hi everyone - desparately need help

[snakelady]

Hi everyone,
Just joined the forum today - so glad to find you

Sorry to start off with a question - but I've a desparate situation on my hands.

For the last 18 months or so, a large family of slugs have been regularly visiting our home.

My very favourite is a stunning slug called Snakelady, I hadn't seen her for a while and was really worried - but she returned two nights ago - looking big, healthy and full of fun.
She came back again last night - not looking to well - she wasn't extending to her full length, and though still very friendly and affectionate - she wasn't nearly as lively as before.
Within an hour, she was more scrunched up, starting to look quite dry, and her tail was raised.

I've been damping her down with cool water, given her a little Bach's Flower Remedy. We kept her in overnight as she looked like she was dying - but still wanted human contact and comfort.
She spent the night wrapped in damp lettuce leaves, near the open door - at times her tempertature seemed high, as she was warm to the touch - when that happened we placed a little ice between other lettuce leaves and placed these close to her.

Surprisingly, she survived the night - but is still very reluctant to move, and seems very sleepy and unresponsive.
I searched all day on the internet for solutions, and finally found your forum. Even the vet could suggest no more than keeping her cool and moist.

Can any members please help - I doubt she will last another night like this, and I love her dearly.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Please help,
Love snakelady

[Val]

I wish I could help more, but my only thought was that perhaps she is very old now??

Val

[snakelady]

I don't think snakelady is old - I first met her last summer, and she was still a small slug, now approx 6-7 months on she seems full grown. I don't know a lot about slugs - just trying to learn as I go along - but I understood they could live 5 to 6 years.

Thanks for your reply Val, I'm still hoping she'll pull through - just wish I could help her.

Thanks snakelady

[snakelady]

Am I doing something wronge here, should my intro and question be in another section perhaps?
If so, I apologise - but I don't see that such an error on my part, should account for any lack of help or advise.
Please remember I'm seekng help of a very sick little creature - any help would be greatly appreciated.
If this forum has no interest in slugs - could someone please redirect me.
Regards snakelady

[Arno]

Hello Snakelady,this forum also deals with slugs,the lack of response is not a lack of interest but probably because the people don't know how to help you.Some details might help us,like where are you located,can you describe the slug(colours and markings) etc.Some slugs only last a year,others live a few years.But without further info it's difficult to tell.Good luck with Snakelady.

[snakelady]

I live in central Scotland, about 10 miles outside Glasgow.
The slugs that visit us are a variety of sizes and colours - ranging from deep burgundy, to amber, also small slim black slugs with grey stripes.
But Snakelady is unique from all the others - when well she is predominately bright yellow, but has a multitude of extremely fancy markings all over [very dark brown to black].
Since she has been ill the bright yellow base colour had faded consideably - appearing more beige/grey now.
When she first started visiting [6/7 months ago], she was only approx 1.5 to 2 inches when fully extended, and quite slim in build.
Now she is nearer 5 to 6 inches when extended, and really quite muscular in build.
One other distinguishing mark I've noticed - her optical anntena seem longer than usual, and in fitting with her all over pattern - these also have visible stripes when extended.

Personality wise - snakelady, from her very first visit, has been extremely friedly and affectionate, and though she regularly took food we offered [fruit, lettuce, roast beef, whiskas], she was always much more interested in playing and interacting with us [also very keen to play with our dog, but Chole has no interest in slugs at all].

Unbelivably, snakelady is still holding on - over 48 hours of intensive nursing now.
I don't know how to treat her, but am continuing with the sprays of diluted Bach Flower Remedy in tepid water, regular massages with cool water, and plenty fresh air if she seems warm to the touch. She's sleeping between lettuce leaves - and has slept for most of last 48 hours.
This morning she was brighter and interested in her surroundings. I've offered her mango, fresh lettuce, cherries, cheese, scrambled eggs and roast beef - but she has refused them all - Idon't know what else to try.
She seemed interested at first in the wedge of mango - but just used it to crawl up onto my hand - that was the first she had moved in two days. She fully extended on my hand [antenna also fully extended], played around for approx five mins, reached up for a couple of kisses, but very quickly became exhausted again, and has been very sleepy ever since.

I hope all this extra info helps - I would really appreciate any advise on her care. She definitely has the will to live, but I don't really know how to care for her best.
She's an outstanding little slug, and deserves the best.
All replies very welcome,
Many thanks Snakelady.

