Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey All,
So, on August 14th, I purchased Claire via UPS. I was hoping to get a big female that would be ready to breed this season after proper quaranteen time. I noticed upon reciept that she was a bit plump in the mid-section. I thought she'd just been well cared for, and went on with life.
Over the next couple of weeks, life was busy, and we moved to a new house. I noticed a slight weezing sound along with some forced exhales. It seemed like the beginnings of an RI. I raised her temps, and paid closer attention to her humidity. Claire had also gotten a bit bigger in that middle section. About 2 weeks ago, I really started to get concerned because she has gotten even bigger, and her ability to move the swollen section is limited. Even though her RI seemed better, I decided to take her to the vet.
Living in Southern Oregon, my vet options are limited. I only found one that sees reptiles. She confirmed the slight RI, but felt that she was on the mend and didn't need antibiotics as she had no mucus and was not open-mouth breathing. She thought gravidity was a good possibility, but could only offer x-rays to confirm, and at the early stages, fetal skeletons may not even show up.
So, what do you all think? Is she gravid, or is she sick?
I have no history on her, and she came from an online pet store type place, not a breeder. She has eaten a couple of times with me, and passed stool twice. Her cage temps are 82-88 with a hot spot of 90-92. She is also temping at about 88 with the temp gun. I have not fed her for 2 weeks prior to these pictures.
Here are a couple of pics:



Thanks for looking!
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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

By looking at her.... I'd say GRAVID!! ;p That's my opinion...
I usually tell folks that you never know till they drop, since sometimes you can't tell on a thick boa. Not to mention, you never know if you'll slug out or get a premature litter, but we all hope for a nice healthy litter.... so GOOD LUCK! I hope I'm right and you get a nice healthy batch outta her! I hope that RI clears up...
By the way, where in Southern Oregon do you live, I grew up in Grants Pass/Medford area and now live in Central Oregon, in Redmond... just curious!
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Steph S.
Boas...
1.1 Albino boas (Loki & Hope)
1.4 07 Het. albino boas (Petty & Lady,Sierra,Madeline,Lola)
0.1 Reverse stripe poss. het albino (Cookie)
0.1 Salmon/hypo (Scarlet)
0.1 Anery poss. het snow (Missy)
1.0 Anery (Reno)
1.0 Probable Super Salmontine(Kahn)
0.1 DH Sunglow (Bonnie)
1.1.1 Hypo het anery
1.0.1 Het. Anery (Guy & ?)
0.3 Normals (Ophelia, Sasha, & Lulu)
1.0 Surinames (Solomon & Surreal(deceased)
1.3 Hog Isles (Mr.Orange & Peaches, Tang, Isis)
0.0.1 Central American (Sassy)
1.0 ATB (Satan... seriously!)
Pythons...
2.1 GTPs (B., Monty & Jewel)
0.0.3 BPs (MJ, Precious, Houdini)
1.2 Carpet Pythons (Jackson, Charlotte, & Cassandra)
0.1 Blood python (Akaia)
Misc.
1.1 Mandarin Ratsnakes (Jack & Jill)
1.0 Boxer/Pitt Mutt (Tyson)

I'm in Ashland. We just don't have the resources around here of a big city.

Thanks for your reply. My gut has been telling me the same thing. Now I'm freaking out about the less than optimal conditions with shipping and moving and the rest. I guess it's a good sign that she seems to be getting bigger. Really looks the same as the female I bred last season.

The RI seems to be better. I had her out for cleaning today, and she was breathing great with no funny sounds.

Thanks again!
Chris
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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

She's a great looking boa.

I say she looks GRAVID.

I would stop feeding her as she seems she is starting to enter the latter stages of pregnancy.

If she startes getting skinny in the front end of her body,and

her rear remains the same than you know she would probably give

birth within 2-3 weeks.

Keep us posted and good luck.
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Ashley Lopez's Black Forest Constrictors.

blackforestconstrictors@gmail.com

WWW.BLACKFORESTCONSTRICTORS.COM

Thanks, I agree. No more rats for a while! I guess my big male may be lonely this winter Hopefully the babies will be okay after all the stress on mom.

Thanks again for the reply. I'll keep ya 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