Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I miscalculated her POS (badly) and today, right before it poured (in NY) she dropped. 17 in all (16 perfect 1 premie). Pair has done good 2 years in a row. Can't wait for next year.

QUESTION: Looking at the pic below, does the premie's chances look bad? What can I do in the mean time for it? It is in a container on a moist paper towel right now. Room is pretty warm (md 80's). Thanks for the help.

Thanks for looking!!!

- Shawn Barran

Congrats on the babies Shawn!!

That preemie does not look bad, it's moist - good. Can you put it in a place of warmer temps? Around 86/87 (gestational temps)

At some point (real soon now) you will need to excise the yolk lump if it does not absorb it.

To excise, pinch the umbilical near the yolk to squeeze the yolk and blood away from a small section. Look to see if blood reflows back in. If blood returns (or if you want to be extra safe) tie off the umbilical with dental floss or thread. Then use scissors to cut past the knot and remove the yolk. After a day or so, check by squeezing again to verify no open blood vessels near knot. Once no blood flows back, cut umbilical just below knot.
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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 (05/26/2009):
36.51 BRB
29.42 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Thanks for the help Dave! The info is greatly appreciated. I took a look at the premie this morning and the yolk ball was removed. I aguess he/she removed it sometime last night. He/she was hiding under the paper towel. While I was changing the paper towel, it snapped at me. I'm hoping this is a good sign that it will make it. The temps are perfect at 87 right now and very moist.

Thanks for the help again Dave!

- Shawn Barran

Yeah, quite often it will work out on it's own - yolk ball.

The 87 temps are to aid in "digestion" of the yolk, if the baby does not have a yolk belly, I'd lower the temps a few degrees. The 87 number is to simulate gestational conditions.
-----
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 (05/26/2009):
36.51 BRB
29.42 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

I will leave it at 87, the belly is still full of yolk. Why is it that premature and stills always look so beautiful? The premie has the best striping (although little) when compared to the others and a great overall pattern. Will she look like the rest as she grows out of prematureness? Thanks.

- Shawn Barran