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Post by section8angel on Sept 16, 2005 18:41:11 GMT
Well most of you guys know about my rescued Margie so I wont go into the details of it again lol. I just hope all of this will make sense. I've had him about 4 days now I think it is, and during that time (from what I've seen) he's only come out fully and actually moved around twice. He's come part of the way out a few times, but sometimes things like me moving the tank a bit or opening the lid (quietly) have made him go back in, the rest of the time he's gone back in for no reason. He hasn't eaten at all since he's been here, but then I don't know how much he might have eaten at the airport. Obviously he would have been very cold from being stored with whatever food he came in with, but I have tried to warm him up. Is there anything I can do to get him out of his shell and eating? I'm getting a bit worried about him. His body seems to be slimier than my other snails, and I'm also a bit worried about that rat-lung parasite. (Worried for me and him) Does it actually harm them like it can us? Or do they just carry it? I have no idea or way of knowing if he is from the wild for definate, but I would assume so because he was in the cargo area, and is bigger than most captive bred Margies!! So I'm a bit worried he might have it. I'm keeping him on his own because of this (and because he's so huge lol) Hopefully he doesn't have it, or if he does I wont get it. (I already have a shot immune system so it wouldn't be very good at all) Sooooo if any of that made sense, has anyone got some ideas/info?
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Arno
Archachatina puylaerti
Posts: 1,493
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Post by Arno on Sept 16, 2005 18:50:24 GMT
Funnily enough it did made sense lol,you can try putting him in a dish with some water and tempt him with special foods....maybe sweetcorn,sweet potato,dogbiscuits... The parasite wont harm the snails they just carry it,always wash your hands when handling him,but he might not carry it at all......
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Val
Archachatina dimidiata
Posts: 2,498
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Post by Val on Sept 16, 2005 18:51:13 GMT
Well, if it was me I would put his tank in a very very warm place and leave it there. Have you tried giving him a warm "bath" putting him in a saucer of warm water for a while and then return him to his warm tank. Keep giving him fresh food every day, put the food right in front of him so he can't miss it. Could also try a little soft food - mashed banana? again putting it right in front of him. First and foremost though I would say that warmth is paramount.
Val
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Leah
Archachatina puylaerti
Do you want me to sit in the corner and rust, or just fall apart where I'm standing?
Posts: 1,261
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Post by Leah on Sept 16, 2005 19:08:23 GMT
Porridge is good for snails that haven't been eating. Banana got my Eric eating again. Also beer! They can't resist it so try putting a drop on the food.
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Post by section8angel on Sept 16, 2005 19:18:06 GMT
When I moved him into the bathroom, that was when he came out the first time, but it's the only really warm room in the house, and I would have to make sure he was out of there whenever we have baths etc as you can't use underarm sprays etc near them can you? Will be a bit of a pain but I will try it again anyway.
I've been putting him almost right ontop of the food too lol Most the time he's just sat there hiding inside his shell still.
I will go and try the bath now, and some beer if there's some open lol Don't have any banana though (gross stuff) and the only porridge type stuff we have is the oats so simple thing in the syrupy flavour. Would that be any good? We have sweetcorn too, so I'll try that aswell. I've already tried tempting him with lettuce, cucumber, apple, mushroom, strawberry, grape and a dog biscuit!! But I will try the ones we have from your lists.
I know he might not carry the parasite, it is just a little worrying. I have been washing my hands after holding him, I just worry a lot because of my immune system. (I've already had an infection from my fish tanks >=/ )
*Scoots off to try the bath*
Oh, anyone know about the extra slimeyness? I'll try and get a pic of what I mean later, it's just... strange lol.
