2 new Rescues

Bangswitch · #1 (**permalink**) 02-04-2006, 12:07 AM

Ok guys and girls i have 20 ball pythons that ive collected over the years and today i received 2 from a California shelter. I live here in San Antonio and my friend out there knows nothing about snakes so she got them from an animal shelter and shipped them here to me. These 2 are in the worst shape i have ever seen in a ball python. Both are very under weight and horible sheds on their eyes. the smallest is about 30g and the biggest is about 700g but look like they have not been fed in months. How should i start to get them on the road to recovery? Both are now in a 10g tank and the big one is in a 28 qt rubbermade tub. I have already soaked in luke warm water and are now on heat set at 90 degrees. When should i offer food? Hope you good people here can help me with my first 2 rescues. Thanks Thomas

Bangswitch · #2 (**permalink**) 02-04-2006, 12:18 AM

I know its bad to assist feed but i think the little one is very skinny and week.

Reptscue · #3 (**permalink**) 02-04-2006, 12:22 AM

My first thing would to totally quarinteen them in a seperate room. Then, take them to a vet that can examine them and check them for parasites.
You want to wait at least a week to feed. You need to let them settle in their new home.
To hwlp with the eye caps you can put a moist towel in the cage with them for a couple hours and see if they rub off. Becareful because a dehydrated ball python's eye will dimple and look like retained shed.

Reptscue · #4 (**permalink**) 02-04-2006, 12:23 AM

Do not force feed!!!!!!!!!!
Expecially if you are inexperienced!!!!!

Bangswitch · #5 (**permalink**) 02-04-2006, 12:26 AM

They are in another room away from my heathly snakes. These eye caps are bad almost like the very outer one is split looks like a hug build up of sheds. I didnt want to use the towel in the cage thing just yet was going to try that in a week. The shed on the eyes is only on the bigger one. The little one just looks real week almost like it doesnt have very long to go. I am scared that if i assist feed the little one it may be too much stress . But on the other hand he looks very week like i said.

Bangswitch · #6 (**permalink**) 02-04-2006, 12:27 AM

Ive have done it before. The assist feed thing and watched others do it. That is my last resort. I will give them a week to get used to their new home. Thanks REPT for the advice. Just so you know and dont freak out . LOL I have assisted fed before and will only do it as a last resort.

Reptscue · #7 (**permalink**) 02-04-2006, 01:02 AM

Sometimes when an animal is weak and haven't been fed awhile. Or has been puking it is good to start with a meal that is easy to digest. At the clinic we use a high calorie mixture and tube feed them. No hair or bones to digest and still has all the vitamins and minerals.
Oh, and about me "freaking out", I only do that when the person sounds like they don't know their bum from a hole in the ground.

Bangswitch · #8 (**permalink**) 02-04-2006, 01:12 AM

LOL I get you man. I am new to rescues but not to snakes. I wanted some ideas or answers to my questions . Just feel so bad for these two, must be nerve racking to do this alot. I just think they are better here with me than in a shelter that couldnt even sex the properly.

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