Worried

Ekke · #1 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 03:52 PM

I think I might be over reacting, but for the first time ever Medusa has refused food. She's been on a strike for 2 months now. It's since I moved her into the new cage. She keeps moveing to the coldest (16 degrees Celsius)side of the cage the warm side is at about 30. If I pick her up she's very cold then I move her to the warm side she will stay there till she warms up and then move of again. She now has a mark on her head don't know if it's related. It looks like dry scales that are indented. She has not been blue so it can't be shed this is just for the last day or two. Please see pic.
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Please tell me it's nothing......

Marco Chalupa · #2 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 04:06 PM

It's winter in your part of the globe at the moment, so that might be the reason that she is refusing food.

When was her last shed and does she still eat when she is in shed?

Ekke · #3 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 04:14 PM

el cascabel How did I know (hope) you would be the first to get back to me.

Yes it's winter here but she has never before "hibernated" Last shed was about 10 weeks ago before I moved her. She never refuse to eat she would be so blue she dumps into the mouse and still eat. If I put food in she goes over to it smells it a bit and then just leave it I have even tried smaller mice (half size). I just don't know her like this she would rip a mouse in two and still eat the two pieces.

morti · #4 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 04:26 PM

I betcha she wants to brumate. Even if the change between your home in summer and winter is negligible, your snake still knows.

If it were me, I'd put her down for brumation for about a month. She should pop out of brumation ready to eat.

Marco Chalupa · #5 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekke

el cascabel How did I know (hope) you would be the first to get back to me.
Yes it's winter here but she has never before "hibernated" Last shed was about 10 weeks ago before I moved her. She never refuse to eat she would be so blue she dumps into the mouse and still eat. If I put food in she goes over to it smells it a bit and then just leave it I have even tried smaller mice (half size). I just don't know her like this she would rip a mouse in two and still eat the two pieces.

Burmation might help her get on the right track, but She may have a stuck shed. Place her in a container like a tub with holes and some wet paper towels. Make sure that the water is warm, but not too warm. Use as many paper towels as you need because she is going to need to move around in there and rub her body all over those moist towels.

Hopefully this will help get that shed off. You can leave her in there for about an hour and then give her a break. Repeat if necessary. This works for me every time.

Ekke · #6 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el cascabel

Burmation might help her get on the right track, but She may have a stuck shed. Place her in a container like a tub with holes and some wet paper towels. Make sure that the water is warm, but not too warm. Use as many paper towels as you need because she is going to need to move around in there and rub her body all over those moist towels.
Hopefully this will help get that shed off. You can leave her in there for about an hour and then give her a break. Repeat if necessary. This works for me every time.

These spots appeared well after her last shed. I don't think its shed that is stuck but will try it in any case.

Okay blonde here how do I Burmation her?

Marco Chalupa · #7 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 03:09 PM

After you try the paper towel in the box thing, put her enclosure with fresh bedding and a fresh water bowl in a safe cool (not too cold) place like a closet. My brum temps are from 60 - 68 degrees F. The most important thing to remember is to keep it dark. Check on her a few of times a week and take her out of brumation at the beginning of Spring.

Keep us posted.

Ekke · #8 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 03:40 PM

Okay 2 small problems with that brum. Her incloser in 1.2m by 1.2m won't fit in a closet. Second the temps here fall below to 32 degrees F at night (yes 0 degrees C ) But I have a plan. The cold side on her enclosed is about that so if I switch of one of the two heat pads they whole cage should drop to that (+-) and then just cover the windows.

I'm thinking outloud.

Lets try that.

TammyJamaica · #9 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 04:07 PM

This is beyond me, Ekke, but it looks like El Cascabel is helping you very much here. I just thought that maybe a trip to a good herp vet first, if there are any in your area, might be a good idea just in case anything else is wrong?

I know next to nothing about brumation/hibernation.

My turtle hibernated sometimes by burying herself in the garden for months.

Good luck!

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