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Putkonen
Mar 23, 2016 4:38:25 GMT
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Post by etana on Mar 23, 2016 4:38:25 GMT
Putkonen, my rescue fulica from the winter, stopped eating some time ago. Right then I had a difficult time with my health myself, but we both pulled through those days; Putkonen only barely, he was retracted so deep I first thought his shell was actually empty. Somehow he still got partly out and sucked in some water.
I put him into his original tank that is now well heated and has the room mates Kalie, Mauno and Maija. Surprisingly, he hasn't retracted again. He sleeps a lot, his shell against the heat mat, and then wanders around the ceiling. He's still not eating but now he pooped out a lot of slime.
If he goes, I know I gave him a great few months with lots of friends and perhaps snaily romance too, very eventful compared to how life was for him earlier.
I'll be posting.
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Putkonen
Mar 23, 2016 10:26:58 GMT
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Post by etana on Mar 23, 2016 10:26:58 GMT
Spoke too soon, he's retracting again. Not as deep though but still very deep. Poor guy.
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Post by Zorst on Mar 23, 2016 17:10:19 GMT
Ahh hell I'm really sorry to hear about this Etana, I know that your doing your very best for him but as Ive experienced myself in the past sometimes we cant do enough in our own eyes to help them.
I hope that he does manage to pull through all this but if he doesn't you have def given him some really good months he wouldn't have had so keep that to mind.
Fingers crossed he will pull through and get better.
Zorst
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Post by jolovessnailies on Mar 23, 2016 23:01:11 GMT
Oh Etana love, I am so very sorry to hear about this. He has had a wonderful time with you and that is the thought you have to hang onto. He will be in my prayers tonight as you will be and I hope so much that he gets better hunni. Thank you telling us and please do keep us informed, we are all here for you.
Lots of love Jo xx
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Post by etana on Mar 24, 2016 7:37:59 GMT
He seems a tiny bit better, maybe. He pooped out more slime. After that I saw he paid attention to a carrot piece, but seemed to not have the strength to rasp, so I took him out and offered him some very watery crushed banana. He actually had a little bit of it. I took (and attached here) a pic of his happy little face, it truly looks like he was having his first meal in ages. I relate - I had all my three remaining wisdom teeth removed this past Monday and I will look like that too when I can eat actual food again. He ate very little for a snail his size, but still it's something. I returned him to the tank, near the heat mat, hoping his gut will slowly start to function again, whatever the problem is. It's always a little surprising to find yourself wishing your snail would poop, but that's how it sometimes is. Attachments:
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Post by jolovessnailies on Mar 24, 2016 21:59:17 GMT
You are a wonderful snaily mum Etana love and you just may have clinched it, taking him out and feeding him that banana. His little face is gorgeous and I do so hope he gets better very soon. Thank you very much for the updates. When my bunny or guinea pigs are unwell, it is a relief to see poops there too because it indicates a healthy gut. Everything crossed for him love, you are both in my prayers.
Hugs Jo xx
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Putkonen
Mar 24, 2016 22:09:21 GMT
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Post by etana on Mar 24, 2016 22:09:21 GMT
Thank you Jo. I too hope he'll get better, but rescue snails sometimes have strange problems. I'm just glad I made it possible for him to meet other snails. I'll never forget how within a few minutes of being put in the big tank he joined in a failing orgy, hahah. Must have been quite an experience, even though it failed as snaily orgies almost always do.
Today he slept the whole day after having that tiny bit of banana, and I was happy to see how he once again retracted a little less than he did yesterday. Still abnormally deep, though - but he also woke up on his own just a little bit ago and he doesn't look very dehydrated anymore. I will give him more soft foods tomorrow morning if he still won't rasp, and I'm still waiting eagerly for that first real poop.
