Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 9yr old grey band. He just came out of hibernation and looks in bad shape. He is very thin, and looks like he is ready to shed, but must be too week to do so. The skin is on him, but is obviously ready to come off. I tried feeding him fuzzies tonight, but he was not interested at all!

PLEASE GIVE ADVICE! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO HELP HIM!
THANKS!
eklemen

I would soak him in room temp. water. That will not only loosen the skin so he can shed, but will hydrate him in the process.

Thanks for your reply. I soaked my snake in room-temperature water for 5 minutes or so. He moved around a bit before relaxing, and then appeared to drink some water.

I tried feeding him a fuzzy again, but he was not interested. He's not even flicking out his tounge like normal. The whole time I handled him and had him soaking in the water - he must have flicked his tounge only 3 times.

I'm feeding him thawed out fuzzies, should I try a live pinky/fuzzy?

I have his Cobra heat pad off still.. should I turn that on?

I'm worried about him. I'd appreciate any help!!
Thanks!
Eric

I would soak him for 30 minutes or more, and don't worry about feeding him for now. Put him back on the heat but only on one end of the enclosure so he can get on it if he wants and off of it when he is warm enough. Wait until he sheds, then try to feed him his favorite meal.

Saddleman,

Thanks again for your reply! I will soak him for 30 mins and let you know what happens. He looks so thin that I'm just worried for him. Hopefully he'll come around.

Do you think starting out small with a pinky/fuzzy will help? And how about live vs. frozen?

Thanks!!!
Eric

Yes starting small, especially live is a good idea, but don't rush it. I am sure to you he looks bad but he won't eat until he is ready. First the shedding and dehydration problem and then the feeding problem.

I soaked him for 30 minutes, should I try to remove the skin myself? It loosened it while he soaked, but it still hasn't come off much.

I also turned on his heat pad. I'm going to try feeding him tonight. Wish me luck!

eklemen

Yes, you can remove the skin by hand. Do you have a rock or limb in his cage to aid his shedding? He probably will not eat until this shedding problem is fixed.

Well... my snake died.

He was active when I soaked him in the bathtub. He still wouldn't go for his food. He was moving around in his cage a bit, would move back and forth from the warm side to the cool side... there was a wet spot from where I'm guessing he urinated... but I noticed he didn't move since last night. I went to check him out and he was lifeless. I touched him for a while trying to get a responce, but there wasn't anything.

I don't know what happened. Like I said, he was skinnier than other winters he has come out of hibernation... and this was the first year I recall his skin being this way right out of hibernation. He was 6 yrs old when I got him. I had him for 4 years.

So... that's the end of it. Farewell "Orco"! :~^(

Sorry for your loss, sounds like you did your best, sometimes with animals it just doesn't work out.
Regards Rick