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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
 Posted - 22/03/2013 : 06:40:27
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I have the solution - FISH REHAB 
Joking aside, he looks after me (I have uncontrolled epilepsy, AND am in a wheelchair when out of the house) so I think he definitely deserves something a little special for what he does. Before things went down the drain for me (5 years ago for my back, 1 year ago for my epilepsy rearing its ugly head after 21 years of being controlled) I had a dog and marine fish tank. My dog went to doggy heaven 4 years ago, and I got the gentleman from the fish shop to take my fish away, as there was no way I could look after it myself.
Might sound odd, but my husband and I were childhood sweethearts, and he only found me 3 years ago after 19 years of looking 
I have a fairly sound knowledge of fish, but the practicalities of it are what stops me. I generally look after our foster fish and as we have an isolation tank, we can treat for all manner of things, and then re home them. People laugh at us like we are mad saying "they are only fish" but it doesn't matter to us, it is a sentient being, that for whatever reason needs looking after. We have a large tank as sometimes, as I mentioned, we get fish that have grown out of their tank. I really do wish people would research instead of buying *pretty fish* /sigh. I won't even GO there on the shop that sold said nephew TWO male Siamese fighting fish 
The market for corns on the Isle of Man is very different from what I can gather it is in the UK. I know for a fact, there is 1 corn snake legitimately for sale over her right at this moment (you have to be registered with our version of the RSPCA, called surprisingly the MSPCA!) and there are now no registered breeders - make of that what you will  .
The reasons I wouldn't dream of breeding Cathy is
1) She is a pet
2) I have NO idea what her poor start in life has done to her bones, and even if she could carry a clutch, and I don't want to find out just for "the experience".
3) Given the extensive reading I have done, most sources conclude that it shortens the life of a female - why would I knowingly do that to her?
I am getting excited as today is feeding day again. She got out for a good 20 minutes yesterday and had a right old roam around on the bed (on a towel). She seems to like a good stretch when she is out, so a stretch it is. She rocks her coco hide against the glass when she wants attention - crepuscular my behind! Just plain nosey! My daughter was in the room at the time so I think she just wanted to see somebody other than me - the towel theory proved correct. Popped her on the towel and off she went, over to see her and was up and round her neck to say "Hello!" in no time.
I have no shame in saying it - going with the towel and lighting again to see if she manages 2 consecutive 5 day feeds for the first time in her little life. To be quite honest, you have all given me so much reassurance and confidence that if she is a private eater, then so be it. I will just ensure she can't ingest stubstrate at the same time. I love looking at the feeding pictures that people put up, but if that is not what it is to be for me, then I haven't got a problem with it. I haven't even seen her drink, but I know she has been in there, given the mess she makes!
So, fingers crossed for a feed tonight - it will be the first ever 5 day consecutive one she has had in 6 months as I now have her proper feeding charts from when she was born. The new food source seems to be going down rather well. I am going on the theory that I would rather a refusal than a regurgitation. That would be the second best case scenario for me 
Edited to add, you will have to excuse me if my sentence structure and grammar doesn't flow too well, English isn't my first language!
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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 22/03/2013 06:56:32 |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 22/03/2013 : 09:23:02
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Whaaaat???? But your English is excellent! Ooooh I'm all curious nosy now, what is your first language?
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 22/03/2013 : 11:16:27
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quote:
Originally posted by smart bunny
Whaaaat???? But your English is excellent! Ooooh I'm all curious nosy now, what is your first language?
Most people don't usually realize unless I tell them, or they remark on how I speak (sentence wise, not my accent as it is very Manx - that is our local dialect).
I was born in Liverpool but a couple of months after that my parents and I moved to Malta, and grew up speaking exclusively Maltese and Arabic. I can understand, but not speak Italian too.
