swollen body illness - avoid this food!

[xxminipinxx]

I have been searching the internet to find what is wrong with my snail, the swollen body section in the illness section of this website explains exactly the current condition of my very large snail (I'm sorry it was given to me so I'm unsure of species).

I fed him Sainsburys Round Lettuce.

All of my other snail breeds refused to eat it, but this one had some. His body has swollen massively, he has slowed down to almost a stop, his mantle is sticking out of his body a few mm. His body is not retracting into shell. And his feces is a jelly like green and see through, now changed to grey but still not normal. He also hasn't eaten at all since.

By the sounds of it, it could be a lot worse. Fingers crossed he recovers. Any advice would be appreciated!

But DO NOT feed snails this lettuce. - Sainsburys Round lettuce (I only put the shop as I realise this isnt a very specific description of the type of lettuce, but can help others avoid)

[inky]

I hope he survives! Maybe try soaking him in some green tea? He might accidentally swallow some and it will be soaked through the skin. Don't make it too deep, though! You don't want your little friend to drown!

[xxminipinxx]

He has survived until Monday and I saw the problem on Saturday, so I am slightly more hopeful. On Sunday morning we thought we had lost him - body pale and completely limp, but my partner waved him under the tap and he made a sudden revival.

We called a local tropical animal place and a girl told me to keep washing and bathing him, so I have and hes looking much better.

My issue now is he hasn't eaten since this all has begun, and I think he is getting weak from it.

I have tried all the usual veg etc but he just ignoring it and going off to the corner of his tank.

Any suggestions for what to feed him?

I have read on here they like cat food, but I am reluctant as he has just had quite a big upset and never eaten cat food in the past, and I always thought it had salt in??

Help! I don't want him to get this far and then not make it!

[gunshotglitter]

Try giving him some fish pellets - the food used for goldfish - my snails love it and it's full of vitamins and proteins.

[xxminipinxx]

Which brand of fish pellet? I am going to go and buy some now from the supermarket. If there is a particular brand then I will make sure I get it!

[gunshotglitter]

I give mine golfish food, but you can give them those for tropical fish too.
When I was buying it I checked for proteine level and also that it has high percentage of vitamine D3, because my snails don't see the sun that much.

[xxminipinxx]

I got what I could and also I got bonios.
Mushed them up in water and he ate! So happy!

Since my last post his mantle has become detached, but as soon as he ate, he completely did a 180 degree turn around and looked normal. I made a lot of food and took it away after a while as didnt want him to over eat.
He has now gone to sleep.

Fingers crossed if I can keep him eating, and warm and moist, he will pull through.

It was sad sad state earlier and I considered putting him in the freezer, but after he ate he perked up and was full of life.

Any more advice please keep it coming. He is a very large snail and it would be so sad if I couldn't help him pull through.

[malacophile]

How is your snail doing now? I realize that my response may be coming a bit late, but if it is, hopefully it could at least help someone else in a similar situation.

If your snail isn't eating and seems to be getting weak, you could try placing him in white grape juice. This is common practice with hermit crabs that refuse to eat. It's high in electrolytes and the sugars should give him some calories and energy.