| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Lee
Yearling
United Kingdom
522 Posts |
 Posted - 10/06/2013 : 23:15:59
|
I got my Caramel female off a lad who had her and a male. When I collected her the owner said that he hadn't separated them soon enough and he thought the female had an egg, she had a slight bulge.
He also said that she had stopped eating 6 weeks earlier so didn't think she was in good enough condition to produce a decent egg.
Well I've had her 2 1/2 months now and she is still refusing to eat, she doesn't look any thinner to me, she drinks regularly, spends most of the time in her hide but does come out now and then, she has pooped 3 times and shed twice. I pretty much leave her alone and don't handle her.
There is a damp moss hide for her to lay in when she's ready and the temps are all ok. Last shed was 17 days ago.
Do I need to take her to the vet? Is there something wrong? Any advice would be appreciated. |
1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x |
|
|
lotabob
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
4334 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2013 : 23:52:44
|
| What weight and age is she? |
Anery Corn snake SPOT. Royal Python, DUKE. Hogg Island Boa, SANKE. Albino House Snake, HAL.
Harlequin Crested Gecko HARLEY
Albino Horned Frog WAKA
Chilean Rose Tarantula TRIXIE. Brazilian Salmon Pink Bird-eating Tarantula SAM. Orange Baboon Tarantula BORIS.
Giant Asian Forest Scorpion, SALLY.
Giant African Land Snails, SHELDON & MICHELLE.
Budwing Mantis, MAIA
Dubia Roach Colony. Silkworm Colony. Mealworm Colony. Waxworm Colony. Fruit Beetle Colony.
MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL http://www.youtube.com/user/alocheeky |
 |
|
|
Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2013 : 08:38:34
|
I'm in agreement with Lotabob, any information you can give us about her will help. You say her temps are ok....is she on a heatmat, controlled by a thermostat and monitored by a digital thermometer? What is the temp in the warm end? What was she feeding on and how often are you offering her food? Is the bulge still there? If you don't know her weight then you need to start weighing her so you have a record. It's best to do that before you try to feed her, so it's done regularly.
If you have a look at this link, part way down in the month of May, there is an explanation on how to tell if your snake is gravid http://www.vmsherp.com/LCBreedingCorns.htm
Xxx
|
  
   |
|
|
|
Lee
Yearling
United Kingdom
522 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2013 : 09:33:18
|
Thanks for the replies. I haven't weighed her as I try not to handle her because I don't want to stress her. She is 3 1/2 years old and about 4ft. She is on a heatmat, controlled by a thermostat and monitored by a digital thermometer, the warm end is 28. She was feeding on small mice every week, I offer every 2 weeks but she shows no interest at all. The bulge is still there and quite low down. I was worried it might be cryptosporidiosis but other than the swelling there are no other symptoms associated with that.
Her last keeper had a very clean setup and she appeared well looked after, she laid 21 eggs last year for him.
I'll have a read through that link kellog, thanks. |
1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x |
|
|
|
Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2013 : 12:07:57
|
At least she's of a good age and size to be laying, although if she laid a clutch last year she started young  . I totally understand why you are trying not to stress her but I think it's important to try to get a record of her weight and what she's losing, if she is. Her set-up is just right, which is good to hear  . I know this is probably going to sound REALLY stupid  , but she couldn't be constipated could she? Am just wondering because you are talking about a bulge low down....
I don't really see how she can still be gravid, as corns usually lay 6 - 8 weeks after mating and you've had her 10 weeks. I'm no expert but I would have thought that if she was gravid and maybe egg-bound there would be more sign of an issue. I found this on egg-binding - 'sometimes a female snake will fail to lay her eggs, holding onto them for longer than is normal or healthy for her.It is most noticable as an out of propertion mass in her lower half, or felt as a bulge or hardened mass around the time you would expect her to lay her eggs or soon afterwards. This may be caused by not giving her an appropriate nest box in which to lay her eggs, causing her to delay laying. She will be restless in her search for an appropriate place'. It doesn't sound as though your snake could be classed as 'restless'.
With cryptosporidium I think you would would find that she had diarrhea and a strong faeces odor. Loss of appetite is common, as is regurgitation in snakes. Some snakes also experience swelling of the stomach. ....but you are describing the lump as lower.
If you are concerned that this may be due to internal parasites then you could send off a faecal sample to have it checked. I've used PALS Vet Lab before and found them quicker and cheaper than a vet often will be.