It was only when I came back to the British Isles when I was 9 (I am 39 now) that I learned to speak English, and believe you and me, it is one hard language to learn! Even after 30 years, I do still scratch my head over grammar especially from time to time |
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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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 22/03/2013 : 16:26:40
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| Wow, fascinating, so you moved around a bit then! So did you learn Manx as well? |
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 22/03/2013 : 16:43:41
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quote:
Originally posted by smart bunny
Wow, fascinating, so you moved around a bit then! So did you learn Manx as well?
I know a little bit, but generally it is a dead language, and a few words remain in circulation, mainly as colloquialisms more than anything. I went to evening classes as there is a resurgence in the language in the recent years, and as my husband is Manx through and through, and all my children are, I thought I should make the effort at the very least!
Ohh, as I have you here smart bunny, could I possibly as your advice on something Cathy related. She is currently housed in one of these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Monkfield-Terrainium-Snake-Vivarium-18inch/dp/B00AL2HNV6/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1363969863&sr=1-2
But every time I get her out (currently twice a day whilst she is not digesting, she makes it known she wants out by rattling her coco hide against the glass) I pop her on a towel on the bed and she stretches out for a good 5 minutes and has a right old roam around but at full length if you get what I mean.
As she is older than I first though, and has started to grow at an alarming rate, do you think I should get her a bigger viv? I had her out for half an hour this morning and she was most disgruntled when I popped her back in.
I have checked the temperatures, checked the humidity (we have central heating and didn't want the air to be *too* dry) and everything seems fine, but the space seems a bit of an issue. She is roughly the length of the viv now and I have read up on the general size she should be in, but she seems to enjoy stretching out, but doesn't have anywhere to do it in her current setup.
Is it paranoia setting in, or should I give it a try? She is going to need a bigger home soon anyway, her halfway house to her "big girl" home. Do you think it would be worth trying it out now?
If so, any suggestions? I like the Monkfield ones but am absolutely open to new ideas and suggestions. She likes climbing and I would like something a little higher for her so she can have some more toys to get round on. She loves curling up in her hides, but is the stretching out something corns do when out of the viv as opposed to when they are in the security of their homes. Yes, total n00b question |
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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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 22/03/2013 : 22:21:54
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Oops sorry, I was gone again by then lol! I think it's lovely that people are trying to keep the Manx language going :D
I tend to be one of those who prefers to give snakes a bit more space, but put loads of hides in... but saying that all my snakes have been in their 1st fauns until they were at least as long as length+width... but then with the 2 corns I did go straight to a 3ft viv rather than bother with an in-between size thinking that would be 'final home' size. Of course when it became apparent Corno was growing like a weed and Ember needed a new home, rather than get a second 3ft viv I then got a 4ft for Corno and moved Ember into Corno's vacated 3ft one. I really don't think Ember will ever be a big snake as she has always been significantly smaller, but I think Corno is going to be a big girl. Obviously I couldn't know this when they were little hatchlings...
I think as she is so new to you I would want to get her totally settled and in a definite good feeding pattern before moving her again, and as long as she isn't longer than 30 inches (which is length + width and you said she's only as long as the length) she will be fine in there for the time being. I love the look of the monkfields, and really wanted to get one, but I felt personally that they just aren't deep enough as corns do seem to climb if given the option. Others have corns in them perfectly happily though. I'm still really tempted to get 2ft ones for the housie and hoggie - but I've seen both of them climbing too so am still torn lol.
Why not give her a month and see how much she grows? Then she'll have a good background of feeds in her so if anything should happen when you move her up a size (eg just in case she doesn't like it and stops eating - unlikely but it sometimes happens) then you won't be worried about her losing any weight.
As for the stretching out - I think that's fairly normal if you put them on a flat suface such as a bed/the floor as they are probably trying to find 'the edge' of the large expanse (I could be talking total rubbish here lol!). I bet she curls around your fingers quite happily as well? |
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 23/03/2013 : 07:10:33
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Cathy must have known I was talking about moving her home as as if on cue, she didn't take her pinkie last night! Going to leave it until tomorrow night now. Her ladyship was most disgruntled as when I removed the pinkie, she equated that to "PLAYIME" mode and trying to persuade a little snake that no, it really wasn't playtime and she really should stay in her viv - well, at 6am I wish I had my camera ready as my husband's face said it all. I did point out on the flipside, if he had woken up with Cathy in our bed, he might have been even more annoyed, so I was OK with that.
