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Update on recurring shed - Black Pine

Weekendherper Mar 16, 2006 09:37 AM

A while back I posted about my black pine shedding every 2 weeks or so and was wondering what might cause this. It turns out he had an infected scent gland and it could not be completely drained (the pus was too thick). After closer inspection of pictures I took when I first bought him, I could see a very slight bulge near his vent, and it took another 6 weeks for it to really become noticable. After consulting with my vet I decided to have the infected scent gland removed. At that point I was really not expecting him to come home. The surgery took longer than expected (90 minutes), but it went smoothly. It took a few people in shifts to keep pumping air into him. My vet took him home and gave him baytril over the next 2 weeks, and we just removed the stitches a few weeks ago. I'm happy to report that the recurring shedding has stopped and he's back to his normal self. He's pounded no less than 7 rats over the past 2 weeks, and was so excited about his first post surgery meal that he took a bite out of my hand as an appetizer! If you've never been bitten by an 87" ravenous pinesnake, don't try it! Although my vet didn't have high hopes for him, he seems fine now and we are both very pleased. We'll still keep our fingers crossed that the infection doesn't return.

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1.0 Malagasy Giant Hognose
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.0 Black Milk
1.0 Black Pine
1.0 White Lipped Python
0.1 Dumeril Boa
0.1 Guyana Red Tail Boa
1.0 Yellowtail Cribo
0.0.1 Blacktail Cribo
0.0.1 Black Throat Monitor

Replies (10)

BobS Mar 16, 2006 06:31 PM

I've commented before that that is a nice looking animal. Bob

Br8knitOFF Mar 16, 2006 06:57 PM

That is awesome to hear! Congratulations, and wishing you many happy years together!

//Todd

UAWPrez Mar 17, 2006 01:05 AM

Great looking snake. It's refreshing to hear that someone would go to such great extent and expensive, I'm sure, for a pet snake, especially with todays get rich quick mentallity. I hope he continues to make a full recovery. By the way, how much money did that whole mess set you back? Just curious.
Kirk

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1.1 Jungle Carpet Python (both gorgeous)
1.1 Ball Python (normals, he said proudly)
3.3 hatchling ball pythons (normals)
1.1 Ball Python (het for albino)(gonna make my own albino)
1.1 Corn Snake (Okeetee, Sunglow x Snow)
0.1 Gray band Kingsnake (Blairs)
1.1 Desert Kingsnake
1.1 Pueblan Milksnake (normal)(Apricot)
1.1 Andean Milksnake (Inca phase) (het)
1.0 Bullsnake (normal)(my garbage disposal snake)
1.1 Bullsnake (red bulls)
0.1 Black Pine Snake need '05 mate!
1.1 Southern Snow Pine (snow)(red phase snow)
1.1 Mexican Pine snake
1.2 Checkered garter snakes (albino pair & het female)
1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback (Hondo)
0.1 Spouse (WC)(hates the herps,and not real crazy about the dog)

Weekendherper Mar 17, 2006 11:33 AM

In the end I spent about $225 for the surgery and meds.
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1.0 Malagasy Giant Hognose
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.0 Black Milk
1.0 Black Pine
1.0 White Lipped Python
0.1 Dumeril Boa
0.1 Guyana Red Tail Boa
1.0 Yellowtail Cribo
0.0.1 Blacktail Cribo
0.0.1 Black Throat Monitor

joeysgreen Mar 18, 2006 05:08 AM

Wow, sounds like you have one hell of a vet. Nice touch with the personal attention ie, taking it home for two weeks

Ian

Nokturnel Tom Mar 18, 2006 12:07 PM

Way to go! I love to hear about the happy ending. I hope that snake stays healthy, he is lucky to be in your hands Tom Stevens

mattcbiker Mar 23, 2006 01:36 PM

Awesome story. and WOW over 7 feet, how old is he?
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Matt from Minnesota

Weekendherper Mar 23, 2006 08:13 PM

I wish I knew how old he was. I purchased him last year and was told he was part of a breeding pair, but that's all the info I got. He has only gained 150 grams or so since I've had him. I'd say he's as big as he's going to get as he's at the VERY top end of black pine's size (although I've seen references to 7ft black pines as only really 6 1/2ft but "stretched out"
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1.0 Malagasy Giant Hognose
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.0 Black Milk
1.0 Black Pine
1.0 White Lipped Python
0.1 Dumeril Boa
0.1 Guyana Red Tail Boa
1.0 Yellowtail Cribo
0.0.1 Blacktail Cribo
0.0.1 Black Throat Monitor

copperhead13 Mar 28, 2006 09:44 PM

Who was the vet?

Weekendherper Apr 05, 2006 01:24 PM

Dr. Joseph Pocher at the Natick Animal Clinic.
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1.0 Malagasy Giant Hognose
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.0 Black Milk
1.0 Black Pine
1.0 White Lipped Python
0.1 Dumeril Boa
0.1 Guyana Red Tail Boa
1.0 Yellowtail Cribo
0.0.1 Blacktail Cribo
0.0.1 Black Throat Monitor

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