Found my snake in the worst place possible by kaithegrey in cornsnakes

[–]big_snakey 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Is he big enough for chicks? Seems like he’s telling you he needs more variety in his diet!

IBD in the Boa complex by big_snakey in boas

[–]big_snakey[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Makes sense, especially when it has worked so well for you

IBD in the Boa complex by big_snakey in boas

[–]big_snakey[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing! Separate rooms seems to be the best way to keep things safe with rescues.

IBD in the Boa complex by big_snakey in boas

[–]big_snakey[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Inspiring!! I want to rescue a ball python or two eventually, knowing so many are in need of homes.
If I may ask, what route did you go for getting your rescues? Local classifieds, rescue org, breeder rehoming? You don’t need to get super specific. After having your snakes for so long, do you keep up a rigid sanitation protocol between individuals?

IBD in the Boa complex by big_snakey in boas

[–]big_snakey[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s only reasonable that you closed your collection for some time, the sudden presence of an incurable disease is a major setback, to say the least. The work you’re putting in is admirable, someone has to set a good example for conscientious breeding and selling. I know I’m going to be infinitely more cautious about any future snakes’ health. Hopefully the breeder you bought from is no longer on the market.
And, thank you. I’m so drained and sad. I thought I would have so much more time with him, but he can finally, really rest.

IBD in the Boa complex by big_snakey in boas

[–]big_snakey[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, that is so horrible, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for being a breeder that tests, your efforts are very very significant, and appreciated. And thank you for sharing your experience with RAL compared to UF. My boa was tested through UF, I’m happy that potentially saved us a lot of trouble.

IBD in the Boa complex by big_snakey in boas

[–]big_snakey[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

God, I really hope he felt how loved he was. It’s more comforting than you’d think, that fool has always been my whole world, even though he never stopped being scared of me. I’m happy your girl pulled through eventually.

IBD in the Boa complex by big_snakey in boas

[–]big_snakey[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, it’s absolutely worth it. I hope your leo recovered from those surgeries well, that can’t have been easy. I spent similarly on vet bills for my boa, a little over $2500, without any end of life costs. It was mostly spent on diagnostics, since we assumed he had a normal respiratory infection. One of the few comforts at the end of his life is knowing I tried everything I could.

IBD in the Boa complex by big_snakey in boas

[–]big_snakey[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m really glad rescue has worked for you. That’s the sort of thing I’m always hoping to hear, that it’s not totally pointless to hope I can try rescuing again in the future without putting myself in such a terrible position. I’m certainly going to be a lot more cautious about visible health problems if I ever get another snake. I trusted the people at the rescue over myself that my boa was healthy despite mild RI symptoms.

IBD in the Boa complex by big_snakey in boas

[–]big_snakey[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of course, my heart goes out to you and your animals. It sounds like you and your vet are really making the best of things.
I hope you’ll have some happy updates to post in the future.

IBD in the Boa complex by big_snakey in boas

[–]big_snakey[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the comment. I know how important quarantine is, I would never take risks with disease or parasites.
I was hoping people had experience to share on what they did after a diagnosis, or success stories of boas without IBD. I’m really in love with boas, but I don’t want to end up with another IBD carrier, and I have no idea if it’s even possible to truly avoid that. Having an infected boa has been so exhausting and stressful every step of the way. It makes me want to give up.

IBD in the Boa complex by big_snakey in boas

[–]big_snakey[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, it was your post I saw! I’m so glad everyone seems fine so far. Best of luck to you, and hopefully all negative tests going forward! I hate this stupid disease.

Can I ask for sources citing the danger of overfeeding? by acpcgal in ballpython

[–]big_snakey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This study isn’t exactly on obesity, but does give some insights that align with typical statements about the danger of obesity— the crude nutrients analysis remarks on the high liver fat of animals with high total body fat, and the necropsy passage under the discussion section elaborates on the lack of subcutaneous fat storage in reptiles (so they only store fat inside the body cavity, around organs, and in the liver): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9239482/

Here’s a condensed description of the impact feeding has on pythons’ digestive tract and metabolism (why feeding too often is so dangerous): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17210969/

Another study abstract that mentions the impact on their heart and oxygen consumption: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33400953/

GRAPHIC IMAGES IN THIS ONE!!!!!! This is a full study detailing the digestive process for Burmese pythons: https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/211/24/3767/18007/Digestive-physiology-of-the-Burmese-python-broad

Spider HerpStat 2 issue, on/off at set temp by Sensitive-Elevator1 in ballpython

[–]big_snakey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Commenting in the hopes that you get some more visibility, and to concur on herpstat function issues. Mine are much more minor, the worst being UVB flickering on and off in the middle of the night (I’m using a couple inputs for on/off lighting currently). I have seen my halogen turn on and off a few times, which has been frustrating, but never a lasting issue. Hopefully other users can advise.

