Poorly snail (retracting)

[sophie]

Hello ;D
A teacher at school has 2 snails, one of them had died, when I went to see it, the snail came out! So it was alive. But now its gone [glow=red,2,300]TEXT[/glow] back into shell, and I meen really really really far back. Any suggestions?


thanks,
~" ***sophie***"~

SEARCHdeeply_retracted

[Correne]

Hi Sophie,

Have just seen your post about the poorly snail. Have been looking around for you and it could be a couple of things. Maybe he's cold or maybe he's sealed himself in - plenty of advise here: www.geocities.com/pitseleh74/snailillness

This is a great place to go with concerns about your snails' health.

Hope he feels better soon!

Corrie

[Paul]

Hi,

Don't know what this could be really. I have heard of snails dying in this manner. How old are they and have they kept them successfully previously?

Only things to check are the usual things, moisture, heat etc.

Also, check for parasites, like mites. There is a type that can deteriorate the snails health even with more than 6. 60 can be fatal. Mites may be causing it distress so it is reclining.

Some of these mites are absolutely miniscule and shy away from light so check very carefully. The dangerous ones are concentrated around the air-hole.

But, even non-fatal soil mites may get too much for them.

Worth checking if all the usual seems to be in order.

paul

[fiona ager]

i had a snail with paracites once and it kept sealing itself up, sticking his shell in warm water always got him out of his shell.

I had to do it every other day just to make sure he/she fed. Eventually my snail gave up before i could sort out the problem.

but theres no harm in coaxing them out of there shell with warm water to give them the extra chance by making sure they feed and drink to stop them from drying out and dying inside their shell.

It gives you time to find and solve the problem and the snail extra time to recuperate.
The longer they stay inside their shell the less chance they have of surviving.
hope that helps
fi

[Correne]

Hi,

Was just wondering if the snail had recovered yet, Sophie. I'm sure we would all like to know how he/she is doing.

Thanks,
Correne

[bookitten]

Well, hes still poorly and in his shell, but does come out every few days. The teacher told me that busy [the snail] has a reasonable size shell but his body is very thin and small, so busy's shell is growing, but he isnt. Also, he dosent eat ANYTHING. lizzie, the other healthy larger snail, eats plenty [but neither of them like carrot]. The teacher is very worried, and so am I.


sophie

[bookitten]

Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention that when I took the snail home, he came out quite a few times, so Im wondering if it is mites. I'll go back to see the snails a week and a bit from now [its half time ya see]. Thanks for everyones help, and any other help would once again be greatly appreciated.


sophie

[Correne]

Oh, am so sorry to hear the snail is still unwell. I am not an expert but feel that someone will give you advise, soon.

Have you tried feeding the snail chicken mash, common plantain or dandelions? Also, sweetcorn, unsalted? I personally believe that fruit yoghurt is not the way to go.

Please keep us advised of the situation.

Thanks, Sophie.

Correne

[Paul]

I have a snail in the same situation, or at least very similar.

It isn't eating and it is surprising how quick it has lost weight. It also is retracted very deep into its shell. Deeper than I have seen before. I may try and get a picture, may be of benefit to people.

Today, I moved it to a hospital tank and thoroughly scrubbed the other, bathed all the snails and sterilised the soil because I think it is not mite related. There are no mites on it, I've even looked in the breathing hole. I actually thought it had died today and I was waiting for a smell to develop. It wasn't reacting to stimuli, most snails, flinch when you touch them. His body is less robust looking.

Still can't get him eating and I've tried every food I can think of. He seems interested then doesn't eat and just turns away from it.

I must admit, I keep trying to wake him up, I have the feeling that while he is out and about he won't die, when he's retracted I feel like he's given up. But I think it is viral or something.

