|
1-10 of 13 messages
|
Page 1 of 2
Next
|
|
Sick Gaboon
|
Reply
|
|
by ianb on February 20, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I've had a female Gaboon for 11 years. She's a solid eater like most. I've never had any feeding issues except when she was pregnant. She hasn't eaten since Nov. She frequently has her mouth open(sometimes with a raised neck). Other than that she looks as healthy and plump as usual. No abnormal saliva or anything else I can notice. I consulted a vet who said it sounded like an upper respiratory infection and just to give her decent heat and watch her closely and maybe spray the cage out everyday. I've been doing this and she finally ate a collosal frozen rat last week. It still took her a while to take interest compared to grabbing it so hard my whole body shakes at the end of the stick which is normal. Unfortunately two days later she regurgitated(first time in 11 years). Any advice would be helpful since she's like family. My next step is to try live for the first time in years.
|
| |
|
RE: Sick Gaboon
|
Reply
|
|
by FSB on February 20, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
When was the lat time she defecated? You should try to get a sample (not too easy with those anal-retentive gaboons!) and get a fecal done.
|
| |
|
RE: Sick Gaboon
|
Reply
|
|
by Crotalusssp on February 20, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
In addition I would also recommend waiting a week maybe more after a regurgitation before attempting to feed again.
Charles
|
| |
|
RE: Sick Gaboon
|
Reply
|
|
by ianb on February 20, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Collossal is just what I have in the freezer. She's been eating one to two per feeding or a rabbit for the last 5-6 years and is as big around as a 10 foot python so it doesn't seem like a big rat is too large. She hasn't deficated in a while, but I will keep an eye eye out. Thanks for the advise so far. Maybe I'll try a live large rat for next feeding to spark her interest. If it is a respiratory issue, is there a chance she has a hard time recognizing the frozen rats as food?
|
| |
|
RE: Sick Gaboon
|
Reply
|
|
by Buzztail1 on February 20, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
A good rule of thumb for any snake that regurgitates is to wait a week or so and then offer a prey item one or two steps down in size.
That it will make it easier for an already stressed digestive system to handle the load of digesting food.
Then you can work back up to normal sized prey.
I say one or two because for some animals there only is one step down. For an animal as big as your Gaboon, two or three steps down from the normal prey item should be good to get it started again. The last thing you want is for it to regurge again.
Good luck.
R/
Karl
|
| |
|
RE: Sick Gaboon
|
Reply
|
|
by FSB on February 23, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Yes, and by all means don't feed it again right away.... sorry, forgot to add that.
|
| |
|
RE: Sick Gaboon
|
Reply
|
|
by ianb on February 23, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I bought a medium rat Sat. It took several hours for her to take it down late Sat evening. I was out of the room at the time and periodically checking in. The rat didn't seem like a threat and kept in the same corner and the snake kept inching foward everytime I came back in the room. Finally before bed I checked to see if I needed to remove the rat and it was gone. She's kept it in so far but still holds her mouth open a lot. Thanks for the advise on the smaller rat. Any more ideas on treating the illness.
|
| |
|
RE: Sick Gaboon
|
Reply
|
|
by AlanHyde on February 24, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hi Ian,
Sorry to hear your gaboon is having difficulties.
Please do not be offended but, it sounds to me that you are over feeding this gaboon.
Adult Gabs thrive best on undersized meals , once every 4-6 weeks is fine. Your gaboon has done well getting to age 11 but they can achieve 20 years .
I have seen what you have described in my overfed rattlesnakes before , I used to be guilty of over feeding when I first kept hots.
I had two female c.d.durissus die from obesity. Before they died the snakes would raise their heads and often gape. Fat had built up on internal organs and this was suffocating the snakes.
Do you have a pic of your gaboon, does it's neck or lower jaw look a bit chubby, almost like a slight double chin?
I may be wrong, I do not know how often youfeed your snake rabbits or large rats, i'm just offering another perspective.
All the best and I hope gabby turns out to be ok.
Al
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Check our help page for help using
, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the
Manager.
|