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Post by sezzy5889 on Sept 16, 2005 20:59:53 GMT
Just thought i'd say not sweetcorn from a can, corn on a cob,
erm well yes warmth is very important and keeping the tank humid also but one thing no one has mentioned which helps a great deal is having another snail in with him, that cured my Roxy and i'm sure i have heard other people say that too, so if you have another adult snail or snails you could put in with him, don't worry about desease too much it's usually carried through feceas (however u spell that) and i'm guessing he hasn't deffecated as yet, even if you try just putting them in there for a day or two and if it doesn't work you can take them out again. But try it anyway, a little friendship can go a long way :-)
x Sarah x
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Post by section8angel on Sept 16, 2005 21:12:09 GMT
Well the bath started making him come out, but after a while he started going back in again and I had to come back up here anyway so I put him back in the tank. He was coming out soooooooooo slowley that's the bit that's annoying and worrying me, all my others come out of their shells much faster than him. The slime stuff.. well I'll try and get a pic tomorrow but for now this is the best description I can do: There's "clear" bits of slime that appear randomly on him, not totally clear but not white either Then there's the bit on the inside, on his body. It's strange, it looks like it shouldn't be there, but obviously it should as it's part of him!! It's the "ring" bit that attaches to the shell and then to his body, but it doesn't look right. Grr hang on I have a pic here lol: It's that bit badly circled in red. It doesn't look as bad in that pic (it just looks "crispy" round the edges o.o; ), but when I look at him some other times it looks REALLY REALLY slimey lol. It just doesn't look normal all the time! Am I being paranoid? I think I am... I'll have to have a look at my others tomorrow lol. Sorry guys! Anyway, away from my madness lol Anyone know about the clear slime? There was no beer open but there will be tomorrow, and I've put some sweetcorn in for him along with a cherry tomato I stole from nans box of them earlier LOL
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Post by section8angel on Sept 16, 2005 21:17:02 GMT
Uh oh.. why not sweetcorn from the can?! *Takes it out quickly* I don't really want to put either of my adults in with him, not just because of disease but because he is so huge lol. He's at least 6cm bigger than my adults. But I am now on the look out for another Margie, I don't know if there's any near his size, but bigger than my fulicas will be good. I might try it for a few days like you said though. And no he hasn't defe... pooped yet lol. Oh, and back to that rat parasite thing quickly, does anyone know how long it takes before it dies in a snail? As that one isn't just in poop it's in the slime too... so I wouldn't want my others getting that from him -if- he has it.
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Val
Archachatina dimidiata
Posts: 2,498
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Post by Val on Sept 16, 2005 21:21:47 GMT
Hey, what Sarah suggested is a brilliant idea , why didn't I think of it, lol, yes try another snail in with him might just do the trick. Keep us posted how he gets on sometimes they do take a long time to come out.
Val
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Val
Archachatina dimidiata
Posts: 2,498
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Post by Val on Sept 16, 2005 21:24:00 GMT
I think canned sweetcorn has salt added!!!!
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Post by section8angel on Sept 16, 2005 21:25:17 GMT
Ooooo. Well it started making him come out instead of shrinking away lmao. I did wash it first anyway.. but I've taken it out now. I'll look on the tin tomorrow.
Poo.. another thing off the list.
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Val
Archachatina dimidiata
Posts: 2,498
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Post by Val on Sept 16, 2005 21:27:49 GMT
Has he pooed?? Put the sweetcorn back if that was working.
Val
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Post by section8angel on Sept 16, 2005 21:29:46 GMT
Lol I keep editing as people are reading, no he hasn't pooed yet.
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Val
Archachatina dimidiata
Posts: 2,498
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Post by Val on Sept 16, 2005 21:34:20 GMT
Gotta go keep hubby company for a while - chat tomorrow Sian, Hope he eats during the night!!
Val
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Post by section8angel on Sept 16, 2005 21:37:10 GMT
No problem and thanks. I'll put the sweetcorn back in and see what happens. And thanks Sarah, I'll try some company when I find out more about the parasite thing as I'm sure I read it can be passed on through slime too.
I can't remember who it was that did that long post on it.... was it Paul maybe? Whoever it was do you know the answers to my q's about it? lol Cheers.