One thing I did notice was that the pinkie was not as wide as her girth now is
I am wondering if she wasn't interested in her dinner as it wasn't big enough for her. I have found a supplier that will do mice to order size wise so, the benefit of your collective wisdom would really be appreciated.
She has been drop fed since birth, and as you know, is under weight. There is no chance on this planet that I am going to get her to take double pinkies off the tongs - this has been established with her putting her tail down completely on this one. Tongs are not for feeding, they are a ladder to freedom, regardless of what is on the end of them and where she is. Would it be worth drop feeding her a fuzzy? I don't like it, but it will get those valuable nutrients in. As she went into hyper playtime mode when I took the pinkie out this morning, I managed to get the discarded pinkie and her side by side, and the pinkie is less than her girth, so I am thinking faux pas on by behalf for not noticing the huge differences she has gone through.
My head is leaning towards drop feeding her the fuzzie around the 4/5g mark (so not quite a pinkie, but not quite a fuzzie either), as that would leave a bulge, but just a little one. As (per her name) she is quite stubborn currently on the feeding situation, I have got a feeling we might just have to bypass the double pinkies and get some small fuzzies done for her. Has anyone had any experience of this?
I do feel quite daft as I have had "pinkie, pinkie, pinkie, certain weight - then fuzzie, fuzzie, fuzzie" in mind, but she doesn't *fit* into any of the charts or such that I have read or seen.
Has anyone got any word of wisdom that they would care to share or advice they could give me on this one please? Cathy and I would be very grateful if you could
Edited to add - smart bunny, I think you are right. I might hold back on the larger viv as when I get her out I put her on a black towel (best colour for her!) on the bed and that is her playground. I don't believe that I am going to confess this, but I put some of her left over flowers, a loo roll or 2 and general bits and bobs for her to play with on it! She has a good old stretch, then an explore but in fairness to her, she seems to like making bracelets on anyone that will let her and has recently progressed to necklaces. One thing she doesn't do is curl up in anyone's hands, she likes to glide up arms and hair is fantastic if anyone will let her get that high up them. I usually wear mine in a plait, BIG mistake first time I let her up there! I have long hair which I have to wear down when she is out now as she stretches out up there. We have also found that she likes the mirror - she spent a good 3 minutes looking behind it for the "other" snake in the room, and was most upset at her inability to find it. I am totally convinced that I have been sold a snake/mammal hybrid that looks like a snake but acts like a, well, I am not too sure really! |
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 23/03/2013 07:22:05 |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 23/03/2013 : 09:01:52
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The problem I had with Ember (my long thin snake) was that I desparately wanted to get her onto bigger food as she was very skinny - but that was also the problem, the bigger food would have been too wide for her, so I had to settle for double pinks for quite a while. If Cathy can go up a bit in size then that's probably a good thing, especially if you can try a particularly small fuzzie to start with. I have also had several problems with Ember over the last year - she started off needing her food to be jiggled and then she would strike and coil - if I dropped it in front of her as I had always done with Corno she was not interested, and she has always been a bit of a fussy feeder. Then a little whle ago we could only get dark mice instead of her usual white ones... well, little miss fussy pants didn't like those at all (yes, people do comment on here about 'racist' snakes refusing black mice lol) and out of desparation one night I just shoved one in her hide with her and it was gone the next morning. Carried on for a couple of weeks - would NOT eat in the tub, only in her viv. As her tub is small compared with her viv I had been putting the tub in the viv with the mouse in it and it was going that way. Then one time when I had again been trying to get her to eat in her tub to no avail I put it back in her viv with her still in it - as soon as I closed the door she ate it in front of me :O Contrary little wotsit! She is now back to happily feeding in her tub - except last time she didn't strike, just took it gently for the first time ever. I'm sure she does it just to confuse me!!!