[coyote]

The description reminds me of a banana slug, which are native only to the Pacific Coast of North America from California to Alaska, in the habitat of moist forest floors. If your little friend is indeed a banana slug, it may be someone's escaped (or discarded) pet, and your climate and local habitat may be too dry or cold for it. I live in northern California, and Mr. Coyote and I see them all the time when we go on hikes in woodsy areas.

Of course, it may not be a banana slug after all. There are many others on this forum who know a whole lot more about slugs in general than I do. I don't really study them, I just enjoy watching them when I see them in the wild.

Good luck with your little friend.

[snakelady]

Hi Thanks for the repies,

Interestng thought - snakelady being a banana slug!
I've only seen photos of banana slug, and she doesn't look like one to me - appears to have much more pattern than banana slugs, and if I understand correctly, snakelady is much smaller. She is more the size and shape of our larger garden slugs - but her markings are much more fancy, and dense. It's hard to describe in words [and I don't have the software to upload a photo], but she looks like a mini diamond back snake to me - thus the name.

I'll obviously have to keep her indoors until she recovers [if she does] - what kind of environment or habitat should I be aiming for?
All our other slugs are nightly visitors, and leave after a few hours fun - so providing a "home" for snakelady is new territory for me.

Any advise or tips most welcome,
Many thanks Snakelady

[Arno]

I think it being a Banana slug is very unlikely,it sounds like it could be a young Limax maximus.Slug care is not that different from snail care.But in this case especially:places to hide under bark,moss etc,a layer of soil,maybe a branch and moderate temperatures.
For pics of the Limax:
images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=limax%20maximus&btnG=Google+Search&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

[snakelady]

Hi Arno,
Thanks for the advice and the link to the pictures - had a good look - I think snakelady is probably a Limax Maximus Tigerschnegel.
Against all odds she's still with us, this morning [as yesterday morning], she was up and about for approx five mins, then became very exhausted again, and has been sleeping ever since.
At the moment my greatest concern is her refusal to eat - she hasn't eaten since tuesday - when she fully extended this morning it was obvious she has lost a tremendous amount of weight.
At the begining of the week, when she still appeared healthy, she had a fairly muscular build, but today when extended she looks very thin indeed. Also, the area approx mid-mantle looks slightly depressed and "saggy". Could this be a sign of dehydration?
Regarding feeding - I've offered her lettuce, grapes, cherries, tomatoes, pineapple, cheese, scrambled egg, quorn deli, roast beef and whiskas. She has refused everything.
She also refuses water - though I've been spraying her, and gently applying water to her skin.
How should she feel when I touch her? Should she be cool and moist? That's how most of the slugs usually feel. But at times this week, snakelady has been warm to the touch, and at times slightly sticky. At those times I've tried to cool her down and moisten her skin. Is that correct?
Any suggestions as to what may tempt her to eat would be great.
I'd hate her to die of starvation after all she's been through.

Many thanks for everyone's help.
Arno - one last question if you don't mind - going by her growth rate over last six months - I think she's probably just reached maturity - what should her life expectancy be, if she recovers?

Thanks again, Snakelady

[sezzy5889]

Snakelady you do know Limax maximus are carnivores don't you?

your slug may nibble on that fruit and veg but their ideal meal would be another slug, when i kept this species i fed them on slightly smaller Arion rufus slugs that i found in the garden, these are a browny orange colour and very common

[snakelady]

Hi Sarah,
I'm a complete beginer - I'd no idea snakelady was carnivorous - really shocked.
I couldn't possibly feed her other little creatures, especially if they had to be live.
Would meat be an alternative?

[sezzy5889]

i'm not really sure whether they would take other meats i have never tried it...

if not, maybe it would be kinder to re-release her somewhere near other slugs and leave her it

[Paul]

They're scavengers really, rather than being hunter slugs so they will eat meat.

I've been wondering what advice to give you regarding the illness and I'm not sure what it could be really. Slugs are prey to a number of afflictions from bacterial to parasites.

You've probably seen little mites on slugs already, most wild slugs seem to have them. They seem to cope with even large numbers but they probably can be adversely affected as they suck blood from the slug. You'll notice them most when you disturb a slug slightly by gently prodding it.

There are also nematodes that attack slugs, the slugs tend to swell rather than deflate though.

Slug pellets cause slugs to dehydrate by over production of mucus. They can survive this by coming into contact with plenty of water.

My advice is to keep them in the conditions described on the website:

www.petsnails.co.uk/care/

but keep the temperature on the cool side by keeping the tank in an unheated room or something.

