Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Since in the next month I'll be out of town a couple of times, but my female suri still hasn't given birth yet, I'm considering taking her to the vet to see if she is indeed gravid or not. Since she is 138 days POS, I would hope that any young would be visible by X-ray or sonogram/ultrasound. My question is, which would be better? Would an Xray be less traumatic and more clear? Or would a sonogram be easier? I am REALLY reluctant to try and move Foo for an exam, I don't want to endanger her or any possible babies.

I do have an exotic vet that I normally take my reptiles to. However, I've never taken a large (and gravid!) snake in, and am unsure of the willingness of the vet techs to "participate". That, and the fact that I haven't handled this snake much since I adopted her with her mate (right at the start of breeding season), makes me a little nervous, along with the knowledge that handling during pregnancy is risky.

However, I don't have anyone I'd trust to care for a litter should one 'pop out' of her while I am gone (I can get someone to water them, but that's about it), and am fearful that I'll return from vacation to a cageful of squashed or dried out babies, or babies that might eat each other. Her due date was so far ahead of my travel plans, that I didn't think it would be an issue.

One trip, I'll just be gone for a long weekend, but the other, later one, I'll be gone a whole week.

Any advice? Given the situation, would a vet visit be justified? If she were to give birth during the long weekend trip, would the babies be ok for a couple of days?

I think if she hadn't given birth by then, I'd take her in to the vet before the long trip.

Thanks, all!
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Lauren Madar - OphidiaGems.com | CageMakers
1.0 BP, 1.0 Hog Is., 1.1 Hypo BCI, 1.1 Surinam BCC, 0.1 GTP

Sonogram!!!!

Well, I'm a total n00b, but I believe some of the books I've read advise against using X-rays on a gravid female, because the radiation can lead to birth defects. A sonogram may be helpful, but I don't know anything about that.

In terms of what to do about your snake while you're gone - do you have a veterinary school near you? Failing that, how about an agricultural college or vocational program that trains vet techs? I've had good experience in the past hiring cash-strapped vet students to look after my animals. True, you might not be able to get someone who specializes in reptiles, but you run a much better chance of finding someone who's willing to do a lot more than just change the water.
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0.1 Boa constrictor imperator
0.3 Ball pythons
1.1 Crested Geckos

Well, I'm going to ask my vet and see what options they might have, and might be able to get some local herp society members to help, but want to make sure I know if she is gravid beforehand. Firstly, she's large, and so the chances of someone else being able to house her at their place isn't good, and secondly, I have concerns inviting people I don't know into my own home especially when I'm not there.

At least I know that sonograms are better! Thanks!
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Lauren Madar - OphidiaGems.com | CageMakers
1.0 BP, 1.0 Hog Is., 1.1 Hypo BCI, 1.1 Surinam BCC, 0.1 GTP

Hey Lauren,

I had watched your threads and I hate to say it but I didn't think your Suri was gravid in the first place. From what you described and shown here it just didn't look like she was gravid to me. By no means am I an expert but I have had slug litters, premie litters and what I thought was a gravid Boa the whole time turn out not to be.

Maybe you can re-summarize in another post for a few more experienced breeders to chime in here before wasting time and money on a snake you should be getting ready for next year!!

I mean this post in the nicest possible way and it really sucks thinking you are going to have a pile of babies and only be let down.......I really hope I am wrong in your case though!

Brett

Good point.

I had my doubts that she had taken (and I've posted a lot asking whether people thought she was gravid or not). Sometimes, she looked gravid to me, and at other points not (sometimes within the same week) - but I've never actually seen a gravid boa in person. Some people said "she looks too big to not be gravid" when I was doubtful, but advice so far has been to continue to "wait and see", which I don't want to do if not necessary.

My feeling aren't hurt at all by asking! I just want to know if she is or not, so I'll know how much attention she'll need, and if she's not, to start feeding her normally again! The previous owner said he'd tried to breed them the previous year with courting behavior but no litter.

History - she was with her mate from December on and off until early February. Courting was witnessed, but not copulation. She did swell, and shed somewhere between February 27 and March 2nd. She shed regularly (a month to 6 weeks) before the post-ovulation shed. The boas were not cooled.

She did not lose her appetite, and I fed small meals (one small rat) once every two weeks from March until mid-May, when I stopped feeding. I fed a small meal last week, since I've been getting more doubtful.

She shed again on July 4th (a huge gap for her).

Photos -

October (when I obtained her and her mate):

May:

June 22nd:

June 27th:

I'll take another photo today.
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Lauren Madar - OphidiaGems.com | CageMakers
1.0 BP, 1.0 Hog Is., 1.1 Hypo BCI, 1.1 Surinam BCC, 0.1 GTP

I'll start a new thread to be more clear
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Lauren Madar - OphidiaGems.com | CageMakers
1.0 BP, 1.0 Hog Is., 1.1 Hypo BCI, 1.1 Surinam BCC, 0.1 GTP

about 0.00$

She looks good and healthy, not skinny at all. Not necessary to throw a lot of food her way to prepare her for breeding. So, if it were me, I'd continue to offer small meals and simply wait it out. As for vacation, go, maybe you'll come back to find babies, maybe not. Either way she/they should be fine.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
24.36 BRB
19.19 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

If you're intrested I have a video of an ultra sound on my site (http://www.cloacaherps.com/ultrasoundvideo.htm)

Ive had it done a few times, and its easy to see, and not too stressful on the snake.
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- Mike Fourquet

Cloaca Herpetoculture
www.CloacaHerps.com

Thats pretty darn cool, thanks Mike.
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Voices in the darkness... scream away my mental health. Can I.. ask a question.. to help save me from myself? Enemies fill up the pages, are they me?... Monday till Sunday in stages, set me free!!! " Diary of a Madman " Ozzy Osbournewww.bahreptiles.bravehost.com

That's awesome, Mike! Thanks for posting that link.
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Lauren Madar - OphidiaGems.com | CageMakers
1.0 BP, 1.0 Hog Is., 1.1 Hypo BCI, 1.1 Surinam BCC, 0.1 GTP