetee- Little Twiddler
1.0.0 CB11 Hypo corn- Sebastianek
1.0.0. CB14 Butter Motley - Squidwood
0.0.2 CB18 normal/ Okeetee yearlings Bunny and Lalalishka
0.0.1 hognose
0.1.0 stable cat
0.1.0 house cat |
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 19/03/2013 : 09:52:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Razee
I have notebooks for both of mine, too :-). Not just for feeding and shedding records, I put their handling, poops, when blue, when clear, and any unusual behaviour in them... needles to say, Bazilishka is on notebook n.3 ( am sad, I know )
It's amazing to read some of the first things I'd written - I cringe. I wasn't fortunate enough to find this forum, until I'd had Baz for a couple of months ( and it took me well over a year to pick up the courage to join, mainly because I could find all the answers already on the forum ). I thought I'd done ok , as I read several books on corn snakes, before getting Baz, and thought I was well prepared... until I got her. If it hadn't been for this forum, poor Bazilishka may well have been cooked on a giant heatmat without thermostat by now.
Don't worry about Cathy too much ( I know it's easy to say, I was exactly the same ), she seems to be doing just fine - and enjoy it, whilst she's teeny, they grow up before you know it. That's where taking lots of pictures comes in - something to look back on later :-)
Thank you SO much for saying the first bit Razee - I have put notes about that too in mine, but wasn't brave enough to say! I even have her favourite viv temp in
As a first time snake owner, I just thought the more info the better if she became unwell. As I mentioned I have been leaving her about 60 hours after a feed for handling due to her radical diet change and so far so good.
She popped out for a little peek before, and is looking fantastic (even with her dinner bulge ) . I do wonder why I got a snow as a first corn, but it is a good thing, as I know when she is full, or about to go to the toilet.
I had read lots on the forum before I signed up, which was before I got her too. There just wasn't a "what to do if your corn snake is 10 weeks older than you thought and severely underweight" section!
I have had some amazing advice, and people have been so gracious in putting up with my constant panic attacks over her.
I can't say much, but you might have gathered that the breeder isn't what I thought, and it has had a bit of a knock on effect. Trying to get a 6 month old corn who was in the single figures up to a decent weight is a challenge, but one that with everyone's help and advice I am willing to take on head first |
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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Blackcat
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1235 Posts |
Posted - 19/03/2013 : 15:10:13
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How have I missed this thread?
I got my hatchling Morse for christmas 2011, he/she was approx 2months old and weighed just 7g, by the middle of January 2012, due to a couple of regurges had dropped to 5g.(you have to leave at least 10 days after a regurge before offering food again to allow stomach to settle) It was the beginning of April before he/she reached the grand weight of 10g and was by then 6 months old.
I also had another hatchling of much the same age which weighed in at: 24g
I was always comparing the two (and still do) and stressed about Morse (ask smart bunny)
They are both doing well, but are both still very different in weights, even though fed at the same time scale, but as every one will tell you they all grow at different rates.
For your info, snakes are now approx 18 months old, Morse weighs 116g and Zeus weighs 210g
Please don't stress Cathy will be fine, you are doing all possible to increase her weight and have had some really good advice and help from this wonderful forum |
0.0.2 Corn snakes - Morse & Zeus
1.1.0 Brazillian Rainbow Boa's - Indigo & Ruby
0.0.2 Columbian Rainbow Boa's - Orinoco & Tobago
1.0.0 House snake - Hoggle
0.1.0 Crested Gecko - Ludo
2.0.0 cats (RIP Zebee), 0.1.0 Dog, 2.0.0 Horses |
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mrsbunt
Hatchling
United Kingdom
280 Posts |
Posted - 19/03/2013 : 15:46:35
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| by the sounds of it cathy is lucky to have you as her "mum" you seem to be doing everything possible to give her the best start that she seemed to miss with the breeder. I just don't understand why people feel the need to misguide others. it's not fair on the new owner or the snake. good luck on your adventure with little miss cathy |
hubby bunt (Graeme),3 daughters Amy, Lisa and Erin.
