Nikki Mantis very ill

[Digger]

Since her feeding of one mealworm last night, poor Nikki has been regurgitating everything given to her (including the mealie). She even brings up any water she drinks. Not good. Wonder if that mealie contained a problem? Am calling in specialists from Penn and Johns Hopkins Medical Center. Medivac on standby.

 

[lancaster1313]

I am so sorry to read about her illness.

Don't give her any more food. Just water and not forced on her too much, if it is causing her to puke she will be getting weaker and more stressed the more she pukes. It can cause her to die if she is not quite ready. Around here, that goes for any vomiting mantis, no matter what the reason.

Maybe it is her time? It is not always easy.

If it is not her time: Get Well Soon Nikki. :flowers:

 

[sally]

poor Nikki mantis

 

[Mime454]

Maybe homey would help? Always seems to do wonders for my old mantises.

 

[Malakyoma]

Good luck Digger. and Good luck Nikki. Get well soon.

 

[Coneja]

Oh no... I was sad to read this. Best of luck to you both... Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Digger]

Hi Mime. I tried a small amount of honey late last night, but she puked it back. Also, this afternoon, I noticed her puke had a distinctly acrid scent - very much like vinegar. Sorry to be gross. Wonder if that has some meaning (natural causes versus poisoning).

I am so sorry to read about her illness.

Don't give her any more food. Just water and not forced on her too much, if it is causing her to puke she will be getting weaker and more stressed the more she pukes. It can cause her to die if she is not quite ready. Around here, that goes for any vomiting mantis, no matter what the reason.

Maybe it is her time? It is not always easy.

If it is not her time: Get Well Soon Nikki. :flowers:

Thanks Like. Yes, it's only been two drops of distilled water on two occasions. But she brings that back up after 5 to 10 minutes. My thought was, if this is pathological, the vomiting might clean out her gut. But you make a salient point about stress. I'll follow your advice. Dehydration is a big worry.

 

[lancaster1313]

Hi Mime. I tried a small amount of honey late last night, but she puked it back. Also, this afternoon, I noticed her puke had a distinctly acrid scent - very much like vinegar. Sorry to be gross. Wonder if that has some meaning (natural causes versus poisoning).

Thanks Like. Yes, it's only been two drops of distilled water on two occasions. But she brings that back up after 5 to 10 minutes. My thought was, if this is pathological, the vomiting might clean out her gut. But you make a salient point about stress. I'll follow your advice. Dehydration is a big worry.

A little water is very helpful, especially to see if it was the food or some illness that can be helped with water. Just don't push it if she is wretching everytime she gets some. She is an old lady and her insides may not be able to handle everything that they used to.

When was the last time she defecated?

Has she had any diarrhea?

Sometimes, I can tell if they may get better by seeing if the digestive system is moving, at all in the right direction.

 

[Digger]

Good question Like. Her poop did change consistency a day or two before this vomiting began. It was darker, softer and ill-formed (not like the normal gray pellets). This could be a systemic breakdown from natural old age. Although the puking only began after she was fed that Pet Smart mealworm yesterday evening.

 

[lancaster1313]

I have never had a problem with mealworms from the pet stores.

The sawdust is probably oat or wheat bran and is a fine food. It is what I get my mealworms in and I would add it to my mealworm food/substrate if I were to keep it around the house for any reason. If it turns to powdery tiny balls, that is frass and they are starving.

Maybe something different to eat just made Nikki's problem worse?

 

[Danny.]

Same here, never had a problem with mealworms. Must be her old age. Bummer.

 

[Plex]

I'm sorry to hear about Nikki mantis, definitely keep us updated! Just try not to stress her out too much as that can make it worse as others have said, and I wish you the best with her in the next few days... Doesn't sound good at all.

 

[Digger]

Thanks Plex. She's resting quietly on her bed at the moment. Her favorite music is playing. The Beatles.

 

[BugLover]

Hope Nikki gets better soon :flowers:

 

[Mvalenz]

Hope Nikki gets well soon.

 

[TheraphoMantodea]

Sorry to hear Hope nikki gets better soon

 

[jamurfjr]

Best wishes in these difficult times.

 

[Digger]

Thanks all. I've been reading all your comments to Nikki. It makes her rest easy. She's held down a tiny amount of water this evening, which, hopefully, is a promising sign.

 

[agent A]

Dude, shes on her way out

A healthy mantis wouldnt have such bad digestive problems

They blow their chunks out, act better for a few days, then die cause they refuse food

Seen it happen to many old females (though they typically dont vomit or eat at all)