Help with impaction, please

[boina]

My prized AF G. iheringi has poop stuck on her butt:



Now I know she has pooped only 2-3 weeks ago because I remember I had to clean her water bowl . Still, this doesn't look good and I want to get it off. Nevertheless, this is a 6" defensive spider with still very healthy reactions...

Question: How would I go about cleaning her butt? How can I best fixate her without harming her and preferably without ending up getting bitten or a face full of hairs? Does anyone have any creative ideas?

 

[TownesVanZandt]

Maybe you can pinch grab her with one hand and clean it off with a cotton bud with the other?

 

[KezyGLA]

Pinch grab and soft scrub with cotton wool or qtip

 

[boina]

pinch grab

Pinch grab

I've never pinch grabbed any spider! . I'm not sure I can do that. I mean I know how to theoretically do it, but I'm not sure how to do it without getting bitten.

 

[spookyvibes]

Okay, I know everybody scoffs at the use of ICUs, but perhaps it would be helpful to use an ICU type setup in this situation? Small container, paper towels (they don’t need to be damp), add some holes around the sides that are big enough to fit a soft paint brush or q-tip so you can try to dislodge the poop without actually coming in contact with the tarantula. This might be a dumb idea, I don’t know, this is the only way I can think of that most likely doesn’t run the risk of you becoming the very first person on here to fill out a bite report for G. iheringi. Crossing my fingers that she pulls through for you

 

[lostbrane]

If those two don't work, then maybe packing it as if you were going to ship it might (tube of paper towels or tissues with small cylindrical opening in center). That way the spider can't really move and hopefully you would have easier access to her backside...

 

[Theneil]

i have never tried it (and hope i never have to) but i think Carbon dioxide is supposed to work as an anesthetic. i can't say for sure but i think TKG had instructions.

 

[Greasylake]

I would say pinch grab as well. It's a Grammastola so even if worse comes to worse and you lose you grip on her a bite won't put you out of commission.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

I would say pinch grab as well. It's a Grammastola so even if worse comes to worse and you lose you grip on her a bite won't put you out of commission.

While I do agree with the 'pinch grab', her issue remains: besides, what if tomorrow (let's hope not) the spider is a 'baboon', or a 'pokie'?

@boina Cora, I would try with a syringe (without pinch grab, or else), trying to 'spraying' gently in that butt-area a bit of (not too cold, not hot) water, like a sort of stupid bizarre enema. Wouldn't harm, I think

 

[Teal]

If those two don't work, then maybe packing it as if you were going to ship it might (tube of paper towels or tissues with small cylindrical opening in center). That way the spider can't really move and hopefully you would have easier access to her backside...

This is the best idea, in my opinion... pack a vial or tube with paper towels and get her in face first so her bum is facing out. Then you should have less issue!

Good luck!

 

[boina]

Ok, it's done.

I tried putting her in a packing vial, but it wasn't tight enough and she kept moving her butt away. Finally I got her out and onto a towel and then wrapped the towel around her, spider burrito way... I probably should have taken a pic but unfortunately I was too occupied to think of it. Anyway I managed to hold her in the towel, get her butt exposed and wipe the poop off.

I hope that was the extend of the problem. She seems to be doing fine now, but is still hoding her spinnerets away from her body.

 

[lostbrane]

That reminds me of this...

 

[cold blood]

This is the best idea, in my opinion... pack a vial or tube with paper towels and get her in face first so her bum is facing out. Then you should have less issue!

Good luck!

if you have packed ts, then you know how fast they can turn around in a packed vial....personally i dont think this is a very good solution.

Ok, it's done.

I tried putting her in a packing vial, but it wasn't tight enough and she kept moving her butt away. Finally I got her out and onto a towel and then wrapped the towel around her, spider burrito way... I probably should have taken a pic but unfortunately I was too accupied to think of it. Anyway I managed to hold her in the towel, get her butt exposed and wipe the poop off.

I hope that was the extend of the problem. She seems to be doing fine now, but is still hoding her spinnerets away from her body.

i like the way you ultimately handled it...smart.....i deal with seagulls the same way...lol. I deal with most wild animals the same way.

 

[Teal]

if you have packed ts, then you know how fast they can turn around in a packed vial....personally i dont think this is a very good solution.

I would have made the area a lot smaller for this T than what I would for packing... I wouldn't have given this T any room. Like tubing a venomous snake.

 

[Whitelightning777]

Lowering the temperature to 55 it maybe just 60 degrees can slow down many tarantulas.

 

[viper69]

Ok, it's done.

I tried putting her in a packing vial, but it wasn't tight enough and she kept moving her butt away. Finally I got her out and onto a towel and then wrapped the towel around her, spider burrito way... I probably should have taken a pic but unfortunately I was too occupied to think of it. Anyway I managed to hold her in the towel, get her butt exposed and wipe the poop off.

I hope that was the extend of the problem. She seems to be doing fine now, but is still hoding her spinnerets away from her body.

Impressive task for this species. A video of this would have been perfect.

 

[Pernicious]

Takes alot oh heart n hope to pull off most scary moments in my experience! U deserve a pat on the back n probably a hug!

 

[Crone Returns]

Yeah that was great. Pinch grabs aren't as easy as they look. I tried to practice it on my AF B. albopilosum when she was only 3.5". Also she was my first T so I was just getting comfortable around her. Anyhow, she successfully wriggled out of the pinch almost immediately. She just did wiggle/flips lol .
Glad it's settled.