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Post by spideranne on Dec 20, 2012 3:00:00 GMT
Hello, I am new to this board, but its a rather urgent matter. Rhe carrying tank I use in the classroom had some sort of malfunction and the bottom went spilling, taking two of the snails with it. Only one had damage to its shell, thank goodness. I would like to know what I need to do to help it heal. It seems to not even notice the break, and is climbing amd eating normally. Will the snail heal itself or will I need to do something for the poor thing? Should I move it to a tank by itself? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Attachments:
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Post by pinkunicorn on Dec 20, 2012 4:01:58 GMT
Have a look at these topics: petsnails.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=problems&action=display&thread=12424petsnails.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=problems&action=display&thread=12644This is the kind of breakage that can possibly be fixed with my Flexifix/Tegaderm method. Just make sure the pieces of shell do not get lost until you get the tape from a pharmacy. Put the pieces into their places and then put the tape on top of it to keep them in place. If you do this properly the snail will regenerate the pieces into the shell from the inside and has a good chance of recovery. But do not attempt to use just any tape for this, it will not stick and will do more damage than fix anything. It's pretty awful looking damage, the shell is basically crushed into pieces. It's a bit like my little aspersa patient's shell, but this is even worse as the shell is larger and the snail adult. You should get the tape as soon as possible and get fixing whenever you can to give him the best chances of survival. Do keep him separated in a box where he cannot move a lot. But since he's big, make sure the box will allow the shell to move around freely without getting stuck anywhere in case the snail decides to climb, as getting stuck might further the damage. Good luck, keep us posted if you got any other questions! I am sure you will have, but have a look at those topics to get you started. |
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Post by spideranne on Dec 20, 2012 6:24:30 GMT
Update! I just checked back in on him (I am in Korea, and monitoring him while I am at work till I can get him home safely) and it looks like the majority of the break was a thin 'layer' of the shell that has since fallen away to reveal more intact shell beneath.. The rough looking bit of his shell midway back is back when we had some trouble with the larger snail rasping at his buddies' shells; the only truly broken bit is near the mantle with the white exposed. Will he still need taping up, or can he fix himself like the case in your first link? Attachments:
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Post by pinkunicorn on Dec 20, 2012 7:22:33 GMT
Ah so there's no holes that expose internal organs? That's good news, very good news! If the shell is in one piece it probably doesn't need taping.
The damage exposing his mantle looks similar to the adult Helix aspersa's picture I posted in the first link. As I said there that damage had happened in the wild, it was quite extensive and yet the snail made it just fine. The mantle is the part where the shell grows in size so it should be able to secrete new shell-building cells in the areas needed just fine. Keep him moist and clean and make sure he eats lots of calcium. You could even give him a human calcium tablet for a few weeks to give a real boost of nutrients to build shell, as well as some extra protein in the form of fish food or boiled unsalted and unspiced meat or chicken. Best calcium supplements for this purpose are unflavoured pills meant to be swallowed. They should contain no artificial sweeteners, and preferably as few additives as possible (starch fillers etc. standard medicine additives are OK). I normally do not recommend a tablet with vitamin D added to it, but it might be beneficial in cases of shell breakage when used for a short period, a few weeks or so.
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Post by spideranne on Dec 20, 2012 9:04:27 GMT
Thank you so much! I will get him set up in his own little area and grab some more calcium and a bit of protein. And....I hate to add more drama, but the second snail that took a spill looked fine for a few hours, but now has bits of flesh poking through much farther back in its shell. My head teacher is not happy that I want to put them in separate containers, either... Attachments:
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Post by vallery on Dec 20, 2012 16:14:52 GMT
Hi Spideranne  , I believe there is a section on the website connected to this forum that explains how you can patch a broken shell. That may help. Hope it turns out okay. Vallery |
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Post by pinkunicorn on Dec 20, 2012 22:03:35 GMT
OK that looks pretty bad. I recommend the Flexifix taping for the second snail. The biggest whorl is completely off the rest of the shell, by the looks of it, and if that comes off completely the snail will not be happy or healthy. It's a bit too large damage.
