There is a dog and cat rescue about 40 minutes away from me that has one foster home who also takes in reptiles. I check their site from time to time, but until this week haven't added to the household at all. This week I saw an ornery 6' RTB listed. Apparently he'd been found as a stray, covered in what appear to be old bite wounds from a rat or some such critter.

The animal shelter he ended up at 1) couldn't handle him and 2) couldn't contain him(he kept escaping), so he ended up with the rescue. For some reason after reading his description I had to have him. So...today I made the drive out and took him home. It's been a couple of years since I've had a snake larger than my H. nasicus, so I'm really excited to have this guy here.

Meet Vlad:










I do have a question. His foster home took him to the vet to check on the scars and to ask about the fact that he wheezes when he's handled or agitated. She says the vet told her that the wheezing was not something to be concerned about since it only happens when he's agitated. The vet she took him to is experienced with herps, but I'm tempted to take him to the reptile/avian specialty clinic near me because the wheezing really worries me. Thoughts?

[ Hide Replies ]

• My new rescue *W/pics* - wolfchan, Tue Jul 3 00:42:53 2007
• RE: My new rescue *W/pics* - TimS, Tue Jul 3 01:45:41 2007
• Boas tend to "blow" - maizeysdad, Tue Jul 3 06:18:03 2007
• I agree.... - AbsoluteApril, Tue Jul 3 11:10:40 2007
• RE: Boas tend to "blow" - wolfchan, Tue Jul 3 12:13:42 2007
• Mine did this when I first got him - laurarfl, Tue Jul 3 17:58:57 2007