Snake fell and is now lethargic

[shaberry]

Hey guys, yesterday Aries was climbing at the top lip of her viv again, and she fell on top of her water bowl. After that, I took her out of her viv. to look her over to make sure she was ok. Upon inspecting her, I noticed that some of her scales were protruding(?) on her sides. It looked as if something was either popping out from the inside or either she rubbed herself the wrong way against one of her plant branch decor things. I'm starting to think she broke a rib or something when she hit the water bowl. But, I really don't know what to make out of it.

Also, when I was handling her, she was moving a bit slower than usual. And, she was acting calmer than usual too. But, I dismissed that as a temporary shock from the fall or possibly because she's getting used to me. This morning, I found her outside of her viv. in plain sight (which she normally doesn't do). So, I went to go check on her and see if she was ok by presenting my hand to her. Usually, she acknowledges it, but this morning she didn't even move. So, I went to pick her up to see if she was still alive, because she was worrying me. And, she barely moved when I picked her up. When I'm holding her, she doesn't feel limp, but she barely moves. So, I don't know what to think.

After looking her over, I put her in her warm hide. I don't know if it would be any help, but I really don't know what to do. I'm thinking about bringing her to the vet, but I don't know what that will do for her. Also, she's been looking a bit malnourished. I'm starting to see her spine. I try to feed her as often as I can (every 5 days), but she's a problem feeder. So, she doesn't have a set feeding schedule. The last time she was fed was 6 days ago. Previous to that meal, she waited 10 days till she decided to eat.

I was thinking about feeding her today, but I don't know how to go about it. Since, she's in a lethargic state, I don't think that she'll have the energy to get the pinky parts down. I've heard about a pinky pump to force feed problem feeders, but I don't know where I can get one locally. Would I be able to get it from my vet?

What do you guys think is going on with Aries?

 

[RobbiesCornField]

She might have bruised something, or she could have even fractured or broken a rib, so it's painful for her to move. The only way to really tell would be to have an x-ray done by a vet. If you do take her to the vet, they'll be able to tube feed her for you, and possibly recommend a syringe system so you can do it at home if need be. But it is very dangerous to do it on your own if you're inexperienced.

 

[shaberry]

Yeah, I was thinking that. I heard that if you feed with a syringe that there's a possibility of putting the food in a lung. *sigh* I really wish she hadn't hurt herself. I don't know what to do now. I just looked up the pricing for an x-ray and it's $75. That's a bit too much for my budget at the moment. I feel so horrible. As much as I'd want to have an x-ray I really don't have the money to get it done. >.<;;;

About the feeding, should I just try to feed her or take her to the vet, and have them inject her with food?

Thanks Robbie for the advise. =)

 

[Nanci]

I doubt she could break anything by falling 12" on to aspen. Is she lethargic because she is starving? Could weakness have caused the fall?

 

[MinLynn]

If you can see her spine,then I'd chalk it up to being hungry and malnourished,rather than the fall. My one 08 falls onto his stuff all the time(because he's getting too big to fit up in the lid). He's a climber and always has been. It's never affected him like you're describing. However, if you really are seeing something protrude from his side, then that would warrant a vet visit I would think.

 

[psychoprimate84]

I wouldn't say Aries is weak from hunger because for a snake, 6-10 days really isn't that long. If it were a month, I would say that was the case.

 

[RobbiesCornField]

I wouldn't say Aries is weak from hunger because for a snake, 6-10 days really isn't that long. If it were a month, I would say that was the case.

But you have to take into account that you can see the spine. That's indicative of a snake that is a bit too skinny. So yes, the weakness could be hunger related even though it does eat every 5-10 days.

 

[shaberry]

I doubt she could break anything by falling 12" on to aspen. Is she lethargic because she is starving? Could weakness have caused the fall?

She actually fell on her (clay?) water bowl. She was moving actively around her viv until she fell. Then she just started moving around slowly and today I found her all lethargic like. But, maybe is cause she's weak from not eating. If she's too weak to move, how will she eat then? Will she be able to get the pinky pieces down?

 

[bitsy]

I heard that if you feed with a syringe that there's a possibility of putting the food in a lung

That's really not likely. Their windpipe is a small tube that opens in the floor of their mouth. The food (or feeding tube) goes down the back of their throat. It would be very difficult to accidentally insert a feeding syringe into the windpipe. You do still need to be shown how to syringe feed by a vet.

