Boa with possible neck injury

DM1975 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:23 PM

OK, so I have this albino boa that is about 16 mmonths old. She has always been really mean, with moments of kindness. I sprayed her with Mite Off about a week ago and when I did she spun around trying to bite whatever was touching her (the spray) and she hooked her skin with a tooth. She immediately wrapped up around herself twisting her neck around really bad.

Ever since then she has held her head up at about a 45% angle. She is still fast and pissy, but she wouldn't eat last night. When I go to pick her up after she calms down she does this mild corkscrewing with her head and neck. My buddy said that he thought it was IBD and that it can pop up like that, but I wonder if it is just a spinal/neck injury? If it is IBD then it is a mild tremor/star gazing rather than what you see on Youtube videos. What would you all think?

buck2003 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:25 PM

Is it possible that she's ingested some of the mite spray?

HERPHAPPY · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:35 PM

Sounds more likely to be a neck injury to me, and if that was my snake, she'd have an x-ray by the vet to be sure, followed by whatever he/she recommends. If your neck had dislocated vertebra and hurt, how much would YOU want to eat???

louise · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:37 PM

no symptoms before spraying her?

DM1975 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:40 PM

No symptoms before spraying her. Also, when she calms down and starts to crawl around on my hand she can move her neck in all directions and it seems to be without any problems.

On injesting the spray, it was Mite Off, which is supposed to be completely non-toxic. I have used it on most of my snakes with zero ill effects.

DM1975 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:42 PM

If it had just been keeping her head up it would be one thing, but the cork screwing is what concerns me the most.

morti · #7 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:42 PM

Take it to a vet.

DM1975 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morti

Take it to a vet.

Well that would be a good idea if we had a vet that knew anything about reptiles around here.

HERPHAPPY · #9 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DM1975

If it had just been keeping her head up it would be one thing, but the cork screwing is what concerns me the most.

IBD is hard to test for...much easier to x-ray for a more likely cause...see the vet!

HERPHAPPY · #10 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DM1975

Well that would be a good idea if we had a vet that knew anything about reptiles around here.

I'd still bet they can see a broken neck on an xray....

louise · #11 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:48 PM

the corkscrewing would scare me too. it needs to see a vet. keep it quarantined just in case.

DM1975 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HERPHAPPY

I'd still bet they can see a broken neck on an xray....

I don't doubt that. I am not opposed to taking the snake to the vet, but I was coming on here to see if their may be anyone else with the same experiene rather than just the generic "take it to the vet" comment, but thanks.

morti · #13 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:50 PM

I note that your town is about an hour drive from Topeka.

Herp Vet Connection

There is one listed in Topeka

louise · #14 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DM1975

I don't doubt that. I am not opposed to taking the snake to the vet, but I was coming on here to see if their may be anyone else with the same experiene rather than just the generic "take it to the vet" comment, but thanks.

i remember old threads like this and the person had to take the snake to the vet

DM1975 · #15 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morti

I note that your town is about an hour drive from Topeka.

Herp Vet Connection

There is one listed in Topeka

I know of it. With three kids and being disabled and having to get my wife to drive me, which includes all of the kids on an hour long drive, my firstreaction would be to ask people that would hopefully have some knowledge just in case it may be a wasted trip. I am not looking for a pitty party here, just trying to get you to look at it from my perspective.

DM1975 · #16 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louise

i remember old threads like this and the person had to take the snake to the vet

Thanks for the stellar help.

morti · #17 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DM1975

I don't doubt that. I am not opposed to taking the snake to the vet, but I was coming on here to see if their may be anyone else with the same experiene rather than just the generic "take it to the vet" comment, but thanks.

Even if I had seen 10 of them with the exact same symptoms, my internet diagnosis would be meaningless because this situation is different.

A hands-on visit with a qualified vet will diagnose the problem. Relying on your narrative on the web with out even a picture, let alone hands on the snake would be inappropriate.

HERPHAPPY · #18 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DM1975

I don't doubt that. I am not opposed to taking the snake to the vet, but I was coming on here to see if their may be anyone else with the same experiene rather than just the generic "take it to the vet" comment, but thanks.

Ever think there may be a good reason for the generic answer?
Diagnosing yourself on the internet is bad medicine and wastes precious time...what makes you think a snake is any different?

SUAD · #19 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DM1975

I don't doubt that. I am not opposed to taking the snake to the vet, but I was coming on here to see if their may be anyone else with the same experiene rather than just the generic "take it to the vet" comment, but thanks.

Well, I mean...people only say that because....

A. no one here is a vet.

B. It's the intelligent response.

C. take it to a vet.

D. One self-appointed snake whisperer is all this board can take for one week.

E. take it to a vet.

F. If I were the snake, I'd want a vet. Well...if I could process thoughts in such a manner.

G. I have not had this problem with any snakes, fortunately, and therefore I would take it to a vet.

H. morti listed vets, and morti often makes sense. Not always, mind you, but often.

I. ....I've run out of anything funny to say, so just take it to the vet, and keep us updated!

DM1975 · #20 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HERPHAPPY

Ever think there may be a good reason for the generic answer?
Diagnosing yourself on the internet is bad medicine and wastes precious time...what makes you think a snake is any different?

Why have this prtion of the forum then? Just have a big section that says TAKE IT TO THE VET!!!! instead. Thanks to those for any helpful advise I did get.

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