[snakelady]

Hi Paul,
Thanks so much for the advise - the whole "live food" aspect had me frantic. I couldn't kill others slugs, or feed them live to here. Your news is such a relief.

I've never seen any mites or parasites on her, and I handle her a lot, so hopefully that's not the problem.

I have worried a lot about posioning, snakelady doesn't usually live with me as such - just visits for a few hours every night - so who knows what she encounters outside, and people are really horrible to slugs.

She has stayed indoors with me since she took ill on tuesday, and seems very happy, if she recovers I'd love to keep her - but not against her will.

It will be interesting to see if the Bach Flower Remedy is successful, maybe it could help other members. The vets don't seem either knowledgable or interested in these little creatures, so maybe us who love them can pool our information and help each other.

I've used supplements are herbal remedies on my other pets with great success for years now, maybe those similar remedies, diluted appropriately, and administered properly, can help our little slugs and snails.

Thanks for all your help - I'll let you all know how snakelady is doing - she's still hanging in there at the moment.

All the best Snakelady.

[Val]

Oh yes please keep us updated, will keep my fingers crossed for her!!

Val

[snakelady]

Hi Val,

Thanks for the lovely message, and good wishes.

To be honest, I feel like I'm on an emotional roller-coaster - I thought yesterday snakelady was improving, but her refusal to eat was becoming a grave concern.
This evening, she desperately wanted a cuddle and nurse, so I helped her onto my hand - she hadn't the energy to make the move herself. She made an effort to stretch out, but didn't achieve full extension.
She fully extended her antenna, and was reaching up for a kiss, she had some kisses, but stayed stationary. When I was stroking her, and damping her down - I noticed her mantle was depressed, and she felt "spongy".
So on top of the mysterious illness, refusal to eat - she now seems quite dehydrated. I'm devastated, she's been so brave, I don't want to lose her to starvation or dehydration

I've offered her everything imaginable to eat - with no success.
She seems at times to take little drinks - but obviously not enough.
She just wants nursed all the time, and kissed and talked to. All of which I'm more than happy to do - but she gets overheated sitting on my hands.

I still think, as I did yesterday, that she had turned the corner regarding the original illness, but she is not co-operating with the convalescence - which in itself could prove fatal.

I've been averaging about 2 hours sleep per night since Tuesday, I'm afraid to take my eyes off her. Tonight I'm gravely concerned for her.
Any ideas on re hydration and treats for feeding would be greatly appreciated.
But I think the fact the she's still with us, is a testimony to her courage and character. I wish you could all meet her - she's stunningly beautiful, and has the nature to match.

Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
Thanks for all your help and support Snakelady

[Paul]

Slugs can absorb water through their skin and their weight is related to humidity so you could try sitting her in a shallow dish of water or bathing her.

[copigeon]

Ive always found with slugs, that rotten sweet potato can be of help with persuading them to eat. When sweet potato turns it becomes a sticky sweet mush, just leave one in a plastic bag indoors and it'll soon get in that state in places, then scoop and offer.

[snakelady]

Hi everyone,
Paul and copigeon - thanks for the advise - will certainly try out both options.
Re - bathing snakelady - should I use tepid water, and keep it below the level of her breathing hole?

Though she remains dehydrated, and doesn't appear to be eating much, she looks wonderful today.
I got her settled down about 5am, and managed some sleep myself. Couple of hours later I woke up and she was desperate to get on my hand for a nurse. She climbed on unassisted, stretched out to full length, and ran about playing and giving kisses for hours.
I kept putting her back down to rest, and offering food [she took some in her mouth, but I couldn't see any "chewing" or swallowing. So I don't know if she actually ate or not.
She did take a couple of drops of water off my fingertip.

She still very thin, and still not fully rehydrated again - but wow she bounding with energy and full of fun
She's finally having a little sleep now - but that was hours she was up and about - the concept of convalescence was off no interest to her at all Hope she hasn't done to much, but she was not for being restrained.

So what happened overnight to bring about this progress?
I really don't know, maybe all the nursing care, and advise from you guys paid off. But her will to live has been astounding.

Late last night two little baby slugs came in for a visit - I wasn't sure whether to let them near snakelady or not - but it was so cold and miserable I hadn't the heart to throw them out, and thought OK a short visit and feed, then home.
But they took one look at snakelady, and made a bee-line for her.
One was so small he was just like a little full-stop [we've called him Halt], the other was a bit bigger and beautiful shades of amber and gold [she called Amber].
Little Halt just cuddle right into her and refused to move, he was happily asleep within minutes.
Amber went all over snakelady, kissing and patting her, then she cuddle in and went to sleep too.

