Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I picked up these suris friday from an owner wanting to get into breeding suris cheaply and bought imports without looking them over. He kept the one in best health and gave me an all or nothing choice on taking the remainder. I took them since he was planning on freezing the rest. Any suggestions on getting these animals back to being healthy? Already have a vet appt, giving them baths to help with the retained sheds. and not going to feed them till they look adequately hydrated and then it will be small meals. Now for the pictures.....

Of the ones I have, this one is probably in the best condition. Other than a rough spot on the back of the neck. Any ideas on what it is. My guess was a wound that is healing.

Close up of the rough spot.

The mean one, yes i know it's just scared. A few good things, I didn't see any signs of mites or RI in any of the animals.

This one will be a beauty, a shame it was treated so badly.

This one is just SAD. Looks like it was attacked or burned is several spots.

Again, any suggestions given are appreciated.

I couldn't end the set on such a depressing note. An Ilse de Maize. The picture is ~3 months old.

Thats too bad about those Suris, sounds like they ended up in good hands, You seem to be doing the best you can for them. Glad you ended your post with a beautiful healthy boa, Thats one fantastic Corn Island you have there? Where did he come from breeder wise? I hope to get a couple in the future. Some are Insanley Beautiful, while others are average, Yours is the style I like. Thanks for sharing the pic, would love to see more.
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www.executivereptiles.com

I got him from RioBravoReptiles. I'm still working on taking decent photos.

Yupper, that's a cute one. As for the rescues, I think you're on the right track. Just get em cleaned up and rehydrated, let the Vet check em over and go from there. Sad how ignorant people can be sometimes isn't it? I think they're in good hands.

Quig

Xerxes,
...The scars on the back of the neck of the first one are classic signs of tick bites. These are pretty common on imported snakes and they can heal up and look nice after enough shedding cycles. My guess is that the biggest health problem of all of these snakes is internal parasites and/or metabolic problems caused by the combination of parasites, dehydration and stress. The worst looking scars on that roughest looking snake may be caused by being attacked but could also be the result of some serious parasite problems. That snake may not be worth the time and effort that it takes to treat and rehabilitate it. All of the others can likely be rehabilitated if parasites are their primary health problem and they are treated for them. The lab work and treatment for these snakes will probably cost as much as you could have spent to buy healthy captive born snakes.
Good luck,
Jeff

>>I picked up these suris friday from an owner wanting to get into breeding suris cheaply and bought imports without looking them over. He kept the one in best health and gave me an all or nothing choice on taking the remainder. I took them since he was planning on freezing the rest. Any suggestions on getting these animals back to being healthy? Already have a vet appt, giving them baths to help with the retained sheds. and not going to feed them till they look adequately hydrated and then it will be small meals. Now for the pictures.....
>>
>>Of the ones I have, this one is probably in the best condition. Other than a rough spot on the back of the neck. Any ideas on what it is. My guess was a wound that is healing.
>>
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>>Close up of the rough spot.
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>>

Xerxes,
...I just saw that Isla De Maize Boa and that reminded me that the most important consdieration with imported boids is too keep them strictly quarantined for several months.
Again, Good luck,
Jeff

>>Xerxes,
>>...The scars on the back of the neck of the first one are classic signs of tick bites. These are pretty common on imported snakes and they can heal up and look nice after enough shedding cycles. My guess is that the biggest health problem of all of these snakes is internal parasites and/or metabolic problems caused by the combination of parasites, dehydration and stress. The worst looking scars on that roughest looking snake may be caused by being attacked but could also be the result of some serious parasite problems. That snake may not be worth the time and effort that it takes to treat and rehabilitate it. All of the others can likely be rehabilitated if parasites are their primary health problem and they are treated for them. The lab work and treatment for these snakes will probably cost as much as you could have spent to buy healthy captive born snakes.
>>Good luck,
>>Jeff
>>
>>>>I picked up these suris friday from an owner wanting to get into breeding suris cheaply and bought imports without looking them over. He kept the one in best health and gave me an all or nothing choice on taking the remainder. I took them since he was planning on freezing the rest. Any suggestions on getting these animals back to being healthy? Already have a vet appt, giving them baths to help with the retained sheds. and not going to feed them till they look adequately hydrated and then it will be small meals. Now for the pictures.....
>>>>
>>>>Of the ones I have, this one is probably in the best condition. Other than a rough spot on the back of the neck. Any ideas on what it is. My guess was a wound that is healing.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Close up of the rough spot.
>>>>
>>>>

Thanks for all the advice!! I already have them in a seperate room and I'm not planning on handling them on the same day as i would the rest of my collection. That might be hopeful thinking but NEVER handle them first, always last. You don't have to lecture me about the problems and extra costs of imported snakes, I'm just hoping to give these guys a chance.

Another tip...not sure if you already do this or not....but go get some latex (or nonlatex) disposable gloves. I don't know about anyone else, but when I deal with anything imported, I am always paranoid about contracting their parasites. I'm not sure if it's even possible but you never know. Also, this is a fantastic thread for anyone new to or thinking of dealing with imports...and Jeff's comments are certainly true...I don't think he intended to come off as if lecturing you. I received a small group of island boa imports last year and did all my own fecal floats for them. It's easy if you have access to a microscope and if you know what to look for (there are a few good books on reptile parasitology). If you can do it yourself, it may save on some vet costs. Some meds you can even get yourself to treat. However, most reptile antibiotics are restricted by the FDA so you would need a vet's prescription to get anything for bacterial infections. The one pic looked like rodent bites. Those can not only be nasty but also may cause the snake so much stress that they go off feed. A few of my imports got nipped in the nose while trying to constrict and completely refused food for months. In fact, two stopped eating for an entire year. They did not loose weight and did not have any signs of any health problems...it turned out it was prey items....if trouble feeding them..be sure to try quail and or chicks, both available through rodentpro. Imports can be VERY rewarding IF you have the time and patience AND MONEY to work with them (as it can be expensive with or without vet care). BEST of LUCK and do youself a favor, go to Sams Club and buy latex gloves in bulk.lol.

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Sincerely, Jason
www.NortheastSnakes.com
NortheastSnakes@aol.com

Jason,
Excellent information. Can you please embellish a bit on the group of island imports you got last year? Where are they from? Is the boa pictured in your post one of the imports? Any and all information/pictures is appreciated.
Thanks Jason,
Eric