Crusty Vent

[ConcinusMan]

I had that happen to my male parietalis a few years ago. Thought it was a bad shed at first, but the vent kept getting crusty no matter how hard I tried to keep it clean. Anyway, long story short, it seems that it was a sign of dehydration caused by kidney failure and was ultimately fatal.

Keep an eye on that female Shannon. She was in that condition upon emergence from brumation. The crust as cleared and she appears in good health though.

[guidofatherof5]

Keep an eye on that female Shannon. She was in that condition upon emergence from brumation. The crust as cleared and she appears in good health though.

I don't understand? Shannon didn't post to this thread.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I don't understand? Shannon didn't post to this thread.

Yea I was a little confused as well... her vent looks great to me!

[ConcinusMan]

I was referring to the female I sent to her. Her vent was in that condition when she came out of brumation. She was dehydrated then. Took several days to clear her up. Just saying I don't really know what caused it so keep an eye out for vent issues. Could have just been a dehydration issue since she was just waking up. Those photos do have one major difference. There's obvious signs of infection and/or injury to the area, unlike the snake I had.

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/show...oaca+impaction

[guidofatherof5]

She's looking much better after a couple of TLC days.
A big difference in lighting/photos. The first was inside and the second was natural sunlight.

[ConcinusMan]

Looking good. Definitely significant improvement! Thank you Dr. Steve.

[guidofatherof5]

After giving her a breakfast of pinkies, I decided to put her back with her group. Her vent was looking very good and I will still monitor it daily for another week.
I expect a full recovery.

[guidofatherof5]

Well, I'm still fighting the battle of the crusty vent. Things were looking good for awhile but then went back to bad(crusty) She's back upstairs and will get a prolonged period on paper towels and a prolonged treatment time. I don't think I was patient enough and may have jumped the gun on putting her back with her friends before.
And now for something completely different.
This morning I got her out to change her bedding and apply some ointment. I made a joke about taker her outside to do her duty since she hadn't defecated on her paper towels. I walked out front and set her in the grass. Within 30 seconds she dumped a load of Poo in the grass. Good snake, good snake.
Maybe setting her in the green grass was akin to them getting into their water dish and using it as a toilet or maybe I have the worlds first potty trained garter snake.

[ConcinusMan]

Knowing you and your radixes Steve, I'd say it was the latter.

[Hollis_Steed]

Sit Boo Boo, Sit! Good boy!