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Post by jolovessnailies on Mar 25, 2016 21:55:08 GMT
You are so very welcome Etana love, It is the same with any rescued animal, we have had problems in the past when an animal we have given a home to has a bad experience and of course, they can't tell us. I am glad he has eaten a little and has had a long sleep, that is what we all need if we are poorly. He was in my prayers last night love and he will be again tonight, as will you. Thanks for the updates, I hope the little love is better soon which will also bring you much relief.
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by etana on Mar 27, 2016 15:35:07 GMT
I think he pooped in the bath a little bit. Also this morning he was on my hand, and ate a tiny bit of minced meat and sweet pepper that I had crushed in between my fingers and mixed with water on my palm. I felt his little radula (raspy tongue) working against my skin, and saw him swallow the food as it causes movement in the forehead area if you look carefully. This is important, because sometimes ill snails just hide food under the foot instead of eating it. He still shrinks a bit in between very long sleeps, so I have to keep an eye on him, move him to water for drinks, and make sure I see him eat little bits of food. All this balanced with him getting lots of rest is kind of guesswork, but I try anyway. He retracts less than 5mm now when sleeping, so it seems he is getting better bit by bit
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Post by jolovessnailies on Mar 27, 2016 21:16:45 GMT
Thanks for the update love and it sounds as if he is slowly getting better. If he has eaten pooped, that is really a good sign. I bet their little tongues feel lovely, I have yet to have that pleasure. You are doing so well with him love and I am sure he knows you are trying to help him. Thank you so much for the updates, lots of loving and healing vibes are on their way.
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by etana on Mar 28, 2016 7:42:12 GMT
Ah Jo, you will feel the tongue if you put a bit of soft food on your hand when you're holding a snail. It's a lot like a miniature kitten licking you. The snail will also learn that your hand means yummy stuff, and trust you more. I hope he knows I'm trying to help him. He's been so good to handle though, and the way he ate on my hand was so great to see, even if it was just a little bit of food. Funnily enough yesterday he had a translucent poop with a yellow round end hanging from his shell, it looked a lot like an eye stalk (I checked, everyone's eyes were ok). Maybe that really is what you found the other day?
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Post by jolovessnailies on Mar 28, 2016 20:58:04 GMT
Oh Etana love, I think I will try that with Sidney, I bet it is a lovely feeling having a snaily bond with you like that. I am sure he knows you are trying to help him, I think they are far smarter than many people give them credit for and he realises that you are trying to make him better. Oh right, maybe it was Etana hun, I am still so new to this and have a lot to learn. I am glad all yours had their eye stalks, I have checked all of mine and they are definitely OK.
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by etana on Mar 29, 2016 20:34:44 GMT
Glad to hear about everyone's eye stalks being ok, Jo. From what I understand, Sidney trusts you so much already that a bit of hand feeding should go well indeed. Let us know if you try it! Today the tank of Putkonen & co is a mess as both Mauno and Maija are digging tunnels. Someone has also sat in the calcium and then snailed up the glass wall. Oh well.
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Post by jolovessnailies on Mar 29, 2016 21:24:45 GMT
Thanks Etana love. I am not sure if I told you but when a friend came for lunch I took Sidney out to say hello. He was so well behaved, came out to say hello like a good mannered snailie and it was lovely having him on my hand. Yes I will try that with him, I am not sure what his favourite food is but he is always the first the food bowl so I think he will be pleased with whatever I choose LOL!! Oh Snaily mess, I have just accepted it now. It is great fun to mess up the tank after it has had its daily wet and dry wipe but no one admits to it. Hugs Jo xx
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Putkonen
Mar 31, 2016 5:05:29 GMT
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Post by etana on Mar 31, 2016 5:05:29 GMT
Yes you mentioned that, it's really great that he has so little fear in him. He truly knows he's safe with you. Lol yes, snails make it look like it's necessary to make messy trails and poop on newly washed walls and decorations, not primarily fun. I think you're right and they just hide they love it, hahaha. Putkonen was showing snaily grumpiness yesterday! That's actually nice, for so long he'd had so few facial expressions, he was too weak to make them I suppose. Good Putkonen, show some sass, lol! I hope he continues to improve.
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