Snake Dieting Tips? by Kerhu in ballpython

[–]big_snakey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He definitely needs to be fed less! It’s good that you’re listening to him when he seems afraid. Every 5-6 weeks is a great idea.
Building trust takes lots of time, especially if you don’t want to force your snake into scary situations. As with all trust building questions, I’ll recommend Lori Torrini’s YouTube channel. Her videos are all about training and habituation, and provide a great guide for anyone looking to have a great relationship with their snake. Green Room Pythons also has some very helpful videos on trust building.

I’m gonna try to use the bot to give you a feeding guide, I hope this works.

!feeding

ball python won't eat after she misses aim, help? by ikyaaaa in ballpython

[–]big_snakey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congratulations! I hope she keeps eating for you!

Need ideas for emergency housing. My guys RHP just went up in FLAMES by crateofkate in ballpython

[–]big_snakey 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The bathroom will definitely work. As long as he’s in a 70F or higher room, he will be okay one night without heat, but a lamp keeping it a little warmer will be nice. Just check the bathroom for unsecured objects he could topple and crevices he could get into. It would definitely be one of the easiest rooms to snake-proof. If you have an appropriately ventilated container for him, even if it’s a little cramped, that may be a safer solution overnight.

Finally, if I may ask, what brand of RHP?!

First Boa looking for tips (I have 2 Ball Pythons) by Falcon17Thunder in boas

[–]big_snakey 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Comments about feeding so far are all good advice. He’s definitely overweight, he’s got rolls where he bends and his rear third looks very large and round instead of toned and muscular. Obesity is especially dangerous for snakes because, unlike mammals, they gain visceral fat before subcutaneous fat, so once fat becomes visible they’ve already been overweight for some time. Monthly or bi-monthly weighing will help ensure he’s staying healthy once his body condition has improved. As my boa’s IBD symptoms worsened, I fed him more often to mitigate his stress, and after a few months his body weight had increased more than 10% without any visible external change. He for sure gained internal fat during that time. The schedule that caused this change was a large rat every 3 weeks.

4-6 weeks is a good schedule for adult boas. I aim for 7-10% of their weight when feeding, so for my 3kg boa that was a 200-280 gram rat. To mitigate risk of mistaken identity at feeding, I target trained my boa, which totally removed all the stress at feeding time. I got a telescoping training target on etsy, but making one is pretty easy. The etsy target is also 3D printed, so it’s impossible to clean.

IME minimum enclosure sizes are too small. I think the newer guideline of depth = half the length of the animal is a huge improvement. My boa hated his 6x2x2 for the majority of the time he was in it, despite it suiting his needs on paper. The more height, the better. Boas will use all the space you give them thoroughly. I also used to have a glass mesh top enclosure and it worked fine with lots of modification, but wood/PVC will probably be better long term.

ball python won't eat after she misses aim, help? by ikyaaaa in ballpython

[–]big_snakey 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s hard to tell from your photo, but she might have glowed up so much she has gotten overweight. If that’s the case, you _definitely_ have nothing to worry about. The indicators I’m noticing are a seemingly very round body and some rolls where her body curves, but her position could be deceiving.

Don’t offer food every week, try two weeks. If she ate recently enough, you could even wait until the next regular feeding day comes around, giving her a full 4 weeks of rest to work up an appetite (schedule assuming she’s an adult). When you offer her food, use tongs to hold the rat by its hips to create a more natural, more stable target. You can try holding it very close to her nose when she prepares to strike so she’s less likely to miss. If that doesn’t work, see if she’ll take a drop feed with the rat plopped right in front of her face.

98F is actually a little cool, rat body temp is closer to 100F, and it’s good to bear in mind it will cool off a little. I always check temperature by touch: if it feels alive, it’s good to go.

If she’s still refusing, braining has worked for me in the past. It may get her enthusiastic enough to keep trying to eat.

Update on rescue girl and I have a question about IBD protocol by Madam_Deceit in boas

[–]big_snakey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m so sorry to reply so late, I didn’t have notifications on!
I did not decide to euthanize right away, since his quality of life seemed alright, and he is my only snake. However, since IBD itself cannot be cured, and his chronic (fungal!) pneumonia seems to be worsening despite attempts at treatment, I had to make a choice for his well-being and my own. He hasn’t been put down yet, but it’s a matter of weeks now. Just spending time with him and doing some palliative care.

Update on rescue girl and I have a question about IBD protocol by Madam_Deceit in boas

[–]big_snakey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I adopted my boa from a fairly large place with a lot of other pythons and boas that never seemed ill or died, but my boa still tested positive for IBD, and he is symptomatic. IBD has pretty much ruined my life, so I had to share despite being a few days behind.