Keep your fingers crossed for him. He's sat next to me now while I try and tempt him and he is out of his shell but looks weak . Tomorrow I'm gonna attempt to get him sunlight and fresh air. And more baths.

paul

[Paul]

I've been observing this snail for a few hours now and it seems to me that it wants to eat but when it tries it springs back as if it tastes horrible or it is painful. Its mouth looks like my other snails, I compared them. How can you tell if the radula is broken? If it is slowly starving to death because it can't eat I need to know so I can do something about it.

help!
paul

[Correne]

This sounds awful, Paul. Poor little thing.

I don't know what to suggest, of course!!! Mushy corn maybe - you recommended that to me once and they all like it. The corn is soft. Perhaps thinly sliced cucumber as none of mine can resist it. Hope this doesn't sound stupid.

The bath is great. I have been worried about Dent for two days. She seems to have a thicker fleshy rim between the soft body and the shell. Haven't said anything to anyone. Well, of course, yesterday she laid some eggs, although I don't know if the fleshy rim is associated with laying. However, each time I have bathed her she comes out.

Have you asked Fredrik or CS about your snail?

Keep us posted, please.

Correne

[bookitten]

That does sound alot like my snail [or the teachers snail]. she thought it had died too!


sophie

[Correne]

Update - spoke to Fredrick this morning as Dent seemed to have retracted much more since last night, and Arthur seemed to have started showing a similar thicker rim. Arthur came right out after a rinse with warm water. Dent however, would not come out!

Fredrik suggeted they may not be warm enough. I moved the tank to the conservatory doorway. Yes, I know! Extremes/sudden changes in temperature should be avoided. Anyway, Arthur sat on Danny's hand and really perked up. He went into the tank and went for a walk. Meantime, I sat for an hour+ in a very hot conservatory, holding Dent. Then I gave her a warm bath. Now she is eating in the tank. So, certainly in this case, a warmer position for the tank was all that was required, as far as I can tell. Thank you, Stud Muffin for being there for us again. ;D The kids have cheered up, too. They were so sad and worried.

Am extremely concerned about your snail, Paul. Let us know how he is. I know he's in the best hands! Given that you have eliminated mites I wonder what the other possible causes of this condition could be.

Correne

[Correne]

Dent seemed to perk up for a couple of hours, she came out of the shell and she ate some food. No walks around the tank, though. She burrowed into the substrate. I checked her and she's retracted again. Am very concerned. On top of all of this have been offline as we have been having thunderstorms and I might have to switch off again. Bummer of a day!

Please help. Thanks everyone. Sorry to mither.

[Paul]

Hi,

Just an update, he's no better, he did come out for a little while on his own but then retracted again. I've tried loads of soft foods, like mashed corn, chicken mash, hemp, sunflower seeds, cucumber.... The list goes on, coz I had the same thought. Hasn't touched any of it.

It isn't temperature coz my room is quite warm and he was in a heated tank.

I'm stumped! If he doesn't eat soon it's not looking good.

paul

[Correne]

OK - I hope I didn't offend you with my suggestions. I knew you would be doing everything you could. Poor bugger, I hope he eats soon. Maybe his 'mouth' is giving him discomfort as you previously mentioned. Is it true that these guys can survive without food for a few weeks? Dent started to be unwell on Tuesday. She laid eggs yesterday. Is there any possible connection? Wish I cou;d help - feel so futile.

Correne

[Paul]

you didn't offend me at all. All suggestions are welcome

paul

[Paul]

One last thing, don't ever be worried about offended me, its ideas not egos that matter.

And, if I am offended, well....screw me then

paul

[Correne]

You are the least offensive person I know!

How is your snail today? Is there any improvement? I do hope so.


Love Correne and Darra

[Paul]

well, I'm not sure to be honest. He still hasn't eaten anything . But last night, he decided to stick on the side of the tank all night and he has been out a few times. I'm taking that as good sign, at least he wasn't retracted. The trouble is, today he has been.

I'm just praying that whatever it is, he recovers before he runs out of energy so he can eat.

