benny

A Day in the Life of Gangus Long...

Linda & Gangus enjoying the sun on my deck.

Gangus is out and about exploring his new home.

This is Gangus' home, a large 4' x 6' tank with both heat and UVA/UVB lamps... an oasis of comfort for this majestic creature, as humidity is also kept at 75%.

Here's a complete shot of Gangus' home. I retrieved this nice Mahogony wood desk as I was driving Benny home. It was on the side of the road just three blocks from his previous 'parents' house with a sign that read; "Free Desk - You Take!" ...so, I did!

Gangus is once again exploring and getting used to his territory, and his new home.

Click any picture to view it full size.

Saturday, July 2nd, 2005
Today, I adopted Benny (I have renamed him "Gangus Long") from very loving and caring parents in the North Arlington area. I met with Benny and his parents the previous Wednesday. Benny is about six years old, 45 pounds, and about 9.5 feet long. He is one gorgeous Albino Burmese Python. I was able to modify his home with a nice bathing tub, with lamps emitting UVA/UVB, and heat, all to suit the needs of a Burmese Python.

Tuesday, July 5th, 2005
Benny was received with a minor wheezing of the respiratory tract. I will have Benny checked out by my Veterinarian, who specialized in Herpetological medicine, Dr Steven Stahl of the Stahl Exotic Animal Veterinary Services group in Vienna, VA. (Here's their website: SEAVS). Benny's personal doctor will be Dr. Lisa M. Carr, who also specializes in Herp medicine.

Though, I have maintained a humidity level of 75%, trying to keep his nasal passage clean Benny's respiratory issues have remained the same. His vet visit will be at 7:30pm on Thursday, July 7th. They will be checking for nasal/respiratory infection and general breathing difficulties.

Since Benny's arrival, he has been very good natured, with no 'culture shock', and little attitude change at all. He seems very content, and delighted to be in his new place. He also has many other friends here including my other snakes, and one Green Iguana. Benny is free to roam throughout the house as he pleases, as long as I'm home.

Benny's bunkmates who reside at my house:

Lucille Ball (a.k.a. Pretzyl) - Ball Python
Arsenio Ball - Ball Python
Julius Squeezer - Ball Python
Dick Van Strike - Albino Texas Black Rat Snake
William Snakespeare - Dumeril's Boa
Adolf Hisser - Central American Red Tail Boa
Gza Gza GaBoa - California Kingsnake
Wesley Snakes - California Kingsnake
Rocki Balboa - Central American Red Tail Boa
David Boa - South African Bull Snake
Humphrey Boagart - Hoggs Island Red Tail Boa
David Hisselhoff - Central American Red Tail Boa
Danny Boaduce - Central American Red Tail Boa
Saddam Hissein - Central American Red Tail Boa
Charleton Hisston - Peruvian Red Tail Boa

**AND**
Iggiana Jones - Green Iguana

Thursday, July 7th, 2005
Benny just returned from his visit with Dr. Lisa Carr, of the Stahl Exotic Animal Veterinary Group. He checked in at 24.6 pounds, suffering from upper respiratory problems, unusually small plugged nasal passages, a minor case of mouth rot, and eye scales from an unsuccessful shed. Despite these ailments, Benny's previous parents did a fine job in caring for him with frequent vet visits, as these ailments are simply quite common to the Burmese Python. The vet visit resulted in a heafty bill, as antibiotics can be quite costly. I was instructed by Dr. Carr to inject Benny with one dose daily of two different antibiotics; Amakacin & Fortaz for a period of ten consecutive days. I was also instructed to use Silver Sulfadiazine Cream to treat his mouth rot, use a small dose of Artificial Tears Ointment for Benny's eye caps, and to apply a drop of saline solution on each nasal passage to keep his nose clear and healthy.

This may sound quite tramatizing for Benny, but he's taking it quite well. He'll be feeling better in no time, with a clean bill of health.

Benny did mention to me this evening that he would soon like to see his friends, K & T! We hope to see you soon folks!

Sunday, July 10th, 2005
Today is day three after the Benny's vet visit. Benny is doing remarkably well, with phenominal progress. He is no longer wheezing, or keeping his jaws ajar to breath thru his mouth. His mouth rot is gone, though I'll need to continue treatment. I've been regularly lightly applying cream to his nasal cavities to keep them moist, clear, and free from dead shed. I'll be giving him two antibiotic injections again this evening at 8:30pm tonight.

Benny has had free reign of my house most of the time. Again, I'd like to thank 'K', Benny's mommy, for previously 'potty training' him. I think I have this figured out. Benny has gone twice at my place, and both times, just as his mom had suggested. I'd pet him a few times, and he'd go on queue. I even kept a towel under him as not to mess up my carpet. He's truly a wonderful member of our family (Now, my challenge is to train him to use, and flush the toilet).

Overall, Benny now seems happier, more active as his health gets better, and he improves.

Take care... more updates as Gangus' health progresses!

Gangus Long's Diary

Sunday, July 3rd, 2005