One thing to bear in mind though - how long have you had Cathy now? Do you know when her last shed was (not sure if you have got true records now or if they cannot be trusted). Having upped her food regime with you I doubt it will be long before she needs a shed so that could be a possible reason why she didn't eat (although I think most snakes just hide away in general when they are going into shed and she is obviously not doing that lol!). |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 23/03/2013 : 10:01:45
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Cathy is certainly keeping you on your toes Fi  !
I think you've made the right decision about keeping her where she is for a while. The 'rule' we go by is that once a snake's length equals the length + width of their home they need a new one. I know you say she likes to stretch out, but you are getting her out often enough for it not to be an issue. Corns do prefer smaller, or more crowded, homes....they feel safer, so it's definitely best to keep her where she is until either she is in an established feeding routine or she gets too long for it.
I think it's great you are putting your spare flowers, loo rolls, etc out for her to play with. I've got a paper bag filled with loo rolls, cardboard boxes, etc which I sometimes tip out for mine to explore. I've even been known to get the Lego out and build stuff for them  ! Anything that keeps her interested and active is great.
I wouldn't worry too much about her not eating the pinkie, she is having more food in a shorter period of time than she's used to. What I wouldn't do is feed her again tomorrow....if you offer her food too often it will just stress her out. I know it's worrying, especially in her situation, for her to go without food for a few more days but its better to do that than to risk another refusal. And hopefully it will mean that when you do feed her you'll have a hungry snake! Don't worry about the fact that the pinkie wasn't as wide as she was, that won't have had anything to do with her refusing it....if she was hungry and wanted to eat, she would have even if it was that size. What you do have to be aware of is not giving her anything too wide, but you know that.
I know I could read back and discover this for myself, but my brain is fogged this morning  so it's easier to ask....how big was the last pinkie she ate and how big was this one that she refused? I'd be wary of moving her up to fuzzies until you've got her eating regularly. As long as she's putting on weight with the pinkies then there is no major rush....what's most important is that she's eating.
Smartbunny, unsurprisingly , has made a good point about whether she might be coming up to a shed. Some snakes will eat whether they are 'blue' or not, whereas others are more fussy. Silvi will start refusing food even before her eyes are clouded over. I think I'm right in saying that its quite hard to tell with a snow when they're 'blue'. Do her scales feel any different, especially her belly scales? She's certainly not behaving as though she's 'blue' but then I've come to expect the unexpected from Miss Cathy !
You are not alone with the hair issue! I've had times where I've had to get my husband to come and untangle one of the snakes from my hair !! I've learnt to pin it right up, so that they can slither over it but not get in it.....but it doesn't stop them from trying . Of course, they are adults so you have a bigger battle on your hands with a little shoelace who can slip anywhere ! I think hair down is definitely the best solution .
Hope I've made sense .
Xxx
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 24/03/2013 : 07:19:34
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smart bunny The original records I got with Cathy were completely falsified, and I now have her proper feeding ones, but absolutely NO shedding records at all. I have had a good look at her and her eyes don't seemed to have dulled over in the least. She is just as bonkers as ever.
I have found a great great deal on a bigger viv for her which I am going to get, but keep her where she is for now, and I have the bigger one for when she is ready. As measuring a snake seems like an impossible task, I did the best "guesstimate" I could with a piece of string and she is roughly 17" long now. Bless her, not even a gram per inch.
Kellog - you are not wrong! She is keeping me alert at all times (currently watching me type. Strange girl.
I am glad I am not the only one with a box of "snake toys" - my husband HOWLED laughing when I told him. I was quite indignant at his response as our dogs, cats and fish have them, so why shouldn't she?!
You asked about the size of the pinkies I have fed her. Now, the first one I genuinely don't know as it was a P@H one and I just picked a decent sized one (wow do they have a huge differential in one size), but the second one was from the new source I found and was a definite 3g (I weighed it ). The first feed was after 6 days, the second after 5. As you and smartbunny have both said, I am not going to try her today, I will leave it until tomorrow, and try to keep playtime down to a minimal so she is not so hyper as she normally is.
