Hello people,
I've been in and out of the forum (keeping an eye on you) for a while now as I've sorted out what I'm doing with me (been very self centred lately). Not the least of which, after over 27 years with the same employer I've "relocated", a good thing I feel!
At the same time and throughout this I've been desperately working with my nerodia. Specifically, I had a full blood work and tissue sample culture analysis done on two snakes (both pictiventris males with eye infections). Cutting to the chase, I'm not pleased with the procedure, process or outcome! In fact, I'm not sure what the next step will be.
Trying to keep this short (shorter) the vet bills, tests (lab work) costs and medication are adding up significantly, in particular this last bout. More painful by far is the lack of positive results. Briefly and first the vet noted that one snake (the first to develop infection) had an eye cap retained (of course my reaction was suprise and shame) and before I could respond, she removed the brille. Not realizing that I had been EXTREMELY attentive to this possibility and had counted every eye cap at sheds and that the eye cap was grossly swollen at the time of "diagnosis" within a few days it was clear that she had removed the (only) brille and the snake has since lost his eye. Further to this, the lab results where not decisive and the month long injections of antibiotics I'd been directed to give have had no effect, positive or otherwise.
The vet is hailed as the best and most experienced with regard to herps in BC and is responsible for the local zoo animals. It may well be that these procedures were the last, best hope to save the snake's eyes or lives, I don't know ... but my heart aches for them! And the potential for future on-going infection of these and transmission to the others still remains.
Notwithstanding the above, I am undaunted! I've been an inspector for almost 3 decades, I've aquired a top of the line microscope and I'm endeavoring to develop an education for it's use. I will identify the little bugs that are worrying my snakes and I will kill them! I feel so much better now that I got that off my chest.
On a happier note, all the other waters are doing pretty good. The little greens continue to be a point of concern with their wild caught scars and scabs but still eat, grow and mostly hide. The rest are remarkabley healthy. A special note regarding the mangroves, these are (as read in the post below) the sweetest most charming, all-terrain snakes I've ever had!
Merry Christmas everyone,
Michael
