HELP!! i'm not sure what to do...?! [Archive]

cornsnakeluver

02-13-2009, 01:38 PM

Ok, i have a beautiful Female lavender aztec corn, hopefully a breeder when she gets older...But yesterday I went in her cage to check on her and assuming she just went to the restroom,(hem-hem*) her inside whatever you want to call it was out (the pink thing that they use to go to the restroom), which is normal, so i picked her up but it din't go back in, so i soaked her in water for about 5 min. and put her back in her cage, then i went to sleep.
today i woke up and it is still out, so I rally don't know what to do...?
has anyone ever had this happen before?
i really don't have the money to take her to the vet, so later i am going to take to are local reptile store owner to see if he knows.. :( i'm kinda lost here and i really don't know what to do!
Please no rude comments I not stupid but i am a fist time corn owner!

more info:
she lives in a forty gallon tank,
I use pine shavings,
and she has a under tank heater

mike17l

02-13-2009, 01:50 PM

That is called a prolapse. I would immediately put her on a paper towel substrate. I would also advice applying a generous amount of lubricant (KY jelly or something similar) to the exposed area.

cornsnakeluver

02-13-2009, 02:10 PM

MinLynn

02-13-2009, 02:14 PM

I have no clue if this has anything to do with anything but you really shouldn't be using Pine shavings as substrate either. That's a big no-no!

JNugent

02-13-2009, 02:21 PM

I have no clue if this has anything to do with anything but you really shouldn't be using Pine shavings as substrate either. That's a big no-no!

Indeed. Hopefully you meant aspen or cypress as pine can be toxic. I use a combination of aspen and carefresh in my tubs. Anyhow, on to the original issue, I would follow what Mike said and probably seek out a vet to take a look at her and judge the severity of the situation.

mike17l

02-13-2009, 02:28 PM

I have no clue if this has anything to do with anything but you really shouldn't be using Pine shavings as substrate either. That's a big no-no!

Actually, there is nothing wrong with using pine as a substrate. The problem with pine, is when it gets in the water bowl. When in the water, the toxins and resins in the pine are leached out into the water. Herein lies the problem. The toxins and resins cause problems when they are drank. So, typically (not in the OPs situation) pine can be used without a problem, as long as water bowls are checked every few days.

mike17l

02-13-2009, 02:29 PM

*Big Update*
I just went in her cage to change her to paper towls and i found a regurated mouse, well I fed her four days ago, and then it stunk so i went in her cage to see if she did, but didn't find anything but i just did in the corner of her cage.. :(
But she's not lethargic or anything, very active accutaly

Put her in a sterile cage (paper towels), make sure she has a heat source, and then leave her the heck alone for a couple days, only disrupting her to apply a little KY.

MinLynn

02-13-2009, 02:37 PM

Actually, there is nothing wrong with using pine as a substrate. The problem with pine, is when it gets in the water bowl. When in the water, the toxins and resins in the pine are leached out into the water. Herein lies the problem. The toxins and resins cause problems when they are drank. So, typically (not in the OPs situation) pine can be used without a problem, as long as water bowls are checked every few days.

Okay, well what if the pine did get into the water and the snake drank it? Could the toxins have caused a regurge? Just curious, really. I had always been told not to use pine or cedar substrate as they were toxic to the snakes. I didn't know pine was only toxic in water. And it could be a possibility that the pine was in the water bowl. I know when I check my snakes water dishes everyday, there is almost always some aspen in it.

mike17l

02-13-2009, 02:40 PM

Okay, well what if the pine did get into the water and the snake drank it? Could the toxins have caused a regurge? Just curious, really. I had always been told not to use pine or cedar substrate as they were toxic to the snakes. I didn't know pine was only toxic in water. And it could be a possibility that the pine was in the water bowl. I know when I check my snakes water dishes everyday, there is almost always some aspen in it.

Exactly, if you check it often and clean it often there are no problems with pine. Many breeders use it exclusively. But, if you do not check but once a week or once every 10 days, it can lead to problems (usually going to be long term problems, not something short term, like a sudden regurg). Cedar on the other hand is pretty much bad to use for almost everything.

MinLynn

02-13-2009, 02:44 PM

Ah! Okay, then. I'll still stick with my aspen as I'm a worrywart and it would just add to my list of things to panic over! Good info to know,though.