One thing I have noticed, and this seems a little bizarre. I could swear his shell is changing. The yellow stripes are more yellow and the shell is lighter in general, especially when compared to his sibling.

paul

[Correne]

Bizarre! Just hope he recovers. Dent was almost totally retracted today. Am so concerned. Have tried heat, baths - everything.

[Emma]

Im kinda worried about one of my tigers.. about 20 minutes ago i noticed he had retreated very deep into his shell, with no seal. hes been fine, eating, no sign of parasites etc. im worried hes dead. I saw him out earlier today at food time, and he seemed normal, i bathed him yesterday and he seemed normal then too... i really dont get whats wrong. im leaving him in the tank now and hoping hes not dead. if he is i guess the smell test will soon be an option as their tank is heated..
any ideas on this?

[Correne]

It was lovely to chat to you earlier, Emma, even though our converstaion was a sad one. Please let us know how your wee fella is doing.

Love Correne

[Paul]

Firstly, an update on my poorly snail. I noticed 2 patches of eaten lettuce this morning. Not a lot as a certain Mr Daniels would say, but some, so that is encouraging. He is not retracting as far or as often and is sitting there with his head just peeping out. I'm taking this as a good sign, when I picked him up, his body is less flacid and I could feel him grazing my finger.

After speaking to Emma I have compiled my thoughts so far for my case in particular....

Mites/Parasites

Definitely no visible mites like I have seen before. I have checked thoroughly a number of times even inside the breathing hole where dangerous ones can live. The remaining mites on my snails have disappeared, I do believe that the Hypoaspis predatory mites worked right down to the last mite. I saw them crawling all over the snails so they will have picked them off every nook and cranny.

There is a chance it could be something too small to see or internal. As he hasn't eaten much at all I haven't been able to inspect any stools.

Mouth problems

Very possibly, as I said in an earlier post he seemed to find it distasteful or painful to try and eat. If he couldn't eat, that would explain why he was in such a bad state and perhaps explain why he has suddently ate a few mouthfuls. It is quite possible that if he had hurt his mouth or got an infection it is being healed and he can begin to eat again.

Infection or Virus

This could explain the lack of appetite and general deteriation of its health. If the snails survives this could be supported because the snails immune system which is simple but highly effective has beaten it.

Chemical/Pesticide Damage

I wondered if it was possible that some of the food was contaminated and it didn't come off after washing. Fredrik told me about someone who lost a lot of snails because of this. Because we don't know the symptoms of her snails before death or how quick death occurred we can't be sure. Fredrik, if you know or can find out, let us know.

Genetic weakness

The snail in question is a pet shop fulica so it is very probable that it is overly inbred. Sarah, we talked about this a while back and you mentioned having a number die because of this (well, possibly). How did they die? Was it overnight or did they deteriorate?

So....

Aside from Mouth problems and Genetic weaknesss it baffles me why he is the only one to suffer. He was in a tank with a lot of other snails and they are all fine. Granted, I did clean and sterilise everything and bathed the snails but you would imagine one would catch it, or in the case of pesticides for it to have manifested itself before now.

Personally, I'm leaning to Mouth problems/infection or a viral condition. He was well fed and grew at a rate of knots beforehand so I am hoping he has the energy to last until he has beaten it.

One last thing, before he seem to improve (I hope I haven't spoken to soon) I actually tried giving him some Green Tea extract. He wasn't happy about it actually and I washed it off immediately but he could well have ingested some. It has a reasonably strong anti-viral agent and it is eaten by African snails. Perhaps it helped a little.

paul

[bookitten]

The snail a teacher had [ well, one of them ] that was poorly, has now died
I went to see it today and it had gone so far back in its shell that you couldnt see him at all. And I sniffed it to check and nearly threw up [!].


RIP
BUSY, LISSACHATINA FULICA
Busy was a friendly snail, loved by many children. Forever in Peace my friend, forever in Peace.


sophie