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Dead snake, lots of questions

I completely understand your wanting to keep her, I meant on the chance that she does die I would take her back and demand my money and never go there again.
Are you using a UTH? I didn't see anywhere in this thread whether you were or not. And what are your actual temps on the warm side/cool side? You could use a regular light bulb ?50w? (depending on the size of your viv, mine are 20L) over the side with the uth and that should bring your temps up. I use a night bulb at night, it's like the moonlight so it doesn't disturb the snake's natural photoperiod.
 
I have a ceramic bulb heat lamp and natural ambient light.
The temp on the warm side is around 82. I've lowered the heat lamp to the screen and covered the cool side in an effort to raise that warmth just a little more. I think I'm going to try and wait this one out.
I've got a 20L also, which is huge for this little baby. She's staying out on a rock that I placed in there. She seems to be doing better this morning.
With all luck this is related to her upcoming shed, and will clear up after that.
 
well........I really don't know.
I checked on her last night and also attempted to feed her. I'm starting to be unsure of the shed ever happening at this time.
She's listless and seems tired. When I held her she raised her head and made a swallowing kind of motion in her throat several times, then kind of bobbed her head a little, then laid her head in my hand and just stayed like that.....motionless. I've never seen a snake do that......
She did not eat, even though it's been 6 days since her last feeding (on the 6th). I don't have anything else that I can do for her.
She's still clicking, and rubbing her face on everything she can and breathing out of the side of her mouth at times. She exhibits signs that she's ready to shed, but unless it happens in the next week, I'm afraid we're going to lose her. She's so little, and now so thin, and she just seems tired. I feel completely helpless.
Yesterday was the first time since Saturday (? I think, it's been quite a while) that I've got her out. We've pretty well left her alone. The only time I bother her is to make sure she's still alive because she lays so motionless and I guess I'm paranoid after losing one already.
At this point I'm starting to think more on the lines of just making her comfortable and happy. I'm still praying for a shed, but losing hope and questioning that I ever saw her in the pre-shed blue-eyed phase at all. Maybe I was wrong, and she's just sickly..... it's such a major bummer......but only time will tell at this point.

Thanks so much for asking!! I'll keep you guys up to date of any changes.
 
W, let the board know if you still need directions/dates to the Shelbyville show...Metallicadrums mentioned a few of the breeders that vend there plus another; all three have a real solid rep. in the community and you will not go wrong dealing with any of them...I've bought a few things from Dwight and they've all been top notch...

a big "JMHO" here...I'm not a fan of heat bulbs/ceramic emitters for baby corns...I think you'd be better served by a small UTH in conjunction with a thermostat...ZOOMED makes both and they are sold at many pet stores (or you could get one at Shelbyville ;*) )...you can measure the temps right above the UTH at the substrate level and adjust the temp thru the thermostat much easier and with less guesswork than by using the bulbs...Babies are delicate and I think that warm heat soakin' thru their bellies goes a long way to aid and speed up digestion...

...again...JMHO...Check out the Shelbyville show, look for Dwight there, and I hope your corn pulls thru for you and your family...peace, Chris
 
Hey Chris, thanks so much for your suggestion. UTH is under tank heater, correct? I had a stick on one about a year ago for my corn and well, it didn't work great. Now it also didn't have a thermostat so I could not control the amount of heat output, but it was NEVER warm enough. Maybe it just couldn't make it through the glass....I don't know....but I wasn't real pleased with it. I might've just got one that was bad too.
I'm always open to suggestions though, I'm not easily offended. I still consider myself new to snakes, even though I've had mine for over a year now. I feel like since I haven't experienced everything there is to experience with snakes, both good and bad, that I'm not an expert, there's always more to learn. And esp after what just happened with my son's other snake that took my confidence down a notch or two....very humbling to know that you killed an animal through lack of knowledge....that was a serious blow to me.

At this point, I'll be surprised if she makes it, really. I just have a gut feeling that something is really wrong....but you never know, maybe she'll shed and everything will be just fine.

I'm thrilled at the prospect of heading up to Shelbyville next month. It's going to be very exciting! I've never been to a reptile show before and my son is really looking forward to it too. I can hardly wait!!!
How many people would you guess from this forum attend the Shelbyville show?
 
oops! I just noticed a typo that I can't change....I last fed her on the 13th, the day we got her, the same day the other one died. What a terrible parent I am for taking my kid out to buy a new snake the same day the other one dies.....geez.....
 
Go easier on yourself. You're not a bad parent or person for wanting to make your child feel better about the loss of a pet. It's only unfortunate that the second snake doesn't seem to be healthy. It's a tough lesson for anyone to learn. I do hope that your baby improves.
 
wildernessey, I would definitely go with a UTH and you can also use a lighter duty heat light if you feel you need it for the colder days. I find the UTH is a better source of heat right where they need it, just my opinion.

