How Do You Tell if the Female is Gravid?

[Jack Neary]

Guys and Gals (Fellow Garter Addicts)...
Just returned home from the vets with my 2 Female Garters. My main reason for going to the vet was to check on the suspected Respitory Infection of my one snakes, Samanatha.
My suspiscions were right... She does have a lower respitory infection. The good news is it was caught in the early stages and with the antibotics (that I need to inject with her every 3 days) she should be OK soon!
I also wanted to have the Vet confirm the sexes of both my Garters. Well, I am the proud owner of 2 Females. However, according to the Vet, neither are gravid The Vet checked over both snakes thoroughly to feel for babies and check for a themo plug(I know I butchered the proper name)neither one had this plug....
Both apparently are well fed and growing larger!
Jake (now renamed Jacqueline) is also not gravid, but had a bulge on her left side, which was the other reason I wanted to go to the vet.
According to the vet, he claims she must have had some kind of trauma when she was young; whereby a rib was broken or deformed...? Fortiantely, she'll be OK without the missing rib.
Although I'm disapointed either my females are not gravid (Could have fooled me..!!!) I'm glad to I trusted my gut regarding her "wheezing" when she breathes to take her in to the vet....
This was money well spent indeed!
Thanks for everyone's concern and well wishes!
Regards,
Jack

[crzy_kevo]

thats good new jack glad your snakes are going to be fine

[Garter_Gertie]

HOORAY! Now that's a dedicated, caring person. You made the correct decision and are caring for your snakes as you should.

[jitami]

Thanks for the update Jack. Glad you followed your instincts regarding Samantha. Sounds like she'll be in tip top shape in no time!

[Lori P]

Great update Jack, and I'm glad Samantha will be ok. Good call!!

[Sid]

Thanks for the update, Jack. Really glad everything is going to be OK.

[infernalis]

Great news Jack.. Treating the snakes can be interesting. Did the vet show you how to get the needle under the scales?

When sky was prescribed his antibiotics, it was an oral suspension, so I had to find a way to get this stuff down his throat every day.

injecting his food worked out well.

Oh and ditto what Gertie said.

[drache]

good news - I mean that you caught the RI in time and everything else is fine
and I bet you enjoyed meeting the vet

[Jack Neary]

Great news Jack.. Treating the snakes can be interesting. Did the vet show you how to get the needle under the scales?

When sky was prescribed his antibiotics, it was an oral suspension, so I had to find a way to get this stuff down his throat every day.

injecting his food worked out well.

Oh and ditto what Gertie said.

I gave Sam her first antibotics shot with the vet holding her. He said I did OK... Ouch!

Was still kind of hoping to be handing out bubble gum cigars soon though...

[zooplan]

much is said already, so:
good news are always welcome,
thanks for sharing