I should probably explain what I mean by hyper - she is not nippy and has never been jumpy but she just seems to love exploring her new home (which has now been extended from her viv to my bedroom!). I even use the reptile disinfectant on everything on my dressing table so she can go and look for the "other snake" as that is where my mirror is
I haven't noticed a change in how her scales feel, but I am not the best judge, I will have to ask one of the children to do it for me as my hands are quite rough from the wheelchair. What should it feel like if she is going into shed?
With what you have both said, I will try her again tomorrow, and TRY to keep her playtime down tomorrow too (hah! wish me luck, she will be flinging the flowers and knocking the coco hide for all their worth!)
Thank you so much to you both, total lifesavers for us both |
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 - 24/03/2013 : 08:35:47
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Not quite sure why your husband howled with laughter about our snakes having toys .....I find it far stranger that his fish do !!
I think you've made the right decision about keeping her where she is for now. When you think about it, she's been through a lot and needs a period of stability until she is moved about again. I know it's not such a traumatic move as she's had before, because lots of her old 'home' will go into her new 'home' and she's obviously already settled with you....but I would definitely wait until you've got her feeding regularly. It's a great idea to get the bigger viv at a good price while you can. It means you'll have it all there and ready for when she's ready to move up .
Don't worry about not knowing the weight of the first pinkie. I didn't use to worry about weighing what I gave my snakes until I had an issue with Silvi. Then it became necessary because I had to know what size she could keep down and slowly build it up. I also, automatically, began weighing the other snakes meals as well. You're right what you say about how major the weight difference is within each size.
I'm glad you're leaving her til tomorrow before trying to feed her again, you don't want to stress her by trying too often. I know you feed her in the evenings, so I would suggest you only handle her in the morning and don't get her out in the evening, so she associates evenings with food on feeding days. I feed mine in the mornings and don't handle them before hand, trying to make the distinction between when is 'playtime' and when is feeding time. I know she seems to be 'demanding' handling ....but you are her owner and must resist for her own good!
Just a thought, what is the temp in the warm end of her home? If its too warm it may explain why she's quite as active as she is....although this being Miss Cathy I think it's most likely her personality ! It's lovely that she's as active as she is , although I will say that you are probably being a bit paranoid cleaning all your surfaces with reptile disinfectant ! I'm sure a little bit of dust won't harm her!
I understand what you mean about your hands being a bit rough. If she were coming up to a shed or already 'blue' then her skin would feel fairly dry compared to how it normally does and her belly scales will separate more easily....you may even be able to feel the difference when she climbs over your body, the scales can sometimes 'pinch' you at this time. Her behaviour doesn't seem to indicate that she's coming up to a shed....but then this is Miss Cathy we're talking about ! I think that hatchlings her age usually shed about once a month, although they all differ of course....so she will be due one soon.
Stop thanking us !! Helping is what we're here for, so you're giving us something to do ....and it is nice to feel that we are being supportive and maybe making a small difference .
Xxx
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 24/03/2013 : 09:13:23
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| Kellog, would you mind me emailing you, as there are some things I can't say about Cathy on here? It might make things a bit clearer |
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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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 25/03/2013 : 07:23:40
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Just a quick question if anyone passes this thread by today - my little madam has trashed her viv again this morning and I want to feed her tonight. She has even managed to smear poo up the side of the viv 
If I get it done first thing this morning, and leave her for the rest of the day, will that be too stressful for me to try a feed with her tonight or should I wait until tomorrow?
I spot cleaned the viv yesterday, but have only just noticed her version of Picasso this morning when I put the light on, and I want to deep clean it as soon as I can get up and out of bed.
I was thinking that if I get it done first thing, let her have her playtime and then just leave her be until tonight when I feed her is that too much stress on her little system? As you have all gathered, she is quite a character and I don't want to upset her too much when I am going to try and feed her after her refusal last Friday.
