Sick boas

by **Dentech** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:04 am

Someone called me this morning to ask advice for her sick boas. She wrongly thought like so many people that when it's winter, your snake has to go to sleep, even if it's a boa. After a month of no heat, she noticed weird behaviour like twisting and what seemes like loss of balance, and bumps on the body. She took them to some vet who gave it reptivite, but it died last nite. The other one still lives, but apparently still shows the same simptomes. I sent her to exotic animal clinic. Any help on this?

by **Bushbaby** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:21 am

Yes, give me her number, I'll go beat her!! (Just joking)

It's amazing how many peole think you need to hibernate Boas. Can't they do a little bit of research on the snakes, or do they just take peoples word for it. Surely if she had asked a number of people this could've been avoided.

The best thing for the snake now is high heat and high humidity. The humidity will help loosen any slime in it's lungs, etc, and the heat will help kill the bacteria. Most bacteria found in snakes will die at 32 degrees Celsius.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

by **Dentech** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:49 am

Thanks, will keep you posted.

by **Bushviper** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:48 pm

Loss of balance is usually an indication of brain damage. The brain can be damaged if starved of oxygen which can happen if it is too cold to circulate oxygenated blood. I doubt that it will recover completely.

The bumps are possibly bacteria which would not normally affect the snake and have taken over now that the snakes' immune system has been run down from the stress of being so cold.

PS Kick her ass from all of us please and direct her to this website!

by **Dentech** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 8:29 am

Thanks Bushviper, I also thought it had brain damage, will find out if the poor snake survived the day.

by **Corncrazy** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 10:45 am

Dentech what was the end result with the boa?

by **Dentech** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 3:50 pm

Sorry for the late reply, both died, and the autopsy results will be available on Friday.

by **Corncrazy** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 4:54 pm

Ah that is very sad news :cry:

Let us no wat the results were

by **Neboo** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 5:24 pm

Sorry to here that :cry:

by **Bushbaby** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 10:19 pm

RI or Neumonia (sp?) I am sure.

by **Dentech** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 8:15 am

Its just sad that things like this should still happen with all the free info available these days. I think the breeders as well as the pet shops should take a bit more responsibility in informing potential first-time buyers. Many people think that when a pet is readily available, then it must be easy to keep.

by **Bushbaby** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 8:19 am

I agree with you on that Dentech. It is VERY irresponsible of the breeders / pet shops not to tell them.

by **FREDSTER** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 4:48 pm

My general idea (very generalised opinion)is that most pet shops hire youngsters who believe they are very knowledgeable about snakes but in fact dont have a clue about keeping snakes,these youngsters then sell snakes to people new to the hobby and giving the inncorrect advice leads to a tragic ending for the snake,a grumpy client and a bad name for our hobby.

by **froot** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 4:54 pm

Very good point Fredster. I have noticed this myself as well.

by **Corncrazy** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:23 pm

I agree Fredster, also pet shops hire any person who has no idea with any live stock, its never good.. They jst there for the buck :evil:

Sick boas

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