Yes, I ordered him a bigger house. Now its dimensions are 50 cm in length, 35 cm in width, 30 cm in height. Tomorrow we are going to the doctor, but today I took a fecal test (cryptocporidiosis, worms). The new home will arrive tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, but I won’t immediately transfer him to a new home after the doctor, what do you think? Let him stay in the old one for 2-3 days? Also in the photo is what his poop looks like, which I sent for testing. I also took a video today of him yawning after drinking water. His mouth is visible here. Regarding the expansion of his chest, this may be due to the fact that the surface under the blanket was uneven. Tomorrow I’ll shoot a video on a flat surface.
Regarding specialists, I contacted her before, she was recommended by breeders (I wrote about her and the treatment that was prescribed). But now she has left for another country, but helps her student online. I’m going to see this student tomorrow. There is another snake specialist, but he is also a specialist in other animals, oncology and much more. So, we can say that there remains a student, who is helped by an online herpetologist, and a doctor who deals with all animals at once, including snakes.
This is possibly the entire problem right here. That size is wholly unacceptable for a snake of his age/size/length. You said the temperature gradient was 24-32ºC but in an enclosure of those dimensions, there is no way for him to thermoregulate. He needs to be able to move his whole body from the “warm” side to the “cool” side. He’s being kept too hot for that volume of enclosure.
The minimum size for a snake like him is 120cm x 60cm x 60cm, ideally you’d have something larger. If you can’t find one pre-made, you may have to build your own.
There needs to be a whole overhaul of his living space. Larger, one hide on the hot side big enough for his entire body to fit in, same on the cool side. Add substrate and perhaps some branches for climbing and fake plants for cover. Use the larger water dish, for sure, not the tiny one. Snakes don’t have feelings, there is no “he likes”, he absolutely needs access to these things even if it seems he doesn’t use them.
Thanks for the advice, friends. This is what I will be doing in the near future. But until I buy a big house, should I move it to 75x57x50 cm, or leave it in the old one? And should he be given time to stay in his old home after the doctor?
I bought him very small mice, they are called velvet mice. I want to give him one this time a few days after moving to a new home, and next time 2 velvet mice (I mean mice with light short fur, not adults, 4-5 cm long, 1.5 cm wide)
Depending on what the vet says, I would possibly give him a week or two without food and then start him up again. Just give him a chance to rest and acclimate to the new space.
Do you have access to long plastic storage tubs where you are? Like Christmas tree storage tubs or something like them? He needs to be in an enclosure that is much longer than it is wide.
If you look at the provided photos and recent updates, the snake is already in a bin, and there wasn’t one of sufficient size available. The OP is not in the US, either. They don’t even really make tubs large enough for a male like that here, at least none I’d be comfortable putting a snake in long term. This boy likely needs something custom built.
Now I’m thinking about connecting his old and new house into one passage 20 cm in diameter. So that the floor level is level. Thus the length will be approximately 120 cm.
So, we were at the doctor’s appointment. Examination of the oral cavity showed a dilated vessel on the right side of the mouth. Then they did an ultrasound and the doctor said that there was some fluid in the intestines. I assumed it was inflammation. They prescribed injections and have already given one. Meloxivet 2.5% 0.03 ml for 2 days. So tomorrow we will also go for an injection. Body weight 610 g. Length 140 cm. Breathing is clear, there is nothing in the lungs. A tick was also found in the stool analysis; the doctor suggested that it was in the mouse that my snake ate.
Glad to hear the breathing is clear, it’s possible that the behavior you were seeing was due to discomfort. I’d give him two weeks without feeding to allow his gut some time to heal, especially since anti-inflammatories were given.
You can try connecting the enclosures, though I’d make sure that it’s secure and wouldn’t necessarily use that as a permanent option as there still needs to be vertical space as well. If they’re both plastic it will be difficult to make sure that the connection is sturdy enough that he can’t get out, snakes are very strong for their size.
Hopefully with the new medications and larger enclosure, he’ll return to being a happy, healthy boy soon!
Thank you very much to everyone who responded and helped! I am so grateful to you, friends. I hope your tips will help baby snake become healthy again. You are wonderful🤍
I’m glad that you were able to have your snake seen, @moonlily. I am also glad that you are getting him into a larger enclosure. This is absolutely crucial to him becoming truly healthy. I completely agree with @noodlehaus, I believe that much of the unusual behavior you’ve been seeing is due to the size and temperature of his previous housing. Even the odd head and neck movements could be caused by excessively high temperature. He’s bound to become healthier once he’s better able to move around and to thermoregulate effectively. Do please move him into the new home right away. The increased space is truly a physical need.
I would give him a week or two without feeding. After a meal, and after digesting, it would be good to have regular handling sessions if you aren’t currently doing that. It’s good exercise, promotes trust, and provides mentally stimulation.
Do you know the weight of the velvet mice you mention?
We’re glad that you are trying to improve your snake’s health and his environment. These are good things.
We would also love to see his bigger enclosure once you set it up! He will be so much happier and healthier once in the bigger enclosure. I would also wait 2 weeks just to allow for his gut to heal.