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Post by Paul on Sept 17, 2005 2:37:27 GMT
Rat-lung worm info: petsnails.proboards3.com/index.cgi?board=pests&action=display&n=1&thread=4354My first margie was extremely inactive and the 3 main things that changed that were: Wetter substrate and a more humid tank. A definite switch between day and night, I added a lamp to help boost daylight and stick to 12/12 better. It meant less activity during the day but loads more at night Company, as soon as I added 2 more it was much more active. As for the slime thing, I can't figure out what you mean from the picture. I have noticed, mainly on large snails, you get congealed slime that kind of looks like the stringy veins you find in bacon. It is the "not totally clear but not white either" bit of your post that makes me think you mean this. If it is stringy and it is located on the body round the rim of the shell or underneath it is probably this. Just gently remove it. As for inactivity and coming out of his shell slow. I find my margies do come out slower and more cautiously. They're big snails and rather slow anyway. And I really do think snails are affected by a change in environment. He must have been through a lot so it will take a little time for him to build his confidence up.
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Post by section8angel on Sept 17, 2005 9:13:57 GMT
That's the post I read, I must have missed the quarantine period bit the first time DOH lol. But yes it's that maybe getting passed through slime bit that makes me not want to put any company in at the moment just incase. I found him like this just now (Why he's on his back I do not know, silly thing) I'm hoping that's all just poo?! I can't tell if all of it is.. I've had red poo green poo white poo... all colours of whatever they've eaten lol but as I haven't seen this one eat.. the poo looks kinda of strange. I looks like intestines to me *rolls eyes* And this is the first bit of slime I mean (there's also some attatched to his body and the poo in that first pic) It's that weird stuff next to the tomato there. It's not as clear/white today, but that's what I mean. It appears randomly and yes when he's out more it does just "hang" on him. I can pull it off in a long "vein" normally. The other bit.. well I'll try and get a pic of it when it's looking weird lol. Half the time it looks normal like in the pic, but other times it looks "too" slimey. Ahh what it is to be mad and confuse people lmao. Right, I'm off to try a bath and sweetcorn again. Then I'll see if anyones using the bathroom and put him in there lol. I might put him into a slightly smaller tank later to make it easier for moving him around. And thanks guys. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. P.S one last q.. anyone know how long a snail can safely go without eating?! I don't want this boy starving to death or anything!
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Post by sezzy5889 on Sept 17, 2005 9:49:22 GMT
some snails have gone a full month without eating, but it is possible for them to go longer i mean they hardly eat during the winter in the wild they conceal themselves into their shells,
I think he may be on his back as a result of coming out of his shell, was he on top of that little step in his tank??? if he went to come out of his shell and rolled down that step onto his back and then retracted again.
Have you got any way you can heat him more like a heat mat or putting him next to a radiator?
you also need to remember being such a large snail hes probably quite old as well and could be ready to go.
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Post by sezzy5889 on Sept 17, 2005 9:56:38 GMT
You also have the choice of sending him out to one of us, i'd be willing to have a go with him and i'm sure other people would too :-) Then hes sent back to you with his own special care sheet.
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Post by anjieburdett on Sept 17, 2005 12:03:14 GMT
Do't go sending him to anyone Sian - that could do more harm than good! Shame on you Sarah lol.
I my experience with these wild caught margies - they are as tough as old boots but the more you mess around with them the more they stay in their shells and won't eat. Leave him alone as much as you can, they can go without food for weeks and then suddenly start packing their faces - look at Chunk - he went to live with Nat to give me more room and he didn't eat for nearly 3 weeks!! I brought him back, put him in with his buddies again and after a further week he started eating again. So him having a buddy roughly the same size as him in the same tank could help.
Yes that is poo in the photo - i've found this with the brixtons - they haven't eaten for the longest time and when they do start eating it comes out in a 'bag' for want of a better word. I soon starts to come out normally as they start eating more regularly.
Keep him as warm as you can, give him some mashed potato, keep the soil moist .... above all make sure he has a bowl of water in with him - these big margies drink and awful lot of water!! If he's dehydrated he'll need it.
The bit you circled on the photo is his mantel - it's totally normal for it to be there lol, so don't worry about that.
I know its hard but don't handle him if you don't have to - honestly, it could save his life. Imagine yourself as that scared snail, if some great big giant picked you up - would you come out or tuck tight into your shell? Remember he's wild - he's not used to human contact. He will get braver the longer you have him.