Have you tried offering her a smaller food item than she's used to? Often that can encourage them to eat. There are some other tips in this thread on Non-feeding snakes . Maybe it's worthwhile giving her old owner a ring and seeing what advice they can give.
Sorry I can't be of more help but it's hard to tell what's going on. Maybe a pic of the lump would help those who know to work out what's happening.
Xxx
|
|
|
|
|
Lee
Yearling
United Kingdom
522 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2013 : 16:17:48
|
ok I'll weigh her tonight and see if I can measure her too. I don't think she is constipated as she has gone 3 times since I've had her and all looked normal. She's not restless and has a box to lay in, the only time she went in the box was when she shed.
As for cryptosporidium, no there are no issues other than the bulge which is much lower down her body anyway.
I've tried very small mice and even brained pinkies but she shows no interest.
I looked at the link you posted kellog and from that I'm not sure she is gravid now. I think it's worth a trip to the vets, I need to get the poor girl looked at and sorted out.
When I weigh her later I'll get a pic too. |
1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x |
|
|
|
Lee
Yearling
United Kingdom
522 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2013 : 17:07:34
|
| Her weight is 338g and length is approx 90cm.I have just noticed a very small lump under a scale on the side of the bulge. I've made an appointment at the vets as there is definitely something not right, it feels quite solid. I couldn't get a pic of the bulge. |
1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x |
|
|
|
smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2013 : 21:30:06
|
Hmm - it is definitely a lump is it? It's not a mite just raising the scale a little? If so it would look like a tiny little black dot. Obviously that would have nothing to do with a large bulge though. The only other thing I wondered was whether the bulge was actually just 'hips' from where she had been a little overweight, or maybe due to her laying before?
I'm glad you are going to the vet, hope it's nothing serious. |
       |
|
|
|
Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 10:54:48
|
It sounds as though you've made the right decision, it certainly sounds as though you need a professional to look at her. I hope you have a vet that understands snakes.
Please let us know how you get on.
Xxx
|
|
|
|
|
Lee
Yearling
United Kingdom
522 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 10:56:05
|
There doesn't seem to be anything foreign lifting the scale, it's a small lump inside. I don't know about the 'hips' thing and I don't know if she's ever been overweight.
Well she's at the vets now, they are going to X-ray and let me know in a few hours, she didn't think it was any parasite and not sure if it's eggs! I'll know after lunch anyway :( |
1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x |
|
|
|
Freddiesmum
Sub Adult
1083 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 11:29:44
|
| fingers crossed she is ok! |
1.1.0 Corn Snakes, Oscar the Golddust Motley, Emmy the Ultramel Anery
2.0.0 Cats, Yoda and Ed
1.0.0 Leopard Gecko, Masuka
1.0.0 Western Hognose Snake - Hugo |
|
|
|
smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 15:19:28
|
| Good luck. |
|
|
|
|
herriotfan
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5853 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 16:12:03
|
| I do hope everything will be ok. Keeping fingers crossed for you. |
Husband....Very Understanding!!! (Phil)
Son & Daughter (Kevin & Carol)
Granddaughter (Eva)
3.4.0 Cornsnakes Amel (Sidney) Caramel Stripe (Sultan) Amber (Cleo) Carolina (Phoebe) Anery Motley Stripe (Penny) Snow (Lily) Caramel (Holmes)
1.2.0 Royal Pythons(Peeps, Pandora & Pepsi)
1.0.0 Hognose (Hudson)
2.1.0 Dogs (Dillon, Alfie, Ellie)
0.1.0 Senegal Parrot (Peanut)
1.1.0 Bearded Dragons (Bonnie & Clyde)
1.0.0 Crested Geckos (Echo)
0.2.1 Hermanns Tortoises (Ebbie, Rosie & Twiglet)
0.1.0 Guinea Pig (Dolly-Pipsqueak)
0.1.9 Tarantulas (Poppy, Gypsy, Bumble, Insey Winsey, Sonic, Cookie, Raven, Fudge, Titch & Sox)
??? Foster animals
Location: Near Saffron Walden, Essex
|
|
|
|
Lee
Yearling
United Kingdom
522 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 16:24:16
|
Well she's back from the vets. She is not gravid. The vet showed me the X-ray, it was amazing, loads of detail and the skeleton looked fantastic if only I could have had a pic.