Try to push the bubble into the shell with clean fingers, very gently. Then wipe the shell clean, gently, and put the Flexifix plaster over the crack where the bubble is. Put another piece over the whorl connection part, and on any bits that seem a bit loose.
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Post by vallery on Dec 20, 2012 22:34:48 GMT
Hi pinkunicorn , I have a cepaea and part of his shell is chipped in a way. It isn't a hole there is still rough shell there. He keeps rasping at it. Do you think the flexifix would help in a situation like this? Thanks. vallery |
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Post by pinkunicorn on Dec 21, 2012 18:17:18 GMT
If it's a piece that is semi-attached then yeah, the Flexifix (or Tegaderm) would help it stay in place while the snail repairs it from the inside.
I should probably dig out the photos I took of my baby and show how he has healed from a smashed shell.
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Post by vallery on Dec 22, 2012 0:13:51 GMT
Hi pinkunicorn,
The part of the shell is not detached in any way all I can think of to explain it is it is like a piece was shaved off the top and it is indented and rough in that area. But not detached. The worry is he keeps rasping it and may create a hole there.
vallery
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Post by pinkunicorn on Dec 22, 2012 15:34:00 GMT
Ohhhh I see what you mean now. Hmm, for that kind of thing maybe plaster of Paris or something like that would work on top of the weakened spot. If the snaily keeps rasping then it would rasp the filling, or the tape, and a calcium-based nontoxic filling is probably a better alternative. Unless of course the snaily thinks the plaster of Paris is really yummy and eats it all away... fulicas are known to eat away the plaster from people's houses as a calcium source!
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Post by vallery on Dec 23, 2012 14:10:23 GMT
Thank You for your help with this pinkunicorn. I know this is off topic from broken shells but I need some advice from you about my leopard slug. Yesterday she laid another batch of eggs (don't know if it is possible for them to lay a second batch that would be fertile) But the problem is after she laid the eggs now her air hole is not open and skin protruding from it. I can't see her surviving and I don't know why it happened. Have you seen anything like this with your leopards? vallery  |
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Post by pinkunicorn on Dec 24, 2012 20:07:23 GMT
I've seen that in another slug and he died within a day.  It could mean lung collapsing although I can't imagine why laying eggs would do that. Have you got anything sterile that you could use to try and gently push it back into the pneumostome? She might be able to pull the lung back where it should be that way. Or better yet, if you got time for a picture to see what exactly is going on? |
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Post by morningcoffee on Dec 24, 2012 21:16:55 GMT
I've seen that in another slug and he died within a day. It could mean lung collapsing although I can't imagine why laying eggs would do that. Have you got anything sterile that you could use to try and gently push it back into the pneumostome? She might be able to pull the lung back where it should be that way. Or better yet, if you got time for a picture to see what exactly is going on? I don't know much about slugs, but is it possible it could be some kind of prolapse brought on by the strain of egg-laying? |
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Post by vallery on Dec 25, 2012 0:38:49 GMT
Hi pinkunicorn , Thank You. She is still alive sliding around the tank. Slow and not eating. I will try to get a picture posted by tommorrow. It isn't a huge bump but there is no opening there anymore. Thank You morningcoffee , I was wondering if might be from the strain of laying eegs as it was right after her second batch and she had two huge batches of eggs. I just wish she would eat. vallery Hey! Christmas Eve Whoo! Hoo! Merry Christmas  |
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Post by vallery on Dec 25, 2012 19:13:32 GMT
unfortunately Mumma L. maximus passed away last night  so I will have to make sure I take extra special care of here eggs and babies. vallery |
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Post by morningcoffee on Dec 25, 2012 20:23:45 GMT
unfortunately Mumma L. maximus passed away last night so I will have to make sure I take extra special care of here eggs and babies. vallery I'm sorry to hear that, poor thing I hope the little baby slugs will grow up strong and healthy though, best of luck with them! |
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Post by vallery on Dec 25, 2012 22:25:02 GMT
Thank You morningcoffee , I will try my best to take good care of the little ones born so far for Mumma. They are so tiny but eating well. vallery |
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It could mean lung collapsing although I can't imagine why laying eggs would do that.
so I will have to make sure I take extra special care of here eggs and babies.