You're doing good Sian, lemme know how he gets on.
Anjie,x.
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Post by section8angel on Sept 17, 2005 12:49:51 GMT
Lol, it's ok Sarah I know you meant well, but I wouldn't send him away anywhere even if you paid me lol. I know it could help, but not only am I stubborn as hell (I will get him well!!) I also attach to animals in an instant!! So sending would have me worrying non stop!! Plus he's so flipping heavy it would cost about a fiver just for the stamps hahahahaha. I will of course think about it though if he starts going too downhill. I am in the process of looking around for a heat mat, I've never needed one before as our house (my room especially) normally stays warm enough for them. But as this guy might have been refridgerated or something I need extra heat! lol The airing cupboard is nice and toasty warm so if I can fit him in there I will, if not the bathroom heater is always on, I'm about to put him in there again in a few minutes to see. Thanks for the replies. Is good to know they can go a while without eating, so I can stop worrying about that bit now lol. It's also good to know the poo is normal too. It just looked so.. gross lol. Normally snail poo makes me laugh! (so many colours ) but this was just.. eww lol. He was slightly on that little step Sarah yes, I'd put him almost on top of the tomato to try and get him out so I think he must have gone "yuck/not hungry" and rolled lol. Silly sod. And yeah I guessed he must be oldish as he is so big and everything. I wont let the bugger go yet though lol Mashed tatty? Ooooo now we're getting to the fancy stuff haha. Dad bought him his own can of beer today lol So I'm putting some of that on his food (will share some with the others late too as a treat ) Mum also reminded me we have frozen sweetcorn which shouldn't have salt in it so I'll cook some of that up later too. Hmm.. what else lol. I can't think again now! I am trying not to handle him too much, A: incase of the parasite and B: 'cause he wont know humans. He just doesn't help matters when he rolls lol. Right, I'll go and put him in the bathroom now and put some water in with him too, I always have a bowl of it with my Fulicas but they ignore it, is nice to know he might appreciate it hahaha. Thanks guys! Will post again later and tell you what happened in the bathroom.... that's a bad sentance lol.
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Post by section8angel on Sept 17, 2005 16:41:21 GMT
Right well, I took him downstairs and tried him with the beer/food mix first. There was less than a cm of his body out, and it stayed like that for ages so I moved him into the bathroom right near the heater. I went in there just now and he was out, I went back out again for something then went back in again a few mins later and he'd hidden again!!
I've now brought him back up here as I can't leave him near the heater incase anyone forgets he's there (which they could do lol he was hidden by the clothes horse) and sprays something >=/ The airing cupboard also isn't as warm as I thought it was, so are there any other ways to get him warm?
I've tried giving him a bath, putting him near the heater and spraying with warm water. I haven't got a heat mat yet.. but is there anything else? =(
I have his tank wrapped in a blanket at the moment (a very nice one at that! lol) I can't think of what else to do, would heat from a lamp work do you think? As I have a halogen lamp I point at my newt tank and it gives off quite a bit of heat. I could turn it onto his tank if you guys think it would help.
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Joram
Archachatina marginata
Posts: 34
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Post by Joram on Sept 17, 2005 16:48:10 GMT
Yes, a lamp will certainly heat it up. Especially with a blanket around the tank. Keep an eye on it though, you don't want it to be too hot.
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Post by section8angel on Sept 17, 2005 16:52:34 GMT
Righty oh. Will get him under there now. The lamp is right next to the desk so I can put him there and keep a good eye on him. Thanks
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Post by natrat84 on Sept 17, 2005 17:01:11 GMT
A heat lamp would be ok but don't let it get too warm. The best advice I can give is just leave him to it. Put fresh food in, sit him on the top then just walk away. If he is wild then he will be petrified and missing his friends. I been there with Chunk I know its hard to leave them alone but its all you can do. Keep moving him and picking him up will only make him worse. He will eat when he is ready, if he has already then thats amazing you couldn't have hoped for more. Nat
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