There appears to be numerous small irregular shaped 'things' inside the bulge, they are as dense as the rib bones but not as dense as the backbone, very low down and definitely not in the digestive tract. There are no parasites.
The vet is sending the X-ray to a specialist in America as she has never seen this before and is a little stumped as to what they could be, so I won't get any further answers until Friday afternoon.
Anyone have any ideas? I'm going to be googleing all night now!
Oh and she pooped all over the vet so they took a sample just in case, she has been pooping normally despite not eating for 12 weeks! god knows where that's coming from! |
1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x |
|
|
|
Lee
Yearling
United Kingdom
522 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 16:46:45
|
I wonder if it's this? Although she is defecating.
Cloacoliths: Dehydration of captive snakes (especially if long standing) may result in drying out of urinary excretions. When this occurs, uric acid "stones" tend to form within the cloaca ('cloacoloths'). Their presence in this location prevents expulsion of urinary waste and feces (constipation), which creates serious illness. Dehydration is a sign of disease and not a disease in itself, so it becomes the veterinarian's task to determine the underlying problem that caused the dehydration. Cloacoliths can usually be manually expelled with patience and the help of mineral oil enemas. Only an experienced veterinarian should attempt this procedure. |
1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x |
|
|
|
Auld Baldy
Ikea's Pimp
United Kingdom
1619 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 16:59:41
|
I'd suggest you just wait for the reply from the specialist vet instead of worrying yourself on Google Diagnostics. You will end up convinced that it is a unique case of Galloping Gunga Lurgi.  |
1.0.0: Miami Normal: Taggart
0.0.1: Carolina Normal: Wee Woody
0.0.1: Grey Rat Snake: Mirkey
0.0.1: Amel Corn: Blaze
1.0.0: Carpet Python: Vambo
0.0.1: MBK: Fester
0.0.1: Florida King Snake : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1. California King Snake: El Diablo Diego
0.2.0 Tarantulas : Ermintrude & Euphemia. |
|
|
|
Lee
Yearling
United Kingdom
522 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 17:33:03
|
| Galloping Gunga Lurgi!!!! you don't think she could have that do you? |
1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x |
|
|
|
Lee
Yearling
United Kingdom
522 Posts |
Posted - 15/06/2013 : 10:10:00
|
Back to the vets today for another x-ray, the specialists can't make diagnosis until they have a lateral view, she will have to be sedated for a short while :( The only advice they gave so far was to soak her in warm water 28c as snakes can absorb water through their vent.
She's been very active the last two days, far more than usual, she is ready to shed though as her eyes are no longer blue.
The thing that concerns me is the vet said she may be in pain/discomfort and that really bothers me, I feel like I've let her down and I'm annoyed at her last owner! |
1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x |
|
|
|
Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 15/06/2013 : 10:37:03
|
You have NOT let her down  !! Once you were aware that there was an issue you tried to get as much advice as possible and when you couldn't get an answer, unsurprisingly, you sought veterinary help. STOP beating yourself up about it and remember that she is blessed to be with an owner who cares so much about her that he'd go to all this trouble !!!
I'm definitely with Auld Baldy about staying away from Google, all that's going to do is mess with your mind even more than its messed with with worry....if that makes any sense at all  .
Do let us know how she is after having had the anaesthetic. I know it must be a horrible time for you but at least your vet is on the ball and reaching out for professional help.
As for the pain/discomfort thing....I know this is very hard to accept but there isn't anything you can do to relieve that for her. You're doing all you can by getting the professional help that she needs. All you can do is keep loving her like you do .
Xxx
|
|
|
|
|
Lee
Yearling
United Kingdom
522 Posts |
Posted - 15/06/2013 : 13:43:50
|
| Thanks Kellog for the support. She was only at the vets for 30 mins, they couldn't get her to take enough gas to make her sleep, but it calmed her down enough for them to take the x-ray, again another superb view of her skeleton. The litte 'stones' are very numerous from the side and causing quite a swell now, the vet says in her opinion at the moment they would need to be taken out surgically :( not good news. |
1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x |
|
|
|
Lee
Yearling
United Kingdom
522 Posts |
Posted - 15/06/2013 : 13:44:59
|
| She also started to shed while they were doing it. Poor girl, she's been through a lot already this week. |
1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Getting a little concerned now.
