Re-hydrating the Dehydrated [Archive]

guidofatherof5

01-06-2013, 10:45 AM

2 weeks ago I was in the laundry room when I spotted a young(1st year) radix on the floor. This snake was very skinny and dehydrated. Just another wild radix that made its way into the basement.
First and foremost was getting this snake hydrated. I placed her in a small round container with some water, making sure there wasn't too much water as she was weak. This was a precaution to avoid her drowning. It was late in the night so I gave her an overnight stay in the water.
By morning she looked much more full. That dried out look was gone. She was then place in a nice warm quarantine enclosure and given a daily soaking for the first week. She refused any food during this first week even though it was offered every day.
The second week was a different story on eating, she became very aggressive off the hemostats.
I wish I had taken a before photo because she has filled out rather nicely. Eating, drinking, moving, tongue flicking, curiosity and pooping all appear normal. I think she will make a full recovery. She's a lucky one.;)

I should also say that this isn't always the outcome for these snakes. I believe if caught too late organ shutdown occurs and even our best effort won't bring them back.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//821/medium/rehydrated.jpg

ProXimuS

01-06-2013, 11:39 AM

Nice job Steve:) Is it common to find snakes "out and about" this time of year up there?

guidofatherof5

01-06-2013, 11:57 AM

A few every Winter show up.

Selkielass

01-06-2013, 12:13 PM

Lucky she found the right spot to be found!

-MARWOLAETH-

01-06-2013, 01:02 PM

Nice one,Steve. I think you should name her Lucky 2.0 ;]

thamneil

01-06-2013, 03:33 PM

Great save! You plan on keeping this little one?

guidofatherof5

01-06-2013, 03:51 PM

Great save! You plan on keeping this little one?

She'll be here until Spring. Then I'll boot her out the back door.:D Maybe.

Greg'sGarters

01-06-2013, 06:02 PM

Steve, apparently you're the Wizard of Oz for radixes lol. They have to journey to your house to get what they most desire! Lol

guidofatherof5

01-06-2013, 10:05 PM

Steve, apparently you're the Wizard of Oz for radixes lol. They have to journey to your house to get what they most desire! Lol

Just glad I could help.

infernalis

01-07-2013, 03:33 AM

Lucky she found the right spot to be found!

Didn't you know that the local radix all have directions to Steve's house??

Selkielass

01-07-2013, 08:26 AM

Follow the golden scent trail,
Follow the golden scent trail,
If a snake is sad, or feeling bad
Just follow the golden scent trail

If ever, if ever a rad- man there was
Then Steve is the one
Because Because
Because, because, because, because, because!!!!
Because of the wonderful things he does!

So they're off to see the ranch-man,
That wonderful radix-man of ours!!!!

Selkielass

01-07-2013, 08:31 AM

Hmmmm...
Maybe that should have been
'Follow the radix scent trail.'
As it scans as well and has fewer icky associations. Well, it was anoffthr cuff filk.
Chime in everyone-add your own verses!

Invisible Snake

01-07-2013, 09:51 AM

I've heard of using Pedialyte or Gatorade with severely dehydrated snakes, anyone ever tried it? Good or bad idea?

guidofatherof5

01-07-2013, 04:25 PM

I've heard of using Pedialyte or Gatorade with severely dehydrated snakes, anyone ever tried it? Good or bad idea?

I've heard about it being used but never for a snake. I would trust Pedialyte more so then Gatorade. The artificial sweeteners in Gatorade worries me for humans as well as snakes.

ProXimuS

01-07-2013, 06:09 PM

Dehydration in Reptiles - Guidelines for Offering Fluids FAQ ( Reptile, Amphibian, Herp, snake, lizard, turtle, frog ) (http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com/hydrate.htm#fluids)

I found this site that says pedialyte is better than gatorade. If gatorade is used it needs to be diluted 1:1.

Greg'sGarters

01-07-2013, 06:22 PM

I've heard of using Pedialyte or Gatorade with severely dehydrated snakes, anyone ever tried it? Good or bad idea?

A friend of mine explained that Pedialyte can be used, however most breeders usually use gatorade for the following reasons: (This was for Bearded Dragons)

- It is cheaper than Pedialyte
- It is more commonly available than Pedialyte
- Because of the sweeteners and sugars in it, it gives the animals more energy, which makes them easier to sell.

I now just use the best solution of all for dehydrated snakes. Keep their water bowl full before they get dehydrated! :D

In Steve's case though, I would give the snake maybe 1.5cc of Pedialyte and overnight/5 hour soak. After that, I would keep them in a nebulization chamber for 15 minutes to kill any possible bacteria.