Maize411

02-13-2009, 02:45 PM

I would definitely say first and foremost get her off the pine shavings..(pine bedding is bad for reptiles). Put her on paper towels and let her rest a few days..make sure she has clean water..put the jelly or liquid on the area and keep an eye on it. Let her rest with no handling for at least a week and see how she does..If there is no change you might want to consider a vet..

cornsnakeluver

02-13-2009, 02:53 PM

Ok I clean her water every four days, and i acctualy had a reptile specialest reccomend I use them... I'm taking her to a vet at 4:30, thanks to mike17l, telling me it was prolapse, i really didn't know what to call it so know that i know i did some research, called a few people and sue enough it is prolapse, Bella (the corns name) has always had prolapse, but it would only come out for her to go to the restroom, so i thoght it was normal and i got told it was normal, so she is getting surgery today, to bad i was really hoping to breed her with a freinds corn :( she is m y only and first snake and i'm sure my parents won't let me get another! :(

MinLynn

02-13-2009, 02:56 PM

Well, I'm sorry to hear she has to have surgery! And you'd be surprised at how understanding parents can be, really. You never know.

cornsnakeluver

02-13-2009, 02:59 PM

yah, the sugery is going to cost anywhere from 100-250 so I really just hope she's okay...
but maybe in a few years another corn snake will appear mysteriously.. lol i'm kidding

MinLynn

02-13-2009, 03:04 PM

Put it this way. When we rescued our 3 we intended for them to be pets for the kids since my husband and I really had no like for snakes. I mean we were willing to help out with them and all(all of our kids are under10) but we figured that was it. That was December and it is now February and we have 6 corns and a BP. And they're all MINE! Kidding! They're all of ours but my husband and I are the ones obsessed with the little critters.

cornsnakeluver

02-13-2009, 03:13 PM

Haha, i'm under 15 now and it took a good 5 years to convince my parents into reptiles, first a gecko now a corn snake, and finally the okay to breed with a freind, but now i cant breed that's okay, i'm mean i'm still in love with my little bella girl, but it still would sure be nice to breed...

cornsnakeluver

02-13-2009, 04:28 PM

hello you there

MinLynn

02-13-2009, 05:25 PM

Well since they were okay with you breeding, I really don't see the problem with getting a new snake. Obviously this one is not going to be a breeder. But your next one could be and they were okay with that. Were you planning on keeping the hatchlings or was your friend? Cause if they were okay with you keeping a whole bunch of hatchlings then they should be okay with you getting another snake.

cornsnakeluver

02-13-2009, 06:42 PM

no, I was ONLY allowed to have them at freinds house, my dad made that really clear! haha, he doesn't want a whole bunch of snakes, he thinks i will want to keep them :D he's probaly right!

MinLynn

02-13-2009, 06:53 PM

Well, then I really don't think another corn would be a big issue. But that's just my opinion as a parent. Especially beings that you're obviously at an age that taking care of them yourself is not an issue at all. And heck they're a lot easier than taking care of a puppy or kitty IMHO(and I own a whole bunch of those, too!).

cornsnakeluver

02-14-2009, 01:22 AM

I just got home from the vet, (we have an awesome vet!!) and the "put it back in" and then stapled it shut... i'm keeping her lubracated with neosporn, and we also noticed her eyes were dry so he said to keep the lubracated too... he's not sure if it will work but were going in on monday to get them removed and hopefully it stays back in too... if not theres more serious surgery that can be done and still the option of stapleing it shut again untill it says in... the price was WAY less then lady in the front desk said it could cost, only $40 even, that was a huge relief to my parents... its funny though that my mom was so worried about her, about four years ago she wouldn't even walk into the reptile store!!! now she understands why i love them so much.. :D and for being only twelve i think i do a pretty good job taking care of my babbies...

MinLynn

02-14-2009, 01:26 AM

Oh, honey, for being 12 I think you're doing an awesome job! I'm glad it didn't cost as much as you thought, Now here's to hoping she doesn't need any other kind of surgery. I think you have plenty of time to turn your parents on to your reptiles. I know if one of my kids were taking such awesome care of their pets at such a young age, then I'd have no problem allowing them to get more. Especially, when you are talking about contained animals.