"Rescue" Boa Update - Garcia

[PurraLovesJazz]

So I posted about... a week ago? about Garcia, the Hog Island boa that I'll be keeping for a while. He was my sister's but when she moved to Oregon she had to leave him with someone, who left him with someone else, yada yada... Anyway when we got him his cage was simply FILTHY... took us a couple hours to scrub everything clean, plus his heat and humidity werent where they should have been, AND he's skinny. So turns out he had a pretty bad RI from the conditions he was in.

Well I took him to the vet on Friday, and they gave him an injection and told me to up his humidity and heat, which I did, and give him some soaks, which I've been doing. I took him back in on Monday, and got 10 days worth of meds for him, so hopefully he'll be improving.

Question though, because they didnt tell me. Should I be feeding him while he's on the medicine or not? I havent yet, but he's pretty skinny so I would feel bad not feeding him if it was alright to do so. (I'm assuming there should be a layer of fat or something between skin and ribs... he doesnt have that layer)

 

[Elusive]

I would suggest calling your vet again and ask - it doesnt hurt to ask. Or... you can just wait around for the snake experts that might have been through this before.

 

[EddieA]

Good of you, Katie. You know we're gonna need getting well progression pics!

 

[PurraLovesJazz]

Garcia finished his medication, and his wheezing has lessened quite a bit already. He still kind of whistles, but he sounds a lot better. He also just had a very nice shed (with a little assistance) and took 3 or 4 layers of skin off the tip of his tail. I had been pretty sure it was a stub, but it looks good as new now! Plus he's all nice and shiny!

I'm pretty sure he's too skinny, I'm not used to feeling ribs when I pick up a snake, and its rather alarming. He's currently eating F/T medium rats, but how often should I feed him? Once every two weeks? Once a week? I'd really like to get some weight back on him, but I dont want to stress him out or make him regurge.

 

[Iguanagirl8662]

I don't have a boa at the moment but if he is really that skinny I would suggest feeding him every week for a little while to get his weight up a bit. Good luck with him, I'm glad to hear he is on his way to getting better.

 

[v_various]

so, can we have pictures?
: 3

I'm glad he found you, sounds like her previous owners were...well, this is a family site so you'll have to imagine the strong words I'd have for someone who neglects animals. Grrrr.

 

[PurraLovesJazz]

I don't have a boa at the moment but if he is really that skinny I would suggest feeding him every week for a little while to get his weight up a bit. Good luck with him, I'm glad to hear he is on his way to getting better.

thanks, think I'll stick with weekly

so, can we have pictures?
: 3

I'm glad he found you, sounds like her previous owners were...well, this is a family site so you'll have to imagine the strong words I'd have for someone who neglects animals. Grrrr.

thanks! and yes, I wasnt too happy with his previous.. "caretakers" >< I'll post some pics in a few minutes, I have to resize some.

 

[LBoz]

Katie!! I can't wait to see photos of your new baby!

 

[PurraLovesJazz]

So shiiiiiiny...

 

[Iguanagirl8662]

He is very pretty, I hope he gets all better real soon.

 

[whippet]

I hope he gets better soon, although I have to say I don't think he is a hog island but maybe a hybrid with another bci.

 

[PurraLovesJazz]

I hope he gets better soon, although I have to say I don't think he is a hog island but maybe a hybrid with another bci.

hmm maybe. i thought he looked a bit too speckly and dark to be a hog isle, but I'm not sure. I know he was sold as one at a show. He's only about 5 foot though, maybe a little under even.