Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,
I am normally a boa guy, but today rescued a baby ball from a local pet store. She's it pretty bad shape. I would guess she has never eaten, she seems very dehydrated, she has a couple of mites. She's pretty lethargic, but still has some life in her. Her skin is hanging off her body (very wrinkly on her back half).

I brought her home and gave her a little soak. She seemed to be drinking quite a bit which was encouraging. I went ahead and force-fed a mouse pinky as I felt the situation was that urgent. I gave her a mist with the NIX spray for the mites, and now she's resting in a warm 85 degree and moist shoe box rubbermaid. She seems to be a little more responsive already.

I paid $10 for her as I knew she would die there otherwise. I don't have really high expectations, but I'd love to give her every chance.
What else can I do? What do you think her chances are?
Thanks for any advice!!!!!!!
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Chris
1.1 Columbian BCI
0.1 CA BCI

give her shelter proper heat and alot of water!!! dont bother her for a few days!! check nightly to see if the meal has stayed down. If it has you can try to give some food f/t or fresh killed.. if she wont eat on her own try and feed her on your own. rehab her the same way you would a boa! good luck.. do you have pics age or weight of her so we can give you some more advise.

>>give her shelter proper heat and alot of water!!! dont bother her for a few days!! check nightly to see if the meal has stayed down. If it has you can try to give some food f/t or fresh killed.. if she wont eat on her own try and feed her on your own. rehab her the same way you would a boa! good luck.. do you have pics age or weight of her so we can give you some more advise.

Good advice..and i have had good luck balling up newspaper to use as a "leaf litter" for them to crawl around in.Works well for those ultra shy nonfeeding hatchlings.They seem to feel a little safer with stuff to hide under/around etc..I give them a baby mouse that has just started moving around the first few times too.
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Charles Glaspie
http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c95/Coldthumb

Based on both of your recomendations, I think I'm on the right track. She has held down the pinky so far. I'm just going to do more of the same. In a few days, I'll offer food. Hopefully she'll have the energy to take it herself. She is seeming a little better already (though not much).
I will try to put up some pics tomorrow. I don't have a date of birth. Seems like a hatchling to me. I also don't have a gram scale (don't need it for boas).
Thanks again, and I'll keep you posted!
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Chris
0.1 Normal "Pastel" BCI
1.0 Albino BCI
0.1 Normal Het Albino BCI
1.0 25% Suri Het Albino BCI
2.1 Striped BCI
0.1 Normal BP

basic ball care would be warranted, with a hot spot in the low 90's and good hide spots, among other things. get a copy of the McCurley Ball book, at the very least, available here on the classifieds.

but what you did wasn't "rescuing" anything. you just made a purchase at a horrible store, helped them pay the bills and the rent, and gave them one more empty spot to fill with another poorly kept, mite infested, near death animal to sell to the next soft hearted soul.

support your local breeder, or high standard store. they deserve your money and support more than the death dealer does.

we have covered this issue in more detail at our site, in our FAQ, check out the link. best of luck.
The Trap of the Pet Store "Rescue"

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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

I have found that if you are convincing enough- they will just GIVE you the snake- to make you go away and stop critizising thier husbandry....

happens a lot...

good luck

~Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

While I agree that pet stores should not be compensated for keeping animals without properly taking care of them, the alternative was to leave the poor girl there and let her die. Do you suppose this would have been better? The reason I keep snakes is that I enjoy giving them what they need to survive and thrive. I make it my personal mission with any animal in my care to give it the best quality of life and am rewarded with great healthy pets. Seeing this animal, I could not pass up the chance to try and save it for $10. Call me a softie
Sorry if I misused the term "rescue". I wasn't trying to make myself out to be a hero. I just felt that I did "rescue" her from death (at least for now). The point of the post was to get help from this friendly community, not to start an ethical debate.
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Chris
0.1 Normal "Pastel" BCI
1.0 Albino BCI
0.1 Normal Het Albino BCI
1.0 25% Suri Het Albino BCI
2.1 Striped BCI
0.1 Normal BP

I agree that you rescued her, there is nothing wrong with what you did. You saved a life, it is great that someone could walk away on pricipal. I personally could not do that. Keep doing what you are doing , if she keeps the meal down after 5 days I would try live first get her eating steady then switch her over if you wish, If she doesnt eat then cont force feed. Best of luck with her. Post updates.

Huge thanks for the encouragement!

Maybe it would have been better in the big picture to leave her. However, I just couldn't do it.

Again, thanks.
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Chris
0.1 Normal "Pastel" BCI
1.0 Albino BCI
0.1 Normal Het Albino BCI
1.0 25% Suri Het Albino BCI
2.1 Striped BCI
0.1 Normal BP

It was for the love of the hobby NOT so you can clear out a hole is a crappy pet shop.. just do as myself and the other nice members have suggested and she should turn around. sometimes its just too late for the snake but if she is drinking and keep down that neal she might make it! post some befor and after pics... good luck.

Thanks for more encouragement!
I'll try to get around to posting pics as soon as I can take some! Unfortunately, work will not wait while I play with snakes today
Thanks again!
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Chris
0.1 Normal "Pastel" BCI
1.0 Albino BCI
0.1 Normal Het Albino BCI
1.0 25% Suri Het Albino BCI
2.1 Striped BCI
0.1 Normal BP

unfortunately, leaving the animal there is a better alternative. this world of reptiles is not all gold scales and passionately loved lizards.

that hole that you left is just going to be filled another dirt cheap, poor health, mite infested animal, one displayed to tug at the heart strings of the next customer. ka-ching!

so when you pull out one miserable animal, it place is taken by another. the pet store is able to go through 150 of those miserable animals a year using that sales tactic.

so what is really better? not giving them your business AT ALL (no reptiles, no bulbs, no feeders, no nothing), having them lose animals to cage death (and complete money loss leading to another closed "Store of Crap" or to keep this profitable cycle going?

it is a hard reality, and sucks to no end, but don't fall for the okey doke, this is a SALES TACTIC used at stores across the country, it is not a singular instance.

best of luck with your animal.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

Thanks for your opinion. On the business end of it, I understand.

Still, 100 times over, I cannot leave an animal to die. If I continually went in and saw animals in poor shape, I'd call animal control. The fact is, this store has been in business for more than 20 years. I have never seen another animal in this shape there.

Again, thanks for your input. You make a valid point. Each person has to do what is right in their own situation.
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Chris
0.1 Normal "Pastel" BCI
1.0 Albino BCI
0.1 Normal Het Albino BCI
1.0 25% Suri Het Albino BCI
2.1 Striped BCI
0.1 Normal BP