ConcinusMan

01-07-2013, 07:12 PM

I have something to say about this. Both pedialyte AND gatorade contain sodium and sugars. Both are formulated to rehydrate mammals and provide an influx of simple carbohydrates to the muscles. The important thing here is to realize that water/salt balance in reptiles is not achieved in the same way as it is in mammals. There are key differences in how a reptilian kidney works vs. a mammalian kidney. Differences that allow us to consume solutions contain sodium/sugar at levels that would be potentially fatal to a reptile. There's really not much difference between pedialyte and gatorade.

Pedialyte:

INGREDIENTS: , WATER, DEXTROSE, (SUGAR!) LESS THAN 2% OF: , POTASSIUM CITRATE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, SODIUM CITRATE, CITRIC ACID, AND , ZINC GLUCONATE.

Gatorade:

Pretty much the same except that the sugar is a sucrose-dextrose combination,(still just sugar) and there are artificial colors, flavors, and brominated vegetable oil.

Gatorade G2 contains sucralose, an artificial sweetener more commonly known by the brand name "Splenda" which reduces the calories of regular gatorade.

Whenever I encounter a severely dehydrated snake, I let it drink a bit, then make it stop. Wait a while, let it drink again, and so on. That seems to be all that is needed. Allowing the snake to drink too much at once usually just causes it to die right away or vomit up most of what it drinks.

snake man

01-07-2013, 07:31 PM

No gatorade for the snakes.

ConcinusMan

01-07-2013, 08:24 PM

Yeah... I think I'll go with that.

Greg'sGarters

01-07-2013, 08:27 PM

No gatorade for the snakes.

Yeah... I think I'll go with that.

I second that.

ConcinusMan

01-07-2013, 08:32 PM

No, you third that.:p

Greg'sGarters

01-07-2013, 08:42 PM

No gatorade for the snakes.

Yeah... I think I'll go with that.

I second that.

EDIT: I third that.

chris-uk

01-09-2013, 07:45 AM

Didn't you know that the local radix all have directions to Steve's house??

The Ranch shows up as a point of interest on Google Maps (and all good satnav systems).

On Gatorade, I've seen several posts on RFUK suggesting it for rehydration. I'm skeptical given the difference between mammalian and reptile metabolism and excretion. I'd try water first, maybe sugar water, but would be cautious about energy drinks.

ChareiHeals

01-09-2013, 11:49 AM

So. I don't suppose you'd like to give her a new home? :) I'm interested. Just sayin'.

guidofatherof5

01-09-2013, 11:54 AM

Let's talk this Spring or if you get down to the Omaha/Council Bluffs area you could pick her up. I'm sure we can work something out.;)

ChareiHeals

01-09-2013, 11:56 AM

Don't forget about me! lol

guidofatherof5

01-09-2013, 12:10 PM

I will keep you posted about her progress and I will sex her.
At this point I just assumed it was a female but will confirm it now. Does it matter?

ChareiHeals

01-09-2013, 12:42 PM

Nope.

guidofatherof5

01-12-2013, 02:58 PM

So. I don't suppose you'd like to give her a new home? :) I'm interested. Just sayin'.

It is a female. She's your when we can make it work.

Greg'sGarters

01-12-2013, 03:03 PM

The Ranch shows up as a point of interest on Google Maps (and all good satnav systems).

Really? What do I type in? Or was this meant as a joke?

guidofatherof5

01-12-2013, 03:05 PM

Really? What do I type in? Or was this meant as a joke?

:D He's just joking.

ConcinusMan

01-12-2013, 03:18 PM

The Ranch shows up as a point of interest on Google Maps (and all good satnav systems).

It should be, even though you were joking.

Greg'sGarters

01-12-2013, 03:54 PM

:D He's just joking.

Oh, ok.

It should be, even though you were joking.

That's why I thought it was real! Lol

chris-uk

01-12-2013, 06:03 PM

Really? What do I type in? Or was this meant as a joke?

When Wayne said that the local radix all had directions to find Steve, I I had visions of a garter programming their satnav with their tails. :)

ConcinusMan

01-12-2013, 06:47 PM

Don't be silly. They use google maps.

http://www.funnychill.com/files/funny-pictures/snake-using-computer.jpg

guidofatherof5

01-17-2013, 12:09 PM

The little wild female is in opaque phase (shedding phase). I think this is a good thing. She continues to pound down the food.
She has a great attitude and is looking forward to living in Minot ND some time in the future.

ChareiHeals

01-18-2013, 11:17 AM

I'm so excited! Can I see some new pictures?

ConcinusMan

01-18-2013, 02:06 PM

The Ranch shows up as a point of interest on Google Maps

Actually, you can try to add it and eventually it will show up on google maps / google earth. You can take pictures, with the location data, and submit to google. They add user-submitted photos of interest points to google earth at least.

guidofatherof5

01-18-2013, 02:36 PM

I'm so excited! Can I see some new pictures?

