Disgusting

Nautical · #1 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 03:04 PM

So yesterday proceeded to clean out slivers cage. I wanted to switch the substrate from bark to eco earth. While removing the bark from its cage i soon realized that his previous owners did not care for him very well. It looked as if they had never cleaned out his cage before. I found urates all over the place, but buried under the bark so that someone couldnt see them if they were just looking at the bark. The branches they had in the cage for climbing had mold and rot on them where they were under the bark. It was horrible. On top of that I have been noticing that while i handle Sliver its very easy for me to feel his ribs and back bone. Now i am still new to snakes but i dont think that is normal, so im guessing he was also under fed. So i completely cleaned out the cage with the bleach/water solution and threw away everything that was in the cage. i got him a new water bowl, a new hide and put the eco earth in. I am still looking for some branches that i like to put in for him to climb. Now i feel like i rescued the poor animal. it makes me glad that i got him. Oh, about the ribs and back bone, how should i go about getting him to what can be considered normal weight? should i feed him maybe more frequently for awhile? i was thinking about giving him a small rat every 7 days. Would that be ok?

chimneyfog · #2 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 03:20 PM

that sounds like the same predicament im in. The Boa I got a few weeks ago looks very neglected, his Viv was so poor that I had to build a new one and throw the old one away.

I also need to feed mine up too so I'm putting her on weekly feeding regime. A medium sized rodent or rabbit, no larger then her girth at the widest point, is what I'll be giving her for the next few months. After that she'll be switched to a varied feeding schedule.

People who don't care for the complex needs of their exotic animals make me mad. Its crazy they're allowed to buy them.

RevMojo · #3 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 03:27 PM

Pix, measurements, and weight information would help us gauge whether or not he's underfed.

You may want to try cypress mulch rather than more expensive, pet-shop substrates. It's very mold resistant, holds humidity well, and is considerably cheaper.

Sounds like it's a good thing you got him.

Nautical · #4 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 03:29 PM

I will try to get pictures and approx. weight and everything later today after my classes. cypress mulch? where would i get this?

BonafideHerps · #5 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 04:01 PM

I had bought a custom cage from a guy a while back and it was almost in the same shape. Had uranates all over the tank and smelled like you know what! I washed it with bleach/water mix and then let it dry out for two days...and still to this day when I open the cage I can still smell it. I dont know if its in my head or its really there.

But pics would be great. But I believe a 7 Day feeding period would work.

Rich L

MED04 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 04:01 PM

You can get cypress at Lowe's or Home Depot. You may also want to treat it first to make sure all unwelcome additions (mites) are gone.

HARTSOCK · #7 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MED04

You can get cypress at Lowe's or Home Depot. You may also want to treat it first to make sure all unwelcome additions (mites) are gone.

Good advice, once I use up the apsen I am going for cypress, seems to be the best thing to use.

As far as the ribs showing, pick up the snake and blow into its mouth, that will pop the sides back out! easy fix! LOL actually, make sure you don't over feed from the beginning. A snake that has been straved or underfed, may have problems with an influx of big or many meals. You will actually be hurting it more than helping it. It's kindeys and other organs need time to adjust to processing food again, so start small and slowly increase to the proper feeding schedule. I know that the look of the ribs can be worrisome, but you want to go slow and steady and you'll get him back up to where he should be in no time with less risk than trying to start out at full feeding compacity right away. Good Luck!

Nautical · #8 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 08:31 PM

Ok. I got some pictures. Also I've measured him to be about 3 feet long with a girth of about 4.5 inches, i couldnt get a weight but i dont think its more than a pound or so. heres the pictures

Thanks All.

Draggon · #9 (**permalink**) 09-08-2007, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hartsock

make sure you don't over feed from the beginning. A snake that has been straved or underfed, may have problems with an influx of big or many meals. You will actually be hurting it more than helping it. It's kindeys and other organs need time to adjust to processing food again, so start small and slowly increase to the proper feeding schedule. I know that the look of the ribs can be worrisome, but you want to go slow and steady and you'll get him back up to where he should be in no time with less risk than trying to start out at full feeding compacity right away. Good Luck!

Great advice from hartsock... I would definantly go with that

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