T. blondi in need of help

[Flying]

I'm about to go and pickup a T. blondi that is in a very bad shape. According to the owner it's been like this since its last molt. The abdomen is shriveled and the legs are curly leaning in-backwards. My guess is that the T is in an advanced state of dehydration and therefor won't eat.

I have prepared a large cricket keeper by putting moist paper towels in it. Just that, nothing else because from what I've seen the spider won't eat, dig, hide whatever. I touched the spider (was warned that is was agressive) and while the spider wanted to put on a defensive pose, it just didn't have the power to do so.

So anyone have any other ideas?

 

[cheetah13mo]

At this point the only thing I would do is get something big enough the T will fit in and will hold water, put some water in it and prop one end up so that all the water is on one side. Maybe at a 10 or 15 degree angle. That way you can place the T's head, touching the water for a drink and still keep the abdomen dry so it can breath. I'd leave it in that position for a few hours. If it's capable of drinking, It'll do it then and it might recovor. Anything beyond that is out of your conroll. Good luck.

 

[Flying]

Pics:

I put the spider like that at first but I was afraid it couldn't breathe so I put it next to, but now it has crawled into that position on its own. You can say that it is one thirsty spider!

I hope to pull him through but I've got a bad feeling about it

I was my hands with product after handling it because who knows what infestations could also be housed in the spider. And it is in no way coming near my collection till it is healthy!

 

[cheetah13mo]

The abdomen doesn't look very shriveled to me but it's obvious it's not in good shape. You've given it the best chance to pull through it could have. Good job and good luck with her hopeful recovory. Keep us updated.

 

[treeweta]

that spider looks more like a pink foot goliath Theraphosa apophysis than a T blondi, the colour, thinner legs, more fuzzy appearance suggest this.

please dont turn this into a blondi/apophysis war, all im saying is this is very similar to my apophysis and that animal is very distinct from any blondi i know.

it could simly be a very old spider. Flying, is this a very large spider?? the first batch of apophysis I knew of (personally) in europe was a hatching from november 1995,maybe this is one of those now 12 years old!!

 

[Flying]

that spider looks more like a pink foot goliath Theraphosa apophysis than a T blondi, the colour, thinner legs, more fuzzy appearance suggest this.

please dont turn this into a blondi/apophysis war, all im saying is this is very similar to my apophysis and that animal is very distinct from any blondi i know.

Tbh I don't really care what spider it is, I just want the spider to get well soon

It isn't a very old spider either. And it's not that big, maybe 8 to 9" legspan. Trust me it's not the age.

 

[treeweta]

Tbh I don't really care what spider it is, I just want the spider to get well soon

It isn't a very old spider either. And it's not that big, maybe 8 to 9" legspan. Trust me it's not the age.

flying, i understand your point not caring about what spider it is, the priority is getting it well of course. do you know how old the spider is?

treeweta

 

[Flying]

flying, i understand your point not caring about what spider it is, the priority is getting it well of course. do you know how old the spider is?

treeweta

I do not know, but I do do know that this isn't of age.

 

[treeweta]

good luck, keep us updated on the spiders progress.

 

[Flying]

Well the spider is done drinking and is now just sitting there. Not sure if I should just leave it alone now, or do something else. Don't think it will eat yet.

 

[cheetah13mo]

I'd leave it alone and give it some rest. Try to feed it later tonight but don't fight it. If it doesn't eat, let it be until tomorrow and try again.

 

[Flying]

Still no real improvements. The legs are still curled up and the T isn't really lively

 

[evilkarot]

That poor thing. I hope it makes it!!!! Good luck with everything. I'm sure you're doing everything you possibly can for it.

 

[Talkenlate04]

How exactly do you know its not because of age Just because they can get bigger does not always mean they will. 8-9" is a big girl. The way she accosted the water bowl makes me think she was just really dehydrated. Hopefully access to water all the time will help her spring back to life.

 

[kitty_b]

poor darling. she may just be weak, and needs time for hydration to strengthen her again.

given her weak state, i'd recommend any food offered to her is pre-killed (and at least partially cut open, to provide a more appetizing meal).

at this point, all you can do is provide her with a warm, comfortable place to recover in. i've got my fingers crossed for you. nothing is more heartbreaking than watching one of your beloved critters struggle. *hug*

 

[The_Thunderer]

She is, indeed, a big girl. I'm pulling for ya! Hope all gets well with her soon.

 

[Flying]

She is doing much better. Much more lively. The legs are still curled up but according to the owner this is due to a bad molt, which I can imagine. The T molting but can't get out of it, and then helped out of it but heavily dehydrated. The T then probably couldn't harden her legs due to the dehydration.

She is now sitting on moist peat moss with a water dish constantly filled up and some cork plate to hide underneath it. Time to try feeding, going to have to go to the store to buy some.

 

[RottweilExpress]

Sounds great, good job man!

 

[Flying]

You won't believe it but the blondi molted! I went to check on him in the dark room and as soon as I picked up the cricket keeper I saw movement, the kind of quick movement. Not normal for the state she was in, and then I saw the shed skin. The legs seemed to be normal again

I haven't had a really good look since I think she was still hardening, so I put the cricket keeper back in the dark as soon as I could. Will check again tomorrow.

 

[Steven Valys]

Congratulations! Don't forget the pics!