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plastic powder that corn inhaled?

SittonJ Apr 08, 2004 10:51 AM

I just moved my corn into a nice new cage with new cage furniture. I washed everything before putting it in the cage - BUT I didn't notice that the new water bowl (which looks like a rock with a tree branch) actually has a spacious cave underneath. I discovered this because I thought my corn had escaped but then I found him under there all wrapped up and happy in his snug hiding spot. I decided not to disturb him and let him get used to his new cage.

But after 1 week, I went to feed him and when I pulled him out of the water bowl...I noticed all this white powdery stuff!!!!! It appears to have come from the plastic or at least was there when I bought the bowl - I just didn't notice it. Does anyone know if my corn inhaled this powder for a long period of time if it could harm his lungs?? I tried to listen to his breathing and I noticed a faint "pop" noise every once in awhile. He had just stuck his face in his water bowl and took a big drink before I listened. So do you guys think this could be noise from the water or from his lungs??? Should I be worried?

Replies (4)

IcedGoddess Apr 08, 2004 11:54 AM

well I'll assume you took the dish out and washed it all off right? It could be "poping" because it's getting ready for a shed, and maybe the powder was only on him because he rubbed against it. I guess I would wait a bit before getting too worried, just clean the bowl off good and maybe bathe the snake, just a swim through his water dish may get all the powder. Sometimes they put a powdery something on plastic things so they can stack them without them sticking together, so it's probably not "plastic dust" per-se, but I'm thinking since it's on an animal water dish, it's probably non-toxic...we hope. If your snake either goes blue or sheds soon, you may find the sound has dissapeared.
-----
Dianne
AKA IcedGoddess
1.2 Cornsnakes
1.3 Cats
1.0 Pionus parrot
0.1 Child
IcedGoddess Creations
Castle Serpents

SittonJ Apr 08, 2004 02:16 PM

Yes I did wash the bowl and the snake off as soon as I saw. The popping noise seemed to be coming with his breath though and not anything to do with his skin... It was very faint and he had just been to the vet within the past couple of weeks with a clear bill of health. So my only thought is if it is respiratory then it had to come from the powder. Hopefully his lungs will recover if that is what it was.
Thanks

IcedGoddess Apr 08, 2004 02:20 PM

Sometimes when a snake is preparing for a shed, they will sound as if there's something in the nostril, but it's just the skin. I've heard this described as a "popping sound" before, and many have mistook it for lung sounds, so I thought it was possible this was the case with your snake as well. Lets hope it's either that or something as harmless!
-----
Dianne
AKA IcedGoddess
1.2 Cornsnakes
1.3 Cats
1.0 Pionus parrot
0.1 Child
IcedGoddess Creations
Castle Serpents

SittonJ Apr 08, 2004 02:24 PM

Thank you very much Iced Goddess! I hope you're right

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