Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone have suggestions on where I could find some fake turf grass carpeting for my snake's tank? I have him in aspen right now and I've noticed lately that he's started wheezing, so I want to get him out of it in case there's dust or something irritating his respiratory tract. I've looked all over and can't find anyone who carries it anymore. I bought something similar at a pet shop, since I couldn't find the carpeting anywhere, but it was so expensive, I only bought one and I want at least two. Plus, I'm getting a hatching in another month and would like to use it for his tank as well, and I'd rather not spend $40 on this pet store stuff. Can anyone tell me where they've found it? For reference, I live in Corvallis, Oregon, so if you're nearby and have suggestions, that would be especially helpful.

Also, my plan was to put Sam (my snake) on the carpeting and wait a few days to see if his wheezing improves but while writing this, I started thinking from the reader's point of view and if I were the reader, I'd be thinking "take you're snake to the vet, he has one lung and it's got a problem." Do you guys think I should take him in immediately, or is waiting for any improvement okay? The wheezing is loud enough to hear at about a foot away.

Thanks in advance! Kimberly

Home Depot or another home base type store
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****Misty****

http://www.sneakyserpents.com/

"Yesterday was the deadline for all complaints"

Not counting Hatchlings, this is what I have.........

1.1.2 bearded dragons
9.18.0 corn snakes
1.1.0 jungle corns
1.2.6 California King
1.0.0 Mexican Black king
0.1.0 Blotched (variable) king
0.1.0 Lavender Brooksi king
1.0.0 Sinaloan milk snake
0.1.0 Tri-Hybrid milk snake
0.1.0 rat snake
1.1.0 Arizona mountain king
1.1.0 Congo African Grey Parrots
0.1.0 German Shepherd (hybrid) dog

Thanks, that's a good idea. There aren't any big home base stores like that in Corvallis, though. I'll keep it in mind and if there aren't any other options I'll find some way to get to the next town over, which might have one (I have no car, being a poor college student, so I rely on the kindness of friends to transport me long distances and prefer not to bother them for rides if at all possible).

Anyone have thoughts about how seriously to take the wheezing?

you can try to increase the temp a couple degrees along with the astro turf to see if it clears up on its own. watch out for open mouth breathing. when/if he gets to that point then its for sure vet time. its just hard to say. you are the one who hears it. if it were me i would give him a few more days and if no improvement then i would take to vet. just MY thoughts. i'm no expert. i do have 7 snakes though.

Did the snake recently shed or is getting ready to shed?
I had got a snake from a friend and it was wheezing. I was thinking I had got a sick snake, but it was due to shed. I let it shed and it was fine. I have heard skin can be loose around or in the nose and cause wheezing
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****Misty****

http://www.sneakyserpents.com/

"Yesterday was the deadline for all complaints"

Not counting Hatchlings, this is what I have.........

1.1.2 bearded dragons
9.18.0 corn snakes
1.1.0 jungle corns
1.2.6 California King
1.0.0 Mexican Black king
0.1.0 Blotched (variable) king
0.1.0 Lavender Brooksi king
1.0.0 Sinaloan milk snake
0.1.0 Tri-Hybrid milk snake
0.1.0 rat snake
1.1.0 Arizona mountain king
1.1.0 Congo African Grey Parrots
0.1.0 German Shepherd (hybrid) dog

He is getting ready to shed, actually. I'll have to wait until he does and see if it goes away. I'll also try increasing the temperature if shedding doesn't take care of it. Thanks for all of the tips!

for a while and see if that clears up the wheezing. Also is he getting ready to shed? Sometimes a piece of shed skin will cover the nose and cause wheezing sounds. If it doesn't improve, I would get him to a vet.
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phflame
kingsnake.com host

Stay away from turf grass carpeting. The platic blades of grass act like a shredder when the snake crawls over it. You want felt carpeting sold in pet stores. Yes you need two so you can have one in the cage while the soiled one is washed and left to dry.

I've seen this stuff casue belly infections from bacteria.

If you want to use it, have a few, and you really nee to clean/disinfect it.

It's a nice item, but it does have draw backs.

This is all really good to know. I'll be sure to use the pet store stuff and to clean it really well.

I work at a pet shop, although we won't carry the carpet. I have no idea if the shops stuff is good. There are so many items that a herp company will make just to make money. Hotrocks, walnut shells, even calci sand is not great.

Also thru a shop it is very expensive. Someone mentioned the type to get. I'd go check out lowes home depot and buy some. And save a lot of money.

Just check your snake a lot to see if there are any issues.

yeah....i for one....i know i'm gonna get yelled at...but i was one of the people years and years ago to use walnut shells....and i still use it... just not as much as i used too.... i never had any problems with it....yeah, its a lil dusty towards the bottom of the bag, but if you wash it off....its kinda like kitty litter...and you scoop the poop hehehe. but maybe i've never had problems b/c i dont feed in the cages. but once again....i know i'm gonna catch heck from saying this. but everyone is hunky dorey at my place.... i know i shouldnt love the stuff, but i do....its easier than paper...

~kin
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SNAKIES~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Corns:
.1 Normal (Gertrude)
1. unknown hypo? normal? (Romeo)
1.2 Miami Phase (Hector, Emily, Charlotte) thanks jeff!
1. Amel het Blizzard (Dunesbury)
1. Classic het Hypo, poss het Amel, Anery (Cobra)
1.1 Classics (Henry VIII, Cassy [Emilys babies])
.1 Amel (Pepperoni)
1.1 Hypo zig zags poss het Caramel (Bernard, Abegail)
.1 Classic het Hypo, Stripe (Gracie Lou) {Reduced black}
1.1 Anery het Motley (Lleroy, Persia)

Rats:
1.1 Black rats (Willard, Cecily)

Cal Kings:
1.1 Striped Cal Kings (Dweezil, Skunky)

Other:
0.0.1 Worm Snake

~~~~~~~~~~~~~LEOPARD GECKOS~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Normal het Midnight Blizzard (Mr. Spot)
0.1 Blizzard (Blitz) SHE WAS FOUND ALIVE!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~TURTLES~~~~~~~~~~~~
.1 white cheeked mud (Opel)
.1 snapping turtle (no name)