1 amel corn Sheldon and 1 normal corn Toby Larone.
1 staffy cross Kaiser |
Edited by - mrsbunt on 19/03/2013 15:47:04 |
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LukeW
Hatchling
United Kingdom
276 Posts |
Posted - 19/03/2013 : 16:54:38
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| Is it vital to know how old your corn snake is? Mines still considdered a hatchling i think as hes only about 16g and eating 2 pinkies every 6 days |
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 - 20/03/2013 : 07:28:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Blackcat
How have I missed this thread?
I got my hatchling Morse for christmas 2011, he/she was approx 2months old and weighed just 7g, by the middle of January 2012, due to a couple of regurges had dropped to 5g.(you have to leave at least 10 days after a regurge before offering food again to allow stomach to settle) It was the beginning of April before he/she reached the grand weight of 10g and was by then 6 months old.
I also had another hatchling of much the same age which weighed in at: 24g
I was always comparing the two (and still do) and stressed about Morse (ask smart bunny)
They are both doing well, but are both still very different in weights, even though fed at the same time scale, but as every one will tell you they all grow at different rates.
For your info, snakes are now approx 18 months old, Morse weighs 116g and Zeus weighs 210g
Please don't stress Cathy will be fine, you are doing all possible to increase her weight and have had some really good advice and help from this wonderful forum
I am glad you missed it the other night Blackcat - I was genuinely having a mini meltdown. It was when I found out she was 10 weeks older than I was told and she was 9g when I weighed her on the 8th of March when I got her home. She had had a regurge too, and had been left her 10 days (which I didn't know at the time).
I was so angry that even though I have experience of boas, but the big placid and fully grown kind, the breeder had been untruthful about Cathy's age to start with. As she was my first snake, I was hoping for what I was promised, a 14/15 week old that fed well.
On the other hand, I am glad you found it now, as it shows something that I had a little hunch on. Cathy NEVER stops when she is not digesting. She is moving her viv round, and when she comes out she is happy to be out for as long as we let her. I swear I get "the look" when it is time for her to go back into her viv
Even with little Morse's problems, he still weighed more than Cathy did, and I guess that snakes are like humans, and most other species - some are always going to be on the slender side, whereas some will fall more into the acceptable range. I am just glad that she is eating, so far so good, even if it is not how I would like to do it. She has been drop fed since she was born, and I have tried (unsuccessfully with tongs - she thinks they are an escape route at the moment) so on her coco hide with paper underneath and around so she doesn't ingest stubstrate.
Smartbunny and Kellog kept me completely sane and were so generous and kind with their advice, as was Georgina.
Mrs Bunt I am in total agreement. If the breeder was truthful with me, I think I would have still taken her but would have been a little more prepared. Cathy is my first ever snake, and it took some grinding down of my husband to get her believe you and me! He is really pleased with how I have been with her, and I am now finding him asking how she is and if she has kept her food down - NOT something I though I would hear from him!
LukeW Reading back on all the advice I wouldn't think so at all. Cyrus is a great weight for a hatchie, and you have had a successful home feed haven't you? I don't think it is imperative, but a 10 week difference is what annoyed me the most. I am going with the "as long as the little one is feeding well, the weight doesn't matter" theory now. I was just so angry that Cathy was 9g and 6 months old.
He is on a brilliant feed schedule, and something that I hope I can get Cathy on soon. I have had lots of help off a herp vet, which is why I am keeping the records I am. The vet has asked me to get her up to about 15/16g and then we are going to go for double pinkies. I was giggling in a good way when you said ONLY 16g - that is where I am trying to get Cathy!!
I got so wound up as I dropped her maintenance feed from 1 pinkie every 7 days to every 6 as soon as she got home, and then every 5 in succession. I feel like going and getting gold stars, as she has kept them down, and been so good.
As the diet change has been quite radical, I have been leaving her 60 hours after a feed before handling, just spot cleaning and fresh water in between, so this morning I am going to get her out for a photoshoot, and hopefully get a shot that will show why I was worried about 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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My husband has caved in..