She hasn't shed yet. When she does I'll get a couple photos posted up.

ConcinusMan

01-18-2013, 04:29 PM

Don't be silly. They use google maps.

http://www.funnychill.com/files/funny-pictures/snake-using-computer.jpg

Apparently this is one of those sites that likes to hijack hotlinked images. Sorry 'bout that.

guidofatherof5

01-21-2013, 10:15 AM

I'm so excited! Can I see some new pictures?

Here you go. She's really looking good. Seems to have no ill effects from her ordeal.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//743/rehydrated1.jpg

ChareiHeals

01-22-2013, 08:09 AM

Oh my gosh! I love her face! She's so pretty! How big is she? She looks super small. Either that or you have large hands, lol.

guidofatherof5

01-22-2013, 09:39 AM

I don't have large hands and she isn't a baby. I'll get a length on her soon. She's still a little under weight. That will be a slower road back but I will get her there. I would say she's a year old.

ChareiHeals

01-22-2013, 10:37 AM

guidofatherof5

01-22-2013, 11:51 AM

Have you had any thoughts on a possible name for her? I can kinda see that she looks a little skinny right behind her head, unless thats just the way she is built. You're doing an amazing job getting her back to good health.

Thanks, she a strong snake. I think by Summer she should be back to normal.
If you have a name I would be honored to use it.

ChareiHeals

01-22-2013, 12:14 PM

I don't have one, because I don't know her personality.

guidofatherof5

01-22-2013, 12:14 PM

I would say it can wait then.;)

guidofatherof5

02-03-2013, 09:17 AM

She continues to eat and grow showing no ill signs of her recent situation. I'm surprised at how well she has responded.
The food that goes in is coming out without incident which is a good sign her system is working correctly.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//821/rehydrate3.jpg

ChareiHeals

02-16-2013, 11:03 AM

She looks good! :)

guidofatherof5

02-16-2013, 12:03 PM

She looks good! :)

She's a good snake.

ChareiHeals

02-16-2013, 02:10 PM

I really can't wait to meet her.

guidofatherof5

04-07-2013, 12:40 PM

Kelsey and her husband Matt stopped by the Ranch this morning and picked up this special girl. They also took a couple other beauties but I will let her tell you about them.
They left with 3 snakes and full bellies.;)

Selkielass

04-07-2013, 01:36 PM

Oh, excellent, I can't wait to hear the story!

guidofatherof5

09-21-2013, 08:42 AM

Well, its happened again.
I walked into the the laundry room, sitting on a damp towel was a dehydrated red radix scrub. It was apparently trying to get some moisture from the towel. I scooped her up and put her in a container with some water. 10 minutes later she was looking much better. I offered a very small earthworm but she refused. It will probably take a few days to get her eating. She is a smoking red girl with a green head and a red snout. I will post photos as soon as my kids find my card reader they lost.
I have no missing snakes so this is a wild visitor.

gibble888

09-21-2013, 09:15 AM

Must be nice when beautiful garters just throw themselves at you ;)

guidofatherof5

09-21-2013, 09:24 AM

It's a curse and I love it.

guidofatherof5

09-22-2013, 09:48 AM

Things are not looking good for this little scrub. Little to no tongue flicking or activity.

Mommy2many

09-22-2013, 06:04 PM

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully she will make a recovery.

Dan72

09-23-2013, 08:07 PM

Bummer, hope she still pulls through somehow.

guidofatherof5

09-23-2013, 10:48 PM

When I got up this morning I checked on her and found her dead. Such a beautiful little scrub.

gibble888

09-24-2013, 06:52 AM

Very sorry to hear that steve :(

Stefan-A

09-24-2013, 09:46 AM

Sorry to hear it.

infernalis

09-25-2013, 09:13 AM

You did your best Steve. Sorry it didn't work out.

ConcinusMan

09-25-2013, 12:45 PM

:( I've had that happen. Find a dehydrated escaped baby. Give them water, they look better, seems they're going to make it, then they die.

guidofatherof5

09-25-2013, 01:56 PM

:( I've had that happen. Find a dehydrated escaped baby. Give them water, they look better, seems they're going to make it, then they die.

I think there is organ damage from the dehydration that can't be recovered from.

ConcinusMan

09-25-2013, 02:01 PM

Reasonable hypothesis. Kidneys probably shut down making rehydration fatal. You tried. That's all you can do.

GarterNewb

03-08-2014, 05:34 PM

Sorry to hear, I just rescued a radix. I'm a little apprehensive about how to take care of it, but ther is lots of good info out there. Once I'm cleared as real by the mods I will post in the welcome lounge. A pedia/water bath seems to have perked it up a little. I'm going to retry a nightcrawler soon.