Snakelady seemed delighted to have some babies around her, and carefully checked them both out. The three cuddlers slept together, and today remain inseparable. It seems to have given snakelady great comfort, and brought out all her mothering instincts.
The little ones are happy and well, and having great fun eating everything around them, and snakelady - though still wanting petted all the time, seems really happy to have two babies to cuddle when resting.

I don't know if I was right to let the little ones stay, but they all seemed so happy and content together, I hadn't the heart to separate them. I wish you could see them together, it would melt your heart.

So, all looks really good at the moment, and tomorrow I'm going to buy them a new house, and all their supplies - everything has just been make-do till now. But big shopping spree tomorrow.

I can't thank you enough for all your help and support, and I don't know if we're completely out of the woods yet - I still want snakelady to start eating much more. But the fact that she's still with us is miraculous.

Many thanks to everyone, and I'll let you know how the shopping trip goes, and their move to a new home.
Snakelady ;D

[Val]

So glad to read that snakelady is improving, you have put in so much time and caring I am so pleased that she is responding. Do keep us updated though!

Val

[snakelady]

Hi everyone,

Well snakelady had her first bath last night - she found the whole thing rather traumatic. It did seem to help with the dehydration, but the effects were short lived.
She needed mega kisses and cuddles after it. But I think maybe we'll persevere - hopefully she'll get used to the idea, and the rehydration must be helpful.

Went on the big shopping spree today. The petshop owners couldn't have been nicer or more helpful.
I was so excited when I got home, and started fixing up their new home.
Little Amber and Halt love it ;D
Me and snakelady hate it
I put the three of them in together, and within minutes Amber and Halt had disappeared - I haven't seen them for nearly three hours now
Why can't substrate, soil, branches, etc, etc be transparent - I can't see the babies.

Snakelady hasn't moved off her little coaster yet, and looks lost and lonely. It's very awkward to reach in and stroke her - so we're just gazing at each other through the glass. Very sad.

I'm trying to be stoic and sensible - the tank is a much better. and more natural environment for them - but it feels awful like empty nest syndrome

I'm hoping snakelady will accept her new home, and benefit from it, so I'm trying really hard to resist lifting her out and cuddling her.
She been sitting contemplating a piece of cucumber, and some moist tortoise food since she went into the tank - but hasn't ate any yet. She looks very sad and morose, and is obviously missing all the human contact.
Do you think I should persevere, or take her out for cuddles, and just put her in the tank at night?

It's all very disappointing - I hoped she would be delighted with her new home - but she just seems to feel abandoned. Poor baby!

Who knows when Amber and Halt will reappear,but they are missed, by me and by snakelady.

What a bummer

Keep you updated Snakelady

[Arno]

Snakelady,sometimes for snails and slugs it takes a little while to get used to their new surroundings.Don't expect this to happen within a day (or few days even).So I think you should persevere until she's back to full strength.In my opinion a natural habitat will benefit her health.
Good luck!

[snakelady]

Hi everyone,

Snakelady continues her rather strange road of recovery and remission. This morning she was really bright and playful. She had a good sleep this afternoon.
This evening she is awake, but seems distressed - several small dark round and oblong "things" have came out her breathing hole. From several angels there appear to be several more of these "things" within her breathing hole. The hole itself seems very stretched.
Are these eggs that are coming out?
And can slugs become egg-bound, like birds can?
If she is egg-bound, is there any treatment?

I know so little about these little creatures - I don't know if these things are eggs, or normal waste products coming out.
I had thought the anus was situated under the mantel, so wouldn't expect waste products to be excreted from her breathing hole.
Whenever, little Amber and Halt pass waste - it looks like a little black string, coming from high on their backs, from underneath the mantle.
I had worried that snakelady wasn't passing any waste - but she was hardly eating.
Does anyone know whats happening with snakelady - is she really constipated, or is she passing eggs. Either way is there anything I can do to help her?

Many Thanks Snakelady

[copigeon]

There is, the possibility of parasites?
Otherwise it could well be waste, slug eggs in general are transparent or yellowish in colour (from what Ive seen Im sure thats not universal but...).
Not really much you can do but wait and see?

PS. This thread is quite a story, absolutely fascinating. Have you ever thought about writing childrens books?