The thing is, if your snake does have a URI, it should be kept a lot warmer than normal. This helps the snake get over the URI. The best thing, of course, would be to see a vet and have medication prescribed, but if you don't have a herp vet near you, at least up the temps in the cage. I had a snake that I got in that had a slight URI and I upped the temps and the snake cleared up after a week or so. Of course, if the URI is too far advanced, then this may not do the trick, but it sure won't hurt.

Good luck with this new one and I'm sorry to hear that you have had such bad luck so far. I hope this little one pulls through for you. I would definitely suggest a reputable breeder for future snakes. I have to say, it certainly sounds like you've been bit by the "corn" bug, so you will find them "sneaking" into your house from time to time...lol.
 
Dionythicus, I spend more time laughing at myself than being serious. :) I'm ok with it, although therapy has always been an option ;)

Ok, here's something I noticed about her. I don't remember when but it's been a bit. And I don't know if it's normal or me just looking to find something so I'm seeing things that aren't actually a problem.
It looks almost like she has a slight over-bite. Her lower jaw and lip line doesn't seem to line up well, and it's almost like she's sucking it in on the sides, kind of a puckery look. Doesn't sound good does it? Nope, didn't think so......
Tonight when I did get her out and examine her again, it almost appeared her mouth was stuck together. I've noticed she hadn't been opening it to breathe (could be a good thing, but I have a feeling it's not), however I could still hear her clicking.
So I don't know what to think. And what about the trembling, and swallowing motion (which I've come to think after observing her that it's how she's attempting to get a breath, something which only started recently), and rubbing her face against stuff, but after 7 days no shed????
Tank has been sitting in the upper 80's. I'm purchasing a temp gun. soon to be sure I'm getting as close to accurate temp readings as possible. UTH I can have tomorrow, weather permitting.

I'm so confused and frustrated sometimes. I just try not to think about it, and keep an eye on her every few hours when I'm home. She lays sooooooo still I'm usually afraid she's already dead, until I hear the click....I guess I should be thankful she clicks, it's the only way I know she's still alive.
I don't know. I think there may be a herp vet in Lexington (the next major city over). I looked some up online, so I may give them a call tomorrow if we're not snowed in.

I want you all to know how much I appreciate you. It's been so nice to be able to come here and sometimes just ramble about the situation. And you guys/gals have all been so sweet and so helpful and concerned, it's just awesome to find such a great group of people. I can't thank you all enough for your kindness!!! Thank you, thank you!!!
 
Still the same. I tried again to feed her last night, can't remember if I mentioned that or not. She still won't eat. BUT she can open her mouth, cause she was doing it last night getting breaths of air. Still clicking. Lathargic. Temps are good, but I still don't have a UTH for her. She's mostly staying out under the heat. She never responds to anything, I have to reach in and gently touch her just to know she's still alive.
If anything changes I'll let you all know. It's such a bummer.
 
I'm so sorry... We had a weird moment during feeding last night and I was so unnerved by it...nothing like what you're going through...how awful for all of you.
Hang in there...
 
Hey Rosebear! The baby is doing better. She shed tonight, and is now literally climbing the walls. I'm so thrilled. I held her for a little bit and no more clicking.
Now all I have to do is get her to eat and I think she'll be just fine.
Thanks for your kind words!

What happened during feeding last night? Is this your first corn?
Let me know if I can help you with anything.
Karen
 
I'm SO glad to hear that your baby snow is finally responding!

Our strangeness happened when Legoless pulled the pinkie off the "tablecloth" and got substrate on it. Meaning...he also got substrate in his mouth. Normally, he eats so darn fast it's crazy, last night he struggled, and for the first time ever, gasped for air after getting the pinkie down. It sure made me nervous. The substrate assures that it's harmless and will pass. I've been keeping a closer eye than I usually do. I usually just let him be for two days, but this time I'm tracking to make sure he's ok...and he seems to be. He's in his cooler hide, peeking up at me when I look in. We should have poo tomorrow. He digests awfully quickly!

Yes, he's my first...not even positive he's a "he" yet...it's just how we've referred to it. I saw the pictures of your lovely gal...Something tells me I may not have just one in the end. I do know how large they grow to. My gal pal inherited an amel normal (I've learned so much already!) and he's 6 ft. long or thereabouts...and every bit of 2 inches in diameter, if not more. He's BIG, and gentle. He spent last weekend here because his classroom electricity was out and he was c-c-c-c-cold! As for Legoless...we're enchanted!
 
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