Help my BCI is sick!!!!!!! and im scared

Solidsnake · #1 (**permalink**) 03-24-2002, 10:02 AM

About a week ago i realized my Boas belly was pink...so i called the vet and she said that she may have a bleeding disorder...she said to bathe her everyday for thirty mins and to increase the temp of the enclosure...so i did...then i took her to a vet that was recomended to me...she just told me to give her this shot once every 3 days...today i was goin to bathe her and when i rubbed her she kinda roared...or hissed...didnt sound like a hiss though...so i decided to leave her alone...i left home for a while and when i came back she was laying on her side...her belly is still sick...i need some help...im begining to get a little scared for her...she is about 7ft long...and i dont want to part with her...so let me know if you know anything about her sickness... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img]
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Shrub · #2 (**permalink**) 03-24-2002, 10:13 AM

I am no expert, and just got my first snake, but I would think you should bring her back to the vet and ask whats exactly wrong, and if she sends you away with instructions, ask her to specify exactly what to do and how to do it.

Good luck with your snake.
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brandbrit · #3 (**permalink**) 03-24-2002, 03:42 PM

Hi! I am so sorry about your snake [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img] You didn't specify if you took your snake to a regular vet or to a vet that specializes in exotics. If you didn't take your snake to an exotics specialist---do it now!!! If you did, did they speak to you about doing blood/chemical analysis? Anyway, good luck on your snake and keep us informed...
brandbrit
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BoaBabe · #4 (**permalink**) 03-24-2002, 03:54 PM

I've been quoted as being no expert (sorry, rant off), but this is one thing it could possibly be. Did you recently change her enclosure or method of heating? I only ask because I had a simlar problem with one of my snakes. I had changed her to a new bigger enclosure, with a new heat light. It ended up while temps in the cage were ok, it got waaaay to hot in her humidity box (this is for one of my BRB's) As soon as I caught this and turned out the light, the pink went away in a matter of hours. I know everyone says to keep the thermometers 1 inch off the cage floor, but to be safe, I always put the thermometer right on the cage floor over the heat source. Also, what exactly did the vet say was wrong with her, and what did he prescribe (Amikacin?) IMO, I would go for a second oppinion asap Hope this helps ya out somehow, and hope she will be ok [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]
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eddie · #5 (**permalink**) 03-24-2002, 04:42 PM

Hmm,
Pink belly, lying on her side...
Hissing when handled....

My first thought was shedding making her pink and hissy, but with the side laying, i dunno.
Could be a combination of shed along with a thermal burn, like BB suggested.

My second thought was a question.
Has she been around any boy boas?

My 3rd thought is parasites?!?

The first vet prolly thought shed also, hence the directions for soaking.

What are the meds the second vet gave you? Batryl, amikacin, panacur, strongid?
This can help us out possibly.
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Boaguy · #6 (**permalink**) 03-24-2002, 04:48 PM

pink belly could be because she's about to shed....
and laying on there side is usualy a sign of... pregnacy..
has she been around other boas?
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Solidsnake · #7 (**permalink**) 03-24-2002, 09:11 PM

yeah its amikacin...and shes not pregnant she hasnt seen another boa all her life...yeah i just recently changed her enclosure...two weeks later her belly was pink...she is about to shed...hopefully thats whats wrong with her...should i still soak her???...i dont wont to bother her...and she wasnt completely laying on her side...she was just a little bit on her side...ill keep yall updated... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]
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mirabelasunshine · #8 (**permalink**) 03-24-2002, 09:53 PM

Solidsnake -- I feel for you; it's sometimes hard to sort out what are "symptoms" from what is just normal for your particular snake. We have two bci who both turn pink on the belly before they shed. They have both had illnesses in the past of which pinkness was a symptom, but eventually we figured out that they just do this anyhow even when they are well. Our herp vet's last advice was that if the pinkness is even -- meaning, no spots, blotches, localized areas, but everywhere, tail to throat -- and if the scales aren't swelling, filling with fluid, crumpling, or doing other infection-like things, then just let the snake shed and see if he/she is OK afterward. We did this, and three shed cycles later we've deduced that our particular snakes turn pink before shed. No problem.

I'm hardly an old pro at this, but it seems to me that if anything bacterial were going on, the amikacin probably would have put a dent in it, so you should be safe waiting it out until your boa sheds, and then seeing how she is. Snakes get sick slowly & get well slowly, for the most part. Soaking her probably won't hurt; mine seem to appreciate being misted before a shed.

