P. metallica molted. Doesn't look good...

[funnylori]

I don't know where things went wrong. I'm afraid to feed him now.

I wonder if it has something to do with what I pointed out in the photo... I only noticed it after I took the photo.

 

[Hamburglar]

I am having trouble making out what you are pointing at in the substrate... do you think it is a parasite of some kind? Certainly is strange.. I would think the T would be dead if there was a parasite like that crawling around on the outside.....

 

[NevularScorpion]

i'm not sure but i think its an internal infection. if your t looks dehydrated and not active that means it suffering from the molt problem. mine died from that kind of situation. good luck on treating her/him

 

[funnylori]

The thing is a small exo from something...

The metallica just molted, it isn't dehydrated, just a bit hungry. He has a full water dish.

 

[Hamburglar]

Maybe you can take out the thing and examine it? Maybe its something coincidental....

 

[PsychoSpider]

It looks like a small centipede molt or a mealworm molt.

 

[hamfoto]

It will probably be alright...it looks like it is the "hernia"-thingy that T's sometimes get.
I've got an adult female A. versicolor that has had one for a long time and is fine (and has molted with it twice).

Chris

 

[Kamikaze]

I hope all will be ok.
try researching on hernia or parasites. Not sure what that lump is though

 

[GailC]

The thing in the sub looks like one of those cleaner beetle larva that is always in with crickets.

 

[JayzunBoget]

The thing in the sub looks like one of those cleaner beetle larva that is always in with crickets.

If that is true, then it may be a dermastid beetle that eats decaying flesh. I would not expect it to harm a healthy T, but could possibly be attracted to an open wound, if that hernia ruptures.
If you search hernia, as kamikaze recommended, you will find alot of info and an impressive surgery.
I have seen alot of threads on hernias go by in the last year, and it seems that an unusually large percentage of them are P. metallica.
If you read this and have had a T with a hernia, could you please post what species and when? It would be cool to have an overview.
I have dealt with two T. blondis with a hernia, on separate occasions. Neither hernias were very severe and were both repaired through successive molts.
The two incidents were separated by just a few months.

 

[DrAce]

...

If you search hernia, as kamikaze recommended, you will find alot of info and an impressive surgery.
...

I don't think we know the ultimate outcome of the hernia surgery - I don't believe it's moulted since Ryan made that video... or at least I didn't see any postings to that effect.

 

[Talkenlate04]

I don't think we know the ultimate outcome of the hernia surgery - I don't believe it's moulted since Ryan made that video... or at least I didn't see any postings to that effect.

Nope she has not molted yet. I hope it happens soon though. She has eaten and seems to be doing ok. So only time will tell.

 

[desertdweller]

I have a A avic with a lump not dissimilar to your T's. I have been feeding her very slowly and so far so good. I know she is a little hungry but slow growth is better than a ruptured abdomen. I don't know if this is helping but it's the only thing I can try.

Good luck to you and your girl. Do keep us posted.

 

[patrick86]

I've got an Avicularia sp., "Bicegoi" that has a huge hernia. Had it through three successive molts. Right now she's about 2.75 inches. It's gotten bigger with each molt.

The one on the P. metallica above doesn't look too bad. I'd go easy on the food for a bit and see how it develops. Good luck to you, too nice a spider to have health issues.

 

[Stylopidae]

That shed skin is a dermestid beetle. They generally don't eat anything live, so that's not related to the lump on your T. Parasitoids tend to be pretty species specific, and considering almost all of the P. metallica in the hobby are captive bred, I really don't think that's anything to be concerned about.

Many Ts here on the boards get those lumps from time to time. They usually moult out just fine and many (at least from what I can tell) dissapear over time. Keep it well hydrated and cut down on feeding.

If it does happen to rupture, use nail polish to seal the wound. I had an A. seemani with a ruptured abdomen, used nail polish and it just moulted a month or so ago (I should get pictures of that, no?) completely fine.

 

[reverendsterlin]

maybe you'll be lucky and it will molt out of it, some do. the advise so far has been good so nothing I should add. Hernias are a pain, I should know, I just had surgery for one lol.
Rev