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Post by incantrix on Mar 5, 2006 3:16:30 GMT
One of my snails which is quite young has a lot of new growth on its shell, about 2cm of really pale shell that's almost transparent. He's damaged it somehow though, there's a crack line running from the lip up towards the darker shell. He has been chewing at it a bit but otherwise seems ok and is eating and having his cuttlefish too. Is there anything I can do? He seems ok but he is obviously aware of it being there because he seems to be trying to break the new growth off. There's no gap, just a line.
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Post by sonicsnail on Mar 5, 2006 8:53:20 GMT
There's not much you can do. You say he's having cuttle fish and eating his food, which is great. All I can suggest is to keep an eye on him and make sure there is nothing in his enclosure that he can "catch" the soft new growth on. I have had a snail with a similar problem. He began to grow and repair the crack, only to cause more damage to the soft new growth on a piece of wood. So basically just make sure there is nothing there which he can cause more damage to his shell on e.g. wood, stones... That way he should repair his shell quickly.
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Post by incantrix on Mar 5, 2006 10:55:21 GMT
Thanks for the reply, I've moved him to a smaller tank with just food and a piece of cuttlefish on his own until he gets better.
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Post by sonicsnail on Mar 5, 2006 14:51:26 GMT
No problem,  let us know how he's doing. I'm sure he will get better soon.  |
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Post by incantrix on Mar 7, 2006 15:11:21 GMT
It's hard to tell how he is really, I just misted him and he came out straight away. When he came out though there was a LOT of liquid that came out too, just clear slightly oozy stuff. He's nibbled the opening of his shell all the way around giving it a nobbly edge that can't be very comfortable. Also one piece of shell about 1cm by 2cm has come off in a flake. I think this was the new growth as it looks very thin. He's moving very slowly in comparison to the others but he does seem as alert as normal and though he's not eating much he seems interested in his cuttlefish bone. I hope that him fixing his shell and eating cuttlefish is a good sign but the liquid really worries me.
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LisaLQ
Archachatina papyracea
Old friend (emphasis on the "old")
Posts: 2,995
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Post by LisaLQ on Mar 7, 2006 15:17:58 GMT
Is his mantle exposed? Any pics? Layla's shell was badly damaged when she came, and her mantle was exposed, she now has a few cm of new growth there, so dont worry - he'll heal soon and be fine |
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Post by incantrix on Mar 7, 2006 15:25:15 GMT
The mantle doesn't seem to be exposed, it seems to be only the outer lip of the shell that was damaged. He's burrowed himself into the earth and seems to want to sleep so I might leave him in peace for a while. When he comes out though I'll try to get a picture but my camera isn't too good. I'm really glad to hear you think he'll be ok, I'm scared to pick him up in case I hurt him.
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KathyM
Achatina tincta
Posts: 709
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Post by KathyM on Mar 7, 2006 15:37:09 GMT
I've had the same problem with Lois (Lisa's Layla's sister) - hers was quite badly damaged, and despite it growing back, it keeps flaking off. It does look a lot better today though. Like your snail, she buries a lot and this tends to coincide with her new shell growth, so fingers crossed he's building some new shell to show you right now!
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Post by incantrix on Mar 7, 2006 15:42:52 GMT
I do hope so, thanks everyone for being so helpful! |
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KathyM
Achatina tincta
Posts: 709
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Post by KathyM on Mar 8, 2006 8:58:35 GMT
Hope things are going okay for you - Lois's new growth has cracked/flaked *grrrr*! Back to square one - I've decided not to handle her until she's repaired it fully.
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Post by incantrix on Mar 8, 2006 13:15:36 GMT
It doesn't look the best to be honest. I found him asleep fully out of his shell this morning with his eyes and feelers retracted but the rest of his body including the head on the ground. I misted him and he didn't move. I'm really worried about handling him but I picked him up and put him next to some food and cuttlefish and he started moving a bit and is now eating a little. He's at a strange angle while he feeds though, sort of slumped on his side with his foot laying at one side. I'm not sure there's anymore more I can do for him other than keep him comfortable and hope he recovers. Hope your snail gets better Kathy.
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Post by pheonixx on Mar 8, 2006 16:55:27 GMT
Shells can be repaired..now bare in mind we have only used this on aquatic snails..if there is no flesh showing or even if there is this we do it if there no flesh get some marine resin we got a purple one LOL..microwave a small amount this makes it dry quicker...let it cool put a small amount on we use fingers but you could use a blunt knife or even a spoon handle...at this point I must issue a warning please do not put a big dollaping lump on as it will make the snail shell heavy and will cause him mantle collapse as he tries to lift his weight{RIP SID} we know better now..use your common and just enough to cover it..when dry carefully sand him down wont look good but does the job..if the flesh is exposed then it becomes tricky but not impossible..we use one of two things depending on availability a well washed egg shell or a piece of a snail that has departed we keep shells for such emergencys cut the shell with a modellers drill/saw kit..Daz got one for xmas very handy cut a piece larger than the repair and super glue it into position being very carefull not to get glue on the flesh..then follow the above to repair..hope this helps someone..we have repaired a few of ours and been sucessfull after the 1st loss...Linda
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Post by incantrix on Mar 8, 2006 18:38:29 GMT
Hi thanks very much for the repair advice, he slunk off into the log to hide earlier so I thought I'd leave him till tonight to have a look.
Not quite sure how to put this, I feel a bit of a fool to be honest but anyway..lifted the log up and was utterly horrified to see a blob of greyish flesh and a kind of white blob that looked like it was his insides spilling out. Was really upset and thought oh god I just knew he was going to croak..went to lift him out and realised that he was still moving and that 'he' was actually two snails locked together and well, to put it bluntly bonking under a piece of salad!
I guess he's feeling better! I've never actually seen them do that before, I looked up a picture of it and sure enough that's what they're doing! I only put him back in the main tank because I thought he might find it easier to hide and recover in there, looks like the randy little devil has other things on his mind though. Unless it's a last ditch attempt to pass on his genes I think I can stop worrying!
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pixie
Achatina immaculata
Posts: 231
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Post by pixie on Mar 8, 2006 18:45:39 GMT
rolf, the cheeky chappy! i would probly just let him get on with thighs, but keep an eye on him, especially as he is growing new growth.
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Post by pheonixx on Mar 9, 2006 7:59:09 GMT
Thats good news glad to hear he is on the mend and doing normal snailie things..while he has this damage make sure there is nothing in the tank that he can fall on to that would damage him further...Linda
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Post by incantrix on Mar 9, 2006 13:53:34 GMT
I think I found what he snagged his shell on, there was a piece of bark inside the log that had come loose. I've changed the setup, hopefully he'll be ok now - I've bedded him down in a nice cosy spot with lots of food and cuttlefish and he seems to be eating lots then sleeping lots which must be a good sign. He's moving around more normally too. I don't think he'll produce any eggs though he isn't very old.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2006 14:52:39 GMT
is he ok now? it didnt really sound like a very serious ailment...my snails damage the lips of their shells all the time.
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let us know how he's doing. I'm sure he will get better soon. 