Anyway, good luck & post back after shed & let us know what happened.

- MS
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Solidsnake · #9 (**permalink**) 03-25-2002, 05:13 AM

hey mirabellasunshine...i think met you a few weeks ago at east bay vivarium...it was on a saturday...and i asked about if you cooled your breeding boas...i dont know if you remember but...it was me and my buddy who asked you...i just wanted to tell you...and thanks for the advice man...take it easy...thanks to everyone for the advice you all have been great help... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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Constrictor_BO · #10 (**permalink**) 03-26-2002, 06:59 AM

Solidsnake.. what substrate do you use? How hot is it on the bottom of it's cage?
The redness can be a sign of upcoming shed but if she is laying on her side could be a sign of thermal burn and it bothers her to lay on it. I would turn the heat(UTH) off for a couple days. Make sure you use a light day and night to keep her warm though. Keep a close eye on her and see if you can detect any changes.
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Solidsnake · #11 (**permalink**) 03-26-2002, 08:43 AM

i had her on cypress...that forest floor i think it was called...so i switched to paper towel...im letting some newspaper dry out so that i can use that...the bottom is not very hot...shes in a wooden enclosure 2x2x4...and i have a 250 watt CHE on a rheostat...do you know how to keep the humidity high when you have paper as a substrate???thanks [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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Dr.Oviparous · #12 (**permalink**) 03-26-2002, 09:33 AM

sorry, not much advice I can give that hasn't already been givivn, but how large is her water dish? I keep a smaller size kitty litter plastic pan in with "zeus" this helps humidity, and shedding. he loves soakin' [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] ! I know how you feel, though. Zeus is now overcoming a respitory infection, at least I know what it is! I would hate to be in your shoes, and not know [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img] but yeah, I would suggest bringin' her to an exotics expert and get a straight up answer about her. keep us posted, and good luck! -Juggalo
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JuliusSqueezer · #13 (**permalink**) 03-26-2002, 10:50 AM

I'm lost. What was the diagnosis and reasoning for antibiotics? It sounds like the redness has been concluded to be a symptom of an upcoming shed. Sounds like the Vet jumped the gun on the meds.

Does she still lay on her side or was this just a one time thing?

Was the laying on the side going on before or after the shots?

How is she now?

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ratsickle · #14 (**permalink**) 03-27-2002, 08:01 AM

Hi,
Dosen't sound to good, remember not all Vets have herp experience, some are striclty large animals while other's are dog and cats, there are a few that are good with birds, but reptile are proaply the most difficult to find.
Here's a post that list herp vets , by state, with reccomendations by herp owner's.
My dogs vet will not even see a herp she' knows better, some Vets are to proud or stubborn to admit they don't know squat about snakes.
Here's the post try and find someone near you good luck
doug

http://www.herpvetconnection.com/
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scooby · #15 (**permalink**) 03-31-2002, 07:39 AM

hey solidsnake,

I am a regular at EBV too [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Do you know that one girl behind the counter? The one who always changes her contacts...brunette hair...about 18 or so....SUPER CUTE!

I think she is so cute! She's probably too young for me though [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img] haha

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mirabelasunshine · #16 (**permalink**) 03-31-2002, 08:32 AM

Hey, solidsnake. I remember you -- you had that big pretty Brazilian out of the cage, right? Or was it a Peruvian? Whatever -- awesome snake. It was nice meeting you. So how is your snake doing now? Shed yet? Looking better? Acting right? Let us know...

I'm still waiting to see what Noodle is going to drop -- she's starting to shrink down just a bit, which the manual says she's supposed to do within a few weeks of parturition. I can't believe she'll deliver many live ones, since body weight wasn't real great when she started, but I guess we can only wait and see. She's turning *pissy*!! I just go in there to change her water, and I get "The Look." Anxious to have my big, calm, rubbery buddy back again when this is all done.

See you next time at the viv.
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Solidsnake · #17 (**permalink**) 03-31-2002, 09:51 AM

yeah she shedded and her belly is back to normal...im very happy that shes back to normal...i just fed her...shes doin great thanks for all the help everybody... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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mirabelasunshine · #18 (**permalink**) 04-01-2002, 02:31 AM

Cool! I'd be interested to know how common this pre-shed pink is in boas -- none of the care sheets I've read mention it, nor does the "Boa Constrictor Manual," yet it seems to be the first sign of impending shed in all three of my snakes. It's a worrisome thing, since some problems that really are problems manifest that way, too.
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