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Something is wrong with Naga

B

broken_20_2

New member
This was my original post, but it was taken over :)

http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26243

There has been a new development. Let's start from the beginning. My snake is in a 10 gallon, newspaper substrate (soon to be aspen again, had a mite problem), 50 watt (red bulb) overhead lamp. The reason I use overhead's is because everytime I had tried to use an UTH, the temp gets to around 95 in both viv's (two snakes, seperate viv's, so lay off now). Anyway, as the other post states, I was concerned about Naga because he had gone blue around a week ago and still hasn't shed. The humidity was only around 20% in the viv last time I checked. Well, I went home to feed the snakes last night, Gia ate 2 pinkies just fine. I put a SMALL pink in Naga's cage, just to see if he was hungry. It took him over 20 minutes to get it down, so I decided not to give him another. This was the point that I started to worry. I'd never seen him eat that way... he was circling around the pink, head swaying , and he was extremely jumpy. I didn't pay to much attention though.

I went back to check on him later that night. I know it's not good to handle them right after they eat, but I was concerned, so I dug him out of the newpaper. I was shocked at what I saw. There was an inch portion of his neck, right below the head, that was caved in and wrinkled up. He was obviously dehydrated (even though the water bowl is always full). I picked him up and he just layed in my hand, swaying his head back and forth, almost like he didn't have full control of his body. He would jump his head back, turn upside down and stay like that until I corrected his position. I put him in his water bowl, and he just layed there, thrashing around. (PLEASE, do not come down on me for this much handling right after a meal. I know the dangers of regurg, but I was scared). He finally made his way out of the water bowl, and staggered around the viv. he made his way to his hide and started rubbing his head all over it, so I was hoping that the hydration was going to prompt him to shed. No such luck. I can tell he wants out of his skin, but it's just not happening. I got some paper towels, soaked them down and rung them out, and blopped them right down on him. Did this about 3 times before I could stay awake any longer (about 2 am, and I have to get up at 5 am for work). This morning, his neck looks normal again, but he still hasn't shed. I'm worried sick though. What else can I do?
 
The 20% humidity is too low. You could put a larger water source in the tank and partially cover the lid with foil. This will raise the humidity and the heat as well. I'd put the water on the side where the light is.
 
:awcrap: Must be an awful experience waiting for this.... I would indeed put the waterbowl under the lamp and cover the viv partially, and also place a shut plastic box (with a hole in the lid) with wet aspen in his viv so he can hide in it. Maybe you'd better even lock him up in it for like a couple of ours and then have him slither through a wet washing cloth in your hand, holding him quite firm so he has to wriggle to get out.... Or simply soak him for liek 10 minutes in cold to luke water and then do the washing cloth thing... Good luck!
 
Hmmmm....that is strange. I'm real sorry to hear your snake seems to be having problems.

The first thing I would do is increase the humidity. I keep the humidity in my corns viv's up around 60% during shedding time. I do that by misting when neccesary, but being that I'm in michigan its pretty humid around here anyway (most of the year it seems).

One other thing you may try is tossing the snake in a humidity box for a few hours. I had one problem shedder that I had to do this for a while back. I just put her in a shoe-box sized rubbermaid with a wet hand-towel for a few hours (with the lid on, obviously). She snuggled into the wet towel for a bit and then began shedding, although on the other occasion she began shedding after I put her back into the viv. I wouldn't leave it in there for more than 2 hours, in any case.

One other thing I might mention is that wet aspen tends to get moldy rather quickly and you might try another alternative such as sphagnum moss. Best of luck. I hope everything turns out alright for you. :)
 
I was wondering if the aspen would mold. I did put him in a bowl with a wet wash cloth, but only for about 20 minutes. I'm always afraid they are going to get to cold. I'm still a little anal about temp. He looks 100% better today. The old skin on his head is almost gone, but he just won't shed. I have been misting down the viv every 3 hours or so, and I have the humidity up to 50% now. I'll see how he's doing when I get home. Thanks for all of your suggetions and help!
 
Glad to hear things are going somewhat better. When my little creamiscle had a partial shed i put her in a 6qt. sterilte container with wet paper towels and less than an hour later she was finished. I hope everything works out. John
 
I hope your snake does better. I'd be concerned about his turning upside down and not righting himself. That speaks of neurological problems to me. I take it he isn't doing that now?
 
Actually, everything is fine now. I've been fighting to get him shed for 4 days now, and yesterday it finally happened, with my help. I had him in a damp washcloth in my hand, and noticed the there was a lot of loose shin along his side. I just started gently rubbing the skink back until there was about a quarter of an inch detached. Then I gently gripped both sides of his body, and he just wriggled out of his skin. A few hours later I got him to eat. Now he is resting comfortable, looking BEAUTIFUL, and digesting his meal. He really, REALLY had my scared for a bit... Thanks for all your help and concern.
 
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