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An update

terryd Mar 10, 2011 05:16 PM

A few months ago some of you might remember I posted a Gray-banded Kingsnake that had a weird concaving to the upper 6 to 8 inches of his venter.
I got a number of suggestions w/ out anyone but Shannon Brown having seen something like this before. Shannon didn't know what it was in his snake, but that it lived quite a long time w/ the condition.

Let me start by saying that the alterna never did suffer from desiccation, and after seeing my veterinarian, and doing a fecal test which came out negative for parasites, he was as stumped as everyone else.
With suggestions from Joecop, and Cole, we both concluded that it was possible that the Gray-band had scratched it's trachea, either w/ wood chip substrate or a mouse bone or tooth.
I moved the Gray-band to a slightly warmer tub then the tub it was previously in, and fed him once a week of one or two mice. It seemed to improve after each feeding w/ the concave going away after each feeding for a couple of hours or longer, only to show the condition the next day.
We went on like this for many weeks. Slowly over time the concaving improved by getting shorter, and shorter. The concaving has completely gone away, and I've moved the snake back to it's bigger and original tub.

Here are a few photos of the aliment, and an updated present day photo or two.
The old photos from a few months ago.

Present day photos.


Looking good don't ya think? Thanks to everyone for their suggestions,. -Dell
Image

Replies (13)

terryd Mar 10, 2011 05:29 PM

Let me add to the above post. When I first posted this snakes troubles I clearly stated that the Gray-band was not desiccated, but a number of posters that must not have read the whole post, or just didn't care, still pointed out that the Gray-band looks dehydrated, so I'm going to say it again so people understand.

THIS GRAY-BAND DID NOT SUFFER FROM BEING DEHYDRATED.

Please continue with the regular scheduled posting.

-Dell

Image

joecop Mar 10, 2011 06:03 PM

That is so awesome Dell!!! I am glad all turned out well and the story had a happy ending. Beautiful snake!!!

Joe

a153fish Mar 11, 2011 04:03 AM

Dell I'm glad that awesome looking Alterna is doing better. It would have been a shame to loose such a smokin specimen!
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

PHFaust Mar 16, 2011 10:38 AM

Interesting and I have wondered how it turned out. As I said, I have seen this condition on ball pythons with dehydration, never another cause. Did you all manage to get any x-rays or anything along those lines at the vet? The inner vet wanna be geek in me wants to know
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
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mrkent Mar 10, 2011 08:01 PM

Great pics and thanks for the update. What I want to know is how you got it to lay on its back in that third to last pic. Did you tickle its tummy? (works with some lizards and frogs)
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Kent

1.1 Hypo (het lavender, striped) cornsnakes, 2010
1.2 Gray-banded kingsnakes, blairs phase, 2008
1.1 Oregon rubber boas, WC, 20??

mbrawley Mar 11, 2011 12:02 AM

AWESOME news man! Really glad to hear your snake pulled out of its funk! Great job.

Micah

mbrawley Mar 11, 2011 12:29 AM

BTW - I couldn't help but notice he looked a little dehydrated back then. Hmmmm, imagine that, maybe that's all it was the whole time.

Just kidding!!!!! Hahahaha!!! :D

terryd Mar 11, 2011 01:20 AM

I new that was coming sooner or later. Congratulations.... 1st the worst...

-Dell

pyromaniac Mar 11, 2011 09:30 AM

Thanks for the update on this most interesting case! If he had a scratched trachea maybe he did get a wee bit dehydrated due to being unable to swallow anything, even water, for awhile. LOL! Glad he has recovered!
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Bob
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire
Keeping cats allows man to cohabitate with tigers. Keeping reptiles allows man to cohabitate with dinosaurs.

denbar Mar 11, 2011 01:10 PM

Great! Glad things worked out with a little patience and time. I'm sure it was a little stressful too.

--Dennis

Jlassiter Mar 11, 2011 05:53 PM

Terry,
Congratulations!
That is the BEST recovery story I have heard of or seen.......
Great Job getting that cool looking snake back to good health.....

Talk about a green thumb!
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

KcTrader Mar 11, 2011 06:29 PM

Dell, That is Great! I am sure the two of you are feeling a little relief...Wish we would have known the cause, but the ending is definately a happy one!
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Jimmy Tintle

DISCERN Mar 11, 2011 10:19 PM

That is awesome to hear! I am so happy to find this out! Thank you so much for letting us know his current and improved condition!
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Genesis 1:1

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