Update on Gunthar

[bazmonkey]

I still have to get a picture of it in the same light to make a better judgement, but Gunthar's eye look a lot better. Still blue-ish, but not nearly as cloudy. I've found with snakes in the past that keeping them a little warmer (a couple degrees or so, which for Gunthar is no cooler than 82, no warmer than 90 under the lamp) and more humid (low 70's) can really help a lot of illnesses, so on the off-chance he was battling something I gave it a try. Of course, I have no idea if that was it or not.

And the other good news is that I can't take a picture of him right now because he just ate his first f/t rat. I'm very happy that it only took him one feeding of live since being under my care to accept dead prey. No more weekly trips to the rodent farm!

I know this particular forum is for health concerns, but is bi-weekly feeding for a 4' boa enough food, or should he still be eating weekly? He eats good-sized rats, enough to leave a noticeable lump for 3 days or so, and he defectated his last meal two days ago (two weeks after eating).

[sclark]

Re:Update on Gunthar

Hey Baz,

Sounds like the feeding are right where they should be..

As for the temp increase, I agree.. It can help with may things, mainly RI.. As for upping the humidity, depends.. If the snake is dehydrated, yes, if it has RI, no, you would want to lower it, say to about 30-40%..

Glad things seem better.. Keep us posted..
Steve

[bazmonkey]

Re:Update on Gunthar

Consider the humidity lowered :-)

I read ~60% humidity off a caresheet, but I have more faith in you guys. Besides, that makes my job a lot easier.

[sclark]

Re:Update on Gunthar

Hey Baz,

Glad you have faith in this forum. Most are here like myself, only to help..

Now I just wanted to clarrify something.. If you have a normal setup for a BCI Columbian boa the best humidity is between 55-65% depending on your current area in the US.. Now my suggestion for lower humdity and higher temps are for help with certain health issues, like anything respritory related. Also for any bad burns or cuts.. Now for all these lower humidity and slightly higher temps can help the snake heal faster and better. Personally for the eye problem, I would maintain the humidity to your normal, and the few degrees of extra heat is not a bad thing. Now without a vet visit there is no way to be 100%, but the more I think about your problem, I would lay a guess (Yes a Guess) that is may be some type of eye injury that happened below the layers and may shed off over time.. But like I said its a guess.. Hope soon your money situation turns around and you can get him to a different vet..

Good Luck and keep us posted..
Steve

[bazmonkey]

Re:Update on Gunthar

With a little luck he should be to a vet by this weekend.

[BadBoyJay]

Re:Update on Gunthar

I hope boa's doing fine. Trust me, all the help you need with boas or any other type of reptile, arachnid, and things in the lines of that is here. All the people like Steve, clay, barracuda, xzylum,eddie, mitch, and theres alot more, they all know what there talking about and there's plenty of people here to give you a hand with whatever the situation. Glad to hear the situation is getting better and keep us posted. Good luck. ;D 8)

[Red]

Re:Update on Gunthar

So he is healthy other then the eye..
That is very positive... This is the one you found right...?
Well good job... I dream about that somtimes... Just finding a snake that is... One time I had a dream about me crawling up on this trailer that is out side of my grandmas' house... Lifted up a board and there was like 10 columbians... And it was my dream so they where all just as tame as puppy's... hehe...
Have fun with that one....
Eric aka...Red

[bazmonkey]

Re:Update on Gunthar

Yeah, Red, he's the one I found. Well, my friend found him. When I first got him he was pretty... ugly. He had creases in his skin (I believe that's dehydration, not sure), he was spitting up water from over-hydrating his body, he was really dull-colored, etc. His eye looks to be clearing up more and more each day (he's still going to get another vet trip, though), and he's taking pre-killed food. His shed was beautiful, he looks downright good now, plump and happy.

It was a dream come true for me. I've taken a couple kingsnakes that people who know me accidentally step on, find in their house, etc., and got them tame/healthy enough to be given to petshops I trust, but this guy was just perfect. I was wanting to get a larger snake, and the very next day after pondering it he shows up. Tame as a puppy, easy to nurse back to health... everything I could ask for. Definitely the "coolest" thing that's happened to me as a herper.

[sclark]

Re:Update on Gunthar

Hey Baz,

You are doing great with that boa.. Keep us updated how he is doing.. Gotta love the snake that is glad to be in a loving home..

Steve

[Max2008]

Re:Update on Gunthar

awesome job dude, and like jay said, if you ever have any probs, this place is almost like a vets office, ( im not saying not to bring him though ), these people here probaby know more about snakes and stuff then most vets do anyway 8) Keep up the good work ;D ;D

[BadBoyJay]

Re:Update on Gunthar

ya know baz, clay has these caresheets up in the forum that you can download and print out. They are very helpful in careing for your boa, I would highly suggest doing that. There a great reference tool. Kepp us posted!! 8)