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Patience is a virtue...

Wow April, I'm so sorry :( Good luck getting that slug and those babies out of her, I'll be thinking of you and the momma!
 
Oh April, I'm really sorry to hear that things are as bad as they are. I thought for sure that she would just hold it a little longer and then have the rest of her babies. :( Keep us posted and I'm hoping great news for you and your girl!!
 
This ain't the news I was hoping for. I imagine you like it even less though. The empathy I feel can't be put into words. :(

Now then, I hate to say it, but I'll wager the gas build up is the decaying babies. Ain't no stopping those enzymes from doing what they do. I just hope you can get somewhere positive with this, without the septicemia part playing a role. Problem is, even with AB's, I fear it would only be a temporary thing. The meds aren't going to dissolve the neos inside her, so they'll still be there after the AB regimen is over with, if she doesn't manage parturition on her own. Make any sense?

Enema's...did your vet supply you with a tube, a catheter, or some way to get the fluids further into her? What was it you are supposed to use for the enema fluid wise?

Wish I was closer, I would definitely come and help you out with this. Seems these things always happen to the good people, and not the ones who deserve this sort of torment.

I wish you and Vegas the best. Keep your head up. :beer:
 
I had a feeling there were more babies in there :( I am SO sorry for this turn in events. Make sure you have a steady hand with you - I can't imagine what you are about to attempt to do will be comfortable to mama, and you shouldn't put yourself in danger... Best wishes, and like Rick, if I was close, you can darn well believe I'd be there with you, helping as best I could...

Any way the vet could just make a small incision in the vent? you know, like they do in female humans???
 
crotalusadamanteus said:
, so they'll still be there after the AB regimen is over with, if she doesn't manage parturition on her own. Make any sense?
Click to expand...

Yes, exactly, I agree. That's why if I can't get them to come out, she'll have to be put down as I can't afford the surgery right now.

crotalusadamanteus said:
Enema's...did your vet supply you with a tube, a catheter, or some way to get the fluids further into her? What was it you are supposed to use for the enema fluid wise?
Click to expand...

Yes, I have the tube, catheter and he wants me to try giving her 40cc of luke warm water. He doesn't believe the tube will go in very far due to the slug, but I'm going to attempt it tomorrow.

I'd appreciate any tips. I was thinking of putting all but the back end into a pillow case and holding her body in the case with one hand while attempting to do this with the other. I'm worried if I just held her head I'd be too busy trying to unwrap her to get things 'going'...

I gave her the first of the fortaz injections today and was able to work the slug up a little bit (she urated all over me to say thanks, heh) but it appears she's moved it back down herself, not sure, I'll go take a better look at her in a bit once she's calmed down again.

I'm keeping my head up, doing what I can (aside from the surgery) and hoping for some good news but I've pretty much already accepted the worst, it's just part of what happens when dealing with living creatures and I do believe we have to accept that risk when we get them to breed that complications happen.
 
kmrkvicka said:
Any way the vet could just make a small incision in the vent? you know, like they do in female humans???
Click to expand...

We didn't discuss that as an option but I have a feeling he'd say no. He's sending the xrays to a radiologist to review.
 
Take a pillow case, put some slits in the hem of the end that's open, and feed some string through. Now you have a draw string bag. Should help keep her head inside, allowing you to grasp the tail. That's where you'll need your grip.

Was it a heavy enough gauge of a tub to resist bending or kinking when inserted? If so, you may be able to work it past the slug, as inside there will be more flexibility in the walls then at her cloaca. Injecting a little bit of the fluid as you go in helps a bit when inserting too if you have problems getting it in very far. If there is something twisted inside, it may not show up on the X-Ray, but would, or could, prevent you from getting it in very far as well.

I don't know how you are keeping such a level head. I'd be freaking out, and putting myself in debt again. No wonder I don't have anything. LOL

Good luck!
 
Good for you for attempting this April, you're the best chance she's got, so keep that hand steady and go for it.

I don't know anything about this, so this may be a ridiculous suggestion, but I wonder whether if you cooled her, a bit she'd sit still for you better? I keep my snakes at natural temps (in the tropics) and when it drops to under 18oC at night (65oF) they are a lot less active and more docile. Not suggesting putting her in the fridge, just upping the A/C for an hour or so before you attempt the procedure.

I'm posting as link to this thread in the veterinary forum in case any vets drop by and comment.

Good luck and please keep us updated. I'll have a sympathetic G&T for you and hope it helps!
 
AbsoluteApril said:
Yes, exactly, I agree. That's why if I can't get them to come out, she'll have to be put down as I can't afford the surgery right now.
Click to expand...

