Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got some bad news today; my 05 JCP female from Doug Price passed yesterday. She was a fantastic eater (unfortunately mice) and was turning out to be quite a beauty (crayon yellow) until I ran out of frozen and put in a pre-killed that wasn’t quite dead. All it did was nip the bottom jaw and that started the down ward spiral:
1.5year ago She first got an infection (treated her with antibiotic shots) got better, wouldn’t eat

2months later The infection came back (more meds) got better, wouldn’t eat

6months later Tube fed her she ate a chick two week later (she didn’t look thin yet)

2months later After a couple of chicks she started on mice again

2months latter Got mites (my stupid fault, got it from a new snake; my quarantine cage on the other side of the house wasn’t far enough away) but I got rid of them!

4months latter Started to slow down eating in the fall. I left for Germany for business, and my brother took over care of my collection. He said she was getting thin (pyramiding). Another trip to the vet, tests were run and nothing seemed wrong. She continued to get worse. She was shedding at least once a month, way too much. She was eating and being soaked once a week, temps were good and humidity was fine. The Vet has a great reputation with reptiles in the SF bay area.

4months latter I took the phone call she passed. Unfortunate my brother didn’t send the body to the vet to find out what went wrong. I trust my brother’s care and I’m sure he did everything he could. I’m worried about the rest of my collection that was in the same room. When I’m back on the 1st, time to go to the vet.

It just really sucks when one of your favorites dies, hasn’t happened in a long time. I need to look for a replacement female of the same quality and start over.

I WILL ONLY USE FT RODENTS FROM NOW ON!

Some old pics when she was young and in a display tank instead of my more professional enclosure (no fake plans wooden perches to get dirty. She got a whole lot more bright yellow with age.

wow thats a double loss both the loss of the snake and such a beautifull one at that and let me tell you the way your talking sounds like this was a pet just as much as a breeder and when there as much of a pet you can never replace the original you can get a new one but it wont replace it when my reptilicus naomi girl died after only a few months of having her and to much in vet bills it took me roughly 3 years now to get my new girl i finaly got from AAR

I know how you feel Ive lost some champion animals in my day. But , the reality is some animals look great, but lack what it takes to survive. A mouse bite? That shouldnt kill a snake. Condolences

Thanks guys! I’m not a big breeder or a huge collector, I only have 9 now. I have to say this snake was more of a pet so it sucks. I kind of thought since I have a few projects going I wouldn’t be so attached. Also when you have a certain project planned for one of your collection and something happens, it kind of messes up some of the other purchases you might have made to make that come true. I guess some snakes just seem to be bullet proof and some parish when the wind blows the wrong way.
Now that she’s gone maybe I’ll spend some big bucks and get a top of the line JCP female. Be picky and wait for something from one of the top breeders (not a knock on Doug Price but I didn’t get the best in the hatch either, after the hold backs and another breeder taking his few picks…). I have learned the amount you pay for the snake is nothing compared to everything else. You’re going to have it for a very long time so buy the best.

She was a beauty! That sucks!

Shack,
Sorry to hear- that was a NICE looking snake!!!

//Todd