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scales?

Very puzzling

I'm no vet and I've never had this problem before with my snakes but in humans when something to do with bodily funtions goes suddenly out of whack it can often be pituitary related (I know this from first hand experience with my own retarded pituitary gland and the dramas I have along with it) It sounds to me like the gland responsible for the production of the oily fluid that helps the old skin come away during a shed could be not functioning properly. If suplimenting her prey with an essential fatty acid like flaxseed oil (by injecting it into the thawed mouse) hasn't been tried, you could give that a go. I'm a strong believer in 'you are what you eat' and if there's something amiss in her food, you could supliment....just an idea...could be way off.

Could it be that her water tastes funny?? The container you use for her water could be leeching a funny smell into the water. Could you try bottled or distilled water in a plain glazed ceramic container??
 
princess said:
Could it be that her water tastes funny?? The container you use for her water could be leeching a funny smell into the water. Could you try bottled or distilled water in a plain glazed ceramic container??
Click to expand...

She has two water dishes (since she is dehydrated and can't see...I wanted to be sure she could easily find them)...one IS a glazed ceramic...the other is a clear plastic deli container...both are wiped and refilled daily...and cleaned with Chlorhexadine once a week...

She readily drinks out of the soaking container (clear deli as well)...
I have a feeling it is internal...or that she cannot shed properly...I may try the flaxseed oil...not a bad recommendation...and can't hurt in a small dose.
Thanks,
Derek
 
I really hope everything works out alright. This post makes me sad. I can't even immagine the frustrations you must be going through. Let us know how it turns out.
 
just to be clear i never used the vaseline, i thought it odd myself aswell.

I honestly don't know how you can keep doing that? its so sad, i would have given up by now.
 
Well...I thought last night she was through...

I lifted up her hide...and she didn't flinch...was sitting with her mouth part way open...(can't see the eyes...so can't tell from them)...she was completely stiff...I thought she was done...
I noticed a slight bit of movement...so I ran and got her water dish filled...put her in it...and BUSINESS as USUAL...cruising...drinking...full movement...tongue flicking...
She didn't eat last night...and hasn't for a couple of weeks...
I checked her this afternoon...and she is rough...VERY dry...more so than usual in a 14 hour period
I think Hurley may be right...kidney failure of some sort...
She is getting worse on a day to day basis...
I will keep trying...but I don't think she will last the rest of the week.
I should euthanize her...I know...but I have been holding out hope this long...what is a few more days?
 
I know how it feels to hold out until they die. I wanted to do that with a hatchling of mine last year. He came out prematurely and I got him to eat once in 4 months. I kept putting it off a week at a time until he ate, but one night I left him in a deli cup with a pink over night to see if he would eat, and the next morning I lift the lid to a stiff snake. I thought he died overnight, but then he actually peeled himself off the plastic. It sounded like velcro. I couldn't stand it any longer, I finally euthinized him. It hurt really badly to do it too, because he was my sweetest snake. :cry: Poor little Miracle.
 
Last night she was looking ROUGH...BUT...she was out..flicking her tongue and checking out her tank when I came into the room...so I haven't given up hope yet...and after soaking her last night...one of her eyes became slightly transparent again...so she may not be blind after all...which gives me hope.
Looks like she might possibly be getting ready to attempt a shed again...hopefully she will...it would help.
 
Just to update...
Her condition since I brought her up in this thread has quite suddenly taken a turn for the worse.
She is losing strength quickly...
I soaked her last night...first thing this morning I thought she was dead...I decided to put her in water...and she drank...and livened up...put her in the tank (in front of the hide opening) and she managed to get into her hide...but she has almost zero strength...when I found her this morning...her mouth was open and she was completely unresponsive until she had been in the water for a few seconds.

I decided not to euthanize her this morning...if she is still alive when I get home...I will put her out of her misery.
I will be gone overnight this weekend...and I know she is not going to survive.
I hate to do it...I am literally in tears right now thinking about it...but it must be done.
She has GOT to be suffering now...although I don't have much hope that she will be alive when I get back home.

I believe Hurley may have been right...I would guess it is some sort of systemic failure...probably kidney related...judging by the regression of her health and the time frame in which it took place.
 
Ohhhh, I'm sorry Derek...I've been following this thread and I've really been pulling for you two. Please, let us know how she is when you get home. :-/
 
I know there's nothing I can say here, but I just wanted to say that I'm glad to hear that you're going to leave her to rest. It's hard to watch a pet suffer, but sometimes harder to put them down even though you know it has to be done. You did everything you could, so if nothing else, have solice in that. Still though, I'm sorry to hear that it's come to this. It definitely sounds (imo) kidney related and seemingly there's nothing more you can do. :(
 
It's done...

Was hard to do...especially after working with her daily for over 3 months.

I almost didn't do it...but she was so worn out after soaking last night...and trying to eat...that she was almost completely limp. She even had a hard time turning over when placed on her back.

Now I have to tell my stepson...it was his snake...he even paid half for it.
He lives with his dad...and I haven't had a chance to tell him yet.
 
I am sorry this ended this way. But kudos to you for all of your hard work and daily effort to try and help the little guy. :(
 
Derek, I've just gotten to read the thread again. I'm sorry for your loss. I was actually hoping that her condition would get better. You were so dedicated to trying to help make her better, that I thought she would really improve. Again, I'm sorry for your loss. You did your best.
 
Oh, I'm really sorry Derek! You know you did everything you could though, at least she isn't suffering anymore... I'm so sorry for your loss.
 
the only thing i can say is....at least she was in wonderful hands for her last days. i know it's hard, but take comfort in knowing you did all you could do. she obviously had the best chance at life because she was with someone who truly cared and did all they could.

i'm sorry for your loss.
 
Know that you made the right decision, Derek. I have no doubt about that. She was suffering, something was very wrong with her (be it her kidneys, skin, or other) and no one could have done more or tried harder for her.

Sorry to hear, Derek. My sympathies to you and your stepson.
 
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