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Post by pheonixx on Aug 17, 2005 19:08:38 GMT
 I realy do fear that we are going to loose our 4 big lads..they were doing realy well their shells were perfect and they were eating well...then over the last 2 weeks they are looking dreadfully ill..not eating..their shells have lost that sheen they had..and their little bodys seem to be changing colours and they look skinny and there is nothing more I can do for them I am throwing away food every day..and the only time they come out of their shells is when I spray them but each day I fear brings them closer to death and I am gutted as I love them to bits...I cant understand it nothing in the envoirenment has changed and I have not added anything new?...any help would be appreciated...Linda
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Post by lotsofsnails on Aug 17, 2005 20:07:11 GMT
u cud try hand-feeding them mushy foods like mashed banana, wet oats, and cooked mashed carrot/sweet potato. The snails are very weak so they can't eat. I hope they make it  mike |
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Paul
Teenage Snail
Posts: 118
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Post by Paul on Aug 18, 2005 4:45:09 GMT
Linda, as you know my 2 fulica died and me and Daz were suspecting there may be a genetic reason; only my fulica were affected and they are siblings. However, I think only 2 or 3 of yours were siblings of mine. At least 1 came from a different breeder. Not that it couldn't still be genetic but I'd like to know more. Exactly what has been happening, what have you tried, are any worse than the others? Any respites or remissions? Unfortunately, there's not much you can do with a snail who refuses to eat. I rubbed some food on their mouths to try and "force" feed them, figuring some may be ingested. I know you're doing all you can. It is heart-breaking to see them slowly deteriorate. I would have done a post-mortem, but I don't know what the internals of a healthy snail looks like and I could never kill one to find out. You're doing your best, and I can't think of a better person to care for them when they are unwell. You have to take strength from that. |
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Post by pheonixx on Aug 18, 2005 9:35:42 GMT
Thanks for the reasurence Paul...I have tried to tempt them with every type of food /fruit available..Daz says they have been ill for around a month..we had a realy hot spell {remember Paul} well the snails were doing realy well...looking healthy eating everything we gave them...then we had a cold rainy spell and thats when we saw a change in them{eating/remaining in their shells} and at 1st we put it down to the change in temps..so we put the heat mat on for a couple of days...this seemed to make them even more lethargic and at this point I noticed that when I gave them a bath they remained closed up...I have noticed they are producing some extra thick/sticky slime...and when I bath them sometimes it just hangs down in ribbands off them if you get it on your hands its a bugger to get off..and when I bath them or spray them its the only time we see any activity but its not much and they soon go back into their shells...its awful to see them like this..I am used to seeing them scooting round the tank happy...oohh yes the big lad Columbus has some deep scratches on his back...I have no idea where these came from as he had a perfect shell...I dont know what else to add realy I am looking at them now last night we put them on top of fresh food cucumber/organic romane hearts/and kale and they are still in the same position this morning nothing has been touched and they are deep into their shells all 4 of them..but at times 2 are more active then the other 2..the worst are the 2 big ones Columbus and Glancer...Linda
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Post by anjieburdett on Aug 18, 2005 16:37:47 GMT
OMG Linda, I'm sorry to hear that. These little creatures are heartbreakers when they stop eating!! Soo frustrating when we love them so much. Some of my resuce Tigers have just stopped eating - nothing you can do i'm afraid...just hope and pray they decide to eat.
Good luck with them, let us know how they get on.
Anjie,x.
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Post by pheonixx on Aug 21, 2005 18:00:32 GMT
Thanks Anjie the sitch is still not good some {2} are doing better than the others I am looking at one who has sealed himself deep in his shell and not moved for 24 hours I am plucking up the courage to get him out and run him under the tap...which used to bring their little faces out...but not lately its awful every day I am just dreading the smell if you see what I mean..I have realy looked after them their shells are gleaming and perfect...hell I dont even use tap water to spray them with or put in their bath I buy bottled water for us to drink and to give the pets{snails and budgies} I will go look and check back later..gulp..Linda
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Post by pheonixx on Aug 21, 2005 18:04:29 GMT
PS Mike I cant get them to come out of their shells to hand feed them  ..wish they would...wish I knew what was hurting them...thats the trouble with snails..so many internal probs we cant see. |
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Post by pheonixx on Aug 21, 2005 19:57:41 GMT
Cant talk much RIP Glancer my biggest lad...I think Columbus will soon follow...Linda |
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Post by lotsofsnails on Aug 21, 2005 20:26:48 GMT
ohhh linda i'm sorry he died i just hope that the other 3 make it. to get a snail to come out you can put them in a shallow pool of warm water and wait, then try feeding them mushy food. thats what i did for one of mine for a long time, but he didnt get any better so i had to euthanase him. some get to a stage where they cant get any better its awful when this happens, i really do hope they make it kind regards mike |
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Post by Emmachan on Aug 21, 2005 22:21:46 GMT
Oh..  Im sad to hear that ur snailie died.. i know its so sad, but dont blame urself.. Paul had the same problem with its siblings and i know u and him are very caring snail owners  how are ur dimidiata doing? |
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Post by pheonixx on Aug 22, 2005 2:31:35 GMT
Mike we do have a water bowl in with them and it was great to see them having a bath in it...but they dont come out even with warm water now  ...thanks Emma I have tried everything as Paul has too..we think these 2 are related to Pauls so it could be something genetic..who knows..but its very sad..Linda |
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Post by SnailTrail on Aug 22, 2005 12:14:30 GMT
*hugs*
Aww Linda i'm so sorry.
I hope your other little fellas perk up.
Janet
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Post by lotsofsnails on Aug 22, 2005 22:16:46 GMT
how are the two you thought were getting better?
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Post by luvfishies on Aug 23, 2005 0:49:39 GMT
Ohhhh, LInda, so sorry to hear about this. I know what it's like to watch your babies just seem to waste away. I've had whole clutches of Brigs make it to the 2 month mark and then just "fail to thrive" for no apparent reason.
It's enough to make you tear your hair out!
((hugs))
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Post by pheonixx on Aug 23, 2005 18:54:05 GMT
Indeed it is Caroline...not much change in them today...I am about to bath them and check them out...eeekk I hate this bit..Linda PS thanks to everyone for your words of comfort!!
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I realy do fear that we are going to loose our 4 big lads..they were doing realy well their shells were perfect and they were eating well...then over the last 2 weeks they are looking dreadfully ill..not eating..their shells have lost that sheen they had..and their little bodys seem to be changing colours and they look skinny and there is nothing more I can do for them I am throwing away food every day..and the only time they come out of their shells is when I spray them but each day I fear brings them closer to death and I am gutted as I love them to bits...I cant understand it nothing in the envoirenment has changed and I have not added anything new?...any help would be appreciated...Linda
..wish they would...wish I knew what was hurting them...thats the trouble with snails..so many internal probs we cant see.
...thanks Emma I have tried everything as Paul has too..we think these 2 are related to Pauls so it could be something genetic..who knows..but its very sad..Linda
