Possible spinal problem

[chris-uk]

Can you get this liquid supplement in the U.S. Chris?

You may be able to get something similar in the US, this is the stuff I use in the snakes' water:
http://www.vetark.co.uk/Shop/Reptile...d-calcium.aspx
I emailed the manufacturer (they're based in the UK) and got this reply:

Sorry we do not supply to the USA any more the FDA make it too difficult .

I suppose if any of you really wanted it I could get some and post it.

[EasternGirl]

I think I'll be good...because I have the calcimize and Greg is shipping me some reptasol...so with the two, I think they should get all the vitamins they need. I was just hoping that there was a liquid calcium supplement with D3 available here that I hadn't come across. I don't know why they don't have more liquid supplements available here. I am going to try mixing the powder in with the food again and see if I can get them to eat the food with it on there...it would be so much easier. Cee Cee will probably do it, because she will eat anything. I might be able to get Hermes to do it too. Seeley is the tough one...he barely eats as it is. The last time I tried the powder, he slithered over to his food...sniffed at it, and then literally stuck his nose up at it and turned away! Thanks for the offer, though Chris!

[gregmonsta]

I suppose if any of you really wanted it I could get some and post it.

Best not ... it'll be seized and destroyed. My attempt to post reptasol ended at the local post office

[EasternGirl]

If you could see me right now...I am making very angry faces at the post office...and mumbling obsenities that I cannot type on here...grumble...grumble....

[chris-uk]

I thought I'd conclude this thread. Unfortunately I found Bethan twitching and struggling to breath today, and decided that it was time.

Her movement has been getting worse and over the last few weeks I've been unable to make any real progress removing yet another retained shed. I started a thread about her shedding problems (http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/gene...disorders.html) and I am convinced that she has a defect (maybe genetic, maybe a metabolic problem) which prevented her producing the enzymes to free the old skin from the new skin. There's nothing I can do to investigate or prove this theory.

As for her spinal problem, I couldn't bury her without checking. It looks like that was the way her spine grew, it was a wavy line rather than straight. There weren't kinks as such, in that there wasn't a specific point that had a sharp bend, it looked more like it was just a steady wave. There was no sign of any soft tissue abnormalities, and there was no sign of any inflammation around the vertebral joints (eliminating my theory about it being an autoimmune problem, like arthritis).
Her ribs were different lengths, that could have been caused or effect of the bendy spine (I lean towards it being an effect of having a spine that curved up in places). The ribs had grown to give her a flat belly so the ones attached to the vertebrae on the "bumps" were noticeably longer.

So it's been another sad snake day here. One that we knew was going to come, but a sad day all the same.

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry to hear this news. Thank you for giving Bethan a chance.

[EasternGirl]

I'm so sorry to hear this Chris. I know you tried your very best for her...you went above and beyond, did all that you could and then some. You gave her love and she knew that she was cared for and that is so important...that is what truly matters. She is lucky to have had you for the time that she had. We will remember her fondly. As Steve said, thank you for giving her a chance to live. Rest in peace special one.

[GarterGuy17]

Well now this has me scared , so I only feed worms and fish fillets but I never got around to the calcium. I just took my fingers and went down both sides of jades body the top is fine but under there is like a little ball not noticeable at all and she moves fine , very fast actually. Should I get the vitamins as soon as possible to avoid any problems ?

[ConcinusMan]

It takes quite a while of feeding a calcium deficient diet to do any harm and the problem is mainly seen in young rapidly growing snakes. Just a little note on the supplements... if your snake eats whole pinkies, even if just occasionally, then he's probably getting enough D3 and calcium. Pinkies have plenty. If you do use a supplement containing D3, go very sparingly on it. They don't need much and overdose isn't good.

[katach]

So very sorry for your loss Chris.