However, as she was very active immediately before the fall, I don't think the fall has suddenly precipitated the effects of malnourishment.

It might be worth getting a vet check, even if just to put your mind at rest. Although broken ribs are very unpleasant, they do heal in Corns without intervention and an area of damage as small as you describe shouldn't cause any long-term problems. I have a snake who has pretty catastrophic crush injuries along the first third of his length and he's one of my most reliable (and active) feeders.

Is she due for a shed at all? That could explain the change in behaviour, which might just be coincidental to the fall.

 

[Pasodama]

A few questions ...

- Are you feeding her pinkie parts? (At 8 grams, a couple/few weeks ago, she should be able to eat a whole sm. pinkie ... back then and now).
- Have you weighed her, lately, to see if she has, indeed, lost any weight?
- Is it just some scales protruding (as if rubbed the opposite way that they should lie) or do you, actually, see something protruding from her side/s?

 

[shaberry]

A few questions ...

- Are you feeding her pinkie parts? (At 8 grams, a couple/few weeks ago, she should be able to eat a whole sm. pinkie ... back then and now).
When I got her, she wasn't able to eat a small pinky. I've tried twice feeding her a whole pinky and she refused to eat it. But, when I put it to pieces, she eats some. Also, I think she doesnt eat a whole pinky because she seems to have a very small throat/neck. It kind of looks abnormally thin and narrow. I'll post pics of it as soon as I can.
- Have you weighed her, lately, to see if she has, indeed, lost any weight?
I haven't weighed her lately. But, will also do so soon.
- Is it just some scales protruding (as if rubbed the opposite way that they should lie) or do you, actually, see something protruding from her side/s?
I really don't know. It could be either. Sorry for such a vague answer. I'll try and take pictures and post them as soon as possible.

Just wondering, how should I go about feeding Aries if she's in such a weakened state? Should I still try feeding her cut up pieces of a pinky? Or should I try smashing/grinding the pinky to bits and force feeding it to her through a syringe? If I do it by the syringe, how long should I make the cath? And what kind of tubing is acceptable for the cath? Can I get something from a local pet store like PetSmart or Petco? (They're all I have around me.)

Also, thanks guys for all of your advise. I really appreciate all your help. =)

 

[psychoprimate84]

Have you tried slitting a whole pinkie? Sometimes its not so much the sight of it as it is the smell of it. Force feeding could make things worse, esp. if Aries is indeed injured.

 

[shaberry]

Slit the pinky and brained it, tried everything I possibly could. She only ate pinky parts. But, she died today. =(

Thanks for all the advise guys. I really appreciate all the help that you guys provided me with when Aries was still alive.

 

[bitsy]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that. I honestly don't believe that she starved, from your description of how she was behaving up to the point where she fell.

 

[shaberry]

Yeah, I was thinking that the main reason for her behavior was the fall. But, I was really hoping that it was the malnourishment. *sigh* I feel so horrible about all of this.

Thanks for the condolences bitsy. I really appreciate it.

 

[RobbiesCornField]

I'm so sorry to hear she didn't make it...

 

[shaberry]

Thanks for the condolences Robbie. I really appreciate it.

 

[Pasodama]

Oh, wow, ... my heartfelt condolences on your loss.

You did not have her long enough for malnourishment to be the cause ... especially if she was taking in at least something during feedings (BTW, via your explanation, I understand why you were feeding pinkie parts).
It does seem that she was not well established, prior to your getting her, though.
My thoughts are that there may have been one, of two, causes ... 1) She had an underlying problem that manifested, coincidentally, with the fall Or 2) It was the fall itself.
(Neither, of the above mentioned, would be your fault).

For future reference (in case someone should find this helpful), I have had babies/young'uns in tanks, before, and always hated that they would crawl up, and into, the ledge/lip at the top of the tank's sides. So, I went out and purchased some square wood dowels that were of the perfect size to fit between the screen top and the lip/ledge of the tank ... cut the lengths down to size (to fit all four sides)... and glued them in with tank sealant. Problem solved.

 

[shaberry]

Thanks so much for your condolences Pasodama. I really appreciate your reassurances on Aries' condition and words of comfort. Also, thanks so much for your advise on covering up the lip on the tank. After this situation, I don't think I would ever want my future corns climbing on the lip of the viv. I know some people say it's fine, and I thought it was too, until this incident happened. The lip might have not been the cause, but I'm just so tainted with this association that I can't bear to even let the possibility exist.