Thank you in advance, Fi and Cathy |
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 - 25/03/2013 : 08:26:01
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I would think it would be ok, I would feed if it was one of mine, but then Cathy is not your average corn
There is always the possibility that the same could happen tomorrow, so how long would you defer feeding for?
You were always going to give her some playtime in the morning (I think) so it wont make too much difference having to have her out for a little longer whilst you clean up her trashed viv - hope this has helped a little |
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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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 25/03/2013 : 08:35:39
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That has helped lots, thank you Blackcat.
The trashing of the viv is a daily occurrence, I refer to it as her interior design rampage, but I am just concerned about getting the poo off the viv walls, which will require removing everything to do so properly as I don't want her getting ill from leaving that in there. Really, she is a tinker
What I was thinking might be an idea, would be to keep some of her clean but "used" substrate (I have her on aspen bedding) to pop back in so it isn't totally sterile to her as as I mentioned, she refused a feed on Friday and I would love her to have a feed tonight.
I have found her "wee" spot so that is easy to clean daily, but poo? On the flowers, the hides and NOW on the walls!
I will hopefully be able to get out of bed in the next half hour, so will sort that out then, give her some playtime and then she is just going to rest until I go for a feed tonight for her.
I don't really want to defer a feed, but equally don't want to feed her in a dirty viv (she most certainly will not yet feed in her rub, and until she is up to weight, I am going with getting those valuable nutrients into her).
Many thanks for your advice, I think it is worth a good clean, keeping back her "clean" but used substrate and then leaving her be for a good 12 hours to settle before feeding her. My goodness does she keep me on my toes |
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 - 25/03/2013 : 08:49:53
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Definately put back some of the 'clean' used bedding and as she is used to your smell you could possibly handle the new clean bedding to put your smell on it.
Cathy is certainly a little character
If mine manage to smear poo up the walls of the viv I just get a wet wipe and clean it off and then use a paper towel with reptile disinfectant on it too wipe over the area again. I will then deep clean the vivs on a monthly or sometimes two monthly basis.
I hope all goes well |
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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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 25/03/2013 : 08:58:07
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Ohh, hadn't thought of wet wipes, have got some of those free from anything ones - those in conjunction with her reptile disinfectant sounds like a total plan.
The flowers on the other hand are going to need a soak! Thank goodness I have more that she plays with when she is out, so I can hopefully swap them over without her getting too stressed out.
My husband is going to seriously question my sanity (even further) when I sit fluffing up new bedding and mixing it in with her clean but used stuff later
Thank you for reinforcing what I though would be the right thing re: using some of her clean bedding that is in the viv. I wish I had a camera to hand as she is currently having a swim. I swear she is not a normal snake! |
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 - 25/03/2013 : 09:17:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Foxtrotsierra
Kellog, would you mind me emailing you, as there are some things I can't say about Cathy on here? It might make things a bit clearer
That's absolutely fine Fi....as long as you are aware that I am by no means an expert and can only tell you what I think . I must admit to being curious and knowing more would certainly make the picture clearer.
You are already showing that you've got a good instinct for keeping Cathy , in that you thought of keeping back some of her used but clean substrate when you do this clean. You just need to learn to trust that instinct, with support from the forum.
Blackcat has said exactly what I would have.....take her out for her morning play, pop her in a box with maybe a couple of her 'toys' while you clean her viv, rub the new substrate through your hands and mix it in with the old, and then put her back, with the 'toys' she's been 'playing with' in the box, to replace those she decided needed redecorating with poo ! Then feed her this evening.....and hopefully you'll have a hungry snake.
I hate to tell you this but I think your husband probably already questions your sanity....and seeing you sitting there fluffing up new substrate and mixing it with the old wont surprise him at all .
Xxx
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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 25/03/2013 : 09:24:55
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| Thank you Kellog, I am going to do it now. It will explain a few things that I can't on here |
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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Foxtrotsierra
Hatchling
United Kingdom
485 Posts |
Posted - 25/03/2013 : 10:04:37
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| And sent Kellog 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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My husband has caved in..