Surely if it comes to surgery, this great community can pull together and offer some support. No one person may have much to give, but it all adds up! I'm in for a few bucks to the vet, and I'm sure many more can/will step up as well.

I hope this has a good outcome. Sending prayers.
 
Thanks again for the well wishes! Helen, I understand what you are saying about the temps. As soon as I get home from work today, I'm going to soak her for a couple hours and then give the enima a shot and hope for the best.

crotalusadamanteus said:
Was it a heavy enough gauge of a tub to resist bending or kinking when inserted? If so, you may be able to work it past the slug, as inside there will be more flexibility in the walls then at her cloaca.
Click to expand...

Yes, the gauge is pretty sturdy, I'm deff. going to try to see if I can get it past the slug as that should hopefully help things move around in there.

crotalusadamanteus said:
I don't know how you are keeping such a level head. I'd be freaking out, and putting myself in debt again.
Click to expand...

Honestly, trying to be unemotional and objective about this situation is the only thing that's helping me keep calm. Inside I am freaking out. I'm in a debt repayment program (just a little over a year to go and I'll be debt free!) so I'm not allowed to use any of my cards or open any new lines of credit or loans, believe me, I would have already done it if I could. I have another sick boa (unrelated to this situation) that I just spent over $500 on over the last 2 months and that wiped me out. The vet yesterday was my last $250 from savings. I'll still find out how much the surgery is if that's what it comes to and try to make it work. I do have a snake or two that I could sell but I'm keeping my collection closed until I know what's going on with that other sick boa. urghh. What it rains it pours.
*edit - sounds like I'm whining or asking for charity, sorry that wasn't my intent, just trying to explain the situation.

I'm trying to stay positive though! Got my fingers crossed for a good outcome tonight.
 
Could you possibly use a syringe and go threw the belly scale to suck some of the slug out and make it smaller?
 
Utta said:
Could you possibly use a syringe and go threw the belly scale to suck some of the slug out and make it smaller?
Click to expand...

Not sure, that was actually one of my ideas too but the vet wants the xrays reviewed to make 100% sure that's a slug we're seeing in there before he tries anything more drastic.
 
Utta said:
Could you possibly use a syringe and go threw the belly scale to suck some of the slug out and make it smaller?
Click to expand...

It would take a really big needle for one. Slugs are solid, not liquid, but they are a bit squishy when still wet, so a large enough needle might draw some up. Also would require ultrasound to make sure you are hitting the slug, plus the snake would have to be put under anesthesia for it.
 
crotalusadamanteus said:
It would take a really big needle for one. Slugs are solid, not liquid, but they are a bit squishy when still wet, so a large enough needle might draw some up. Also would require ultrasound to make sure you are hitting the slug, plus the snake would have to be put under anesthesia for it.
Click to expand...


I still think it would be cheaper then surgery. Wouldn't it?
 
Most likely yes. But anesthesia ain't usually cheap either. Some real knowledge involved with using them on reptiles.

I'm fortunate to know my vet well, and when I have a costly procedure that needs doing, he often lets me assist to keep the cost down. A temporary tech, I guess you could say. LOL
 
Helenthereef said:
I'm posting as link to this thread in the veterinary forum in case any vets drop by and comment.
Click to expand...

I did that:
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1030632&posted=1#post1030632

So far one response as below, maybe it will help a bit:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If the vet didn't suggest it you may want to use some sort of lubricant 'internally' when you are trying to manuever things. (not vaseline based stuff) but surgilube, and nonscented or gussied up sexual pleasure lubs (sorry but don't know what else to call em) and even something like olive oil or vegetable oil.

I'd try and get a small medication dropper or syringe to insert into the cloaca and instill the oils as well as the enema (is it a mineral oil enema?) It should help things move up or backwards a bit more and then eventually when she can pass the slug forward...

I wish the best for you and your boa....this has got to be tough!

Susan
 
Helenthereef said:
I did that:
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1030632&posted=1#post1030632
Click to expand...

Thanks for doing that! I took Susan's advice and will go over there to say thanks in a moment. Vegas had a nice 2 hr soak, she passed some urates and I just gave her the enema, she got 40cc luke warm water; also put 1 unit(cc) of olive oil right at the cloaca. Putting her in the pillow case worked great, she wasn't trying to bite, just nudging around trying to find a way to get me, so we both came out without a scratch. She's in a temp tub right now, I'm sure the enema will be coming back out, hopefully some of the other stuff too. Then she'll go back into her cage for the night and we'll go from there.
fingers crossed!
 
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