ill?

[liz2]

I only have 1 gal left I lost one during the winter. The one I have now has been very lethargic for a couple of weeks. drinking, and eating only tiny amounts. Last night he was hanging from the top of his tank but I left him although he looked funny. Today he is on the base of his tank on the soil and on his side he has something coming out of his mouth looks like his insides. I think he is almost dead, not sure what to do. is there anything I ought to do with him. thanks for a quick reply. The other one just went in to his shell and died, this one looks in pain.

[Dusk]

They can get very slow and tired if it's not warm enough or damp enough for them. When that's the problem, usually warming them and making it damper is enough to get them active. Have you checked the heat and humidity?

Is it possibe that what looks like his insides is, well, poop? Sometimes it can look very organish. I've not heard of them pushing their actual innards out before.

[liz2]

thanks for reply. I spray his tank every day and he does have a small dish of water as well. Tempt. has been the same all year so I dont think thats the problem. I have had him about 4 years now. This second looked at him and he is retracting back in his shell, but there is a thing, looks like half a peeled grape protruding!

[Dusk]

That doesn't sound like anything I've ever seen - I'm sorry I can't be more helpful I hope someone else here can suggest something.

[lucyjames]

Hi there...

snails can expel their digestive tract through their mouth - see here:

www.petsnails.co.uk/problems/gut_extrusion.html#start

But I hope that like Dusk says, it is just poo...

All good wishes to your poorly snaily...

[coyote]

It sounds to me like gut extrusion. If so, I'm sorry for your snail.

[liz2]

thank you for your replies. I was going to look into euthanasia. But I am sure my snail is dead. The body is very hard(?) if that is the right word and when I touch her there is not the slightest indication of movement. It really was horrible to see and I hope that no one else s snail suffers so. At least my last 2 just retracted into their shells and died quietly. On a brighter note I bet (In the 4 years I had them) not many other snails have been to Appledore, Yarmouth, Torquay, and Bournemouth. No one in my family would look after them for me. Thank you again for your help. I know of a batch of baby snails but I dont think I will have any more but concentrate on my siamese fighters.

[coyote]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Sometimes these things happen even though we do our best for our snails. Rest in peace, little snailie.