Swollen abdomen?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 4:30 am

have adopted a very small PP hermit crab, have had for several months. Past month she could not get into her shell. We put her in ISO tank with more shells and she went to change. Watching her change I noticed that her abdomen is extremely swollen and she was lethargically walking around without a shell. I finaly was able to help her into a new shell, she is still unable to close up because her abdomen is very swollen and she is hardly moving. I could not see a molting bubble could this be an infection? If she is molting, she is not digging, is there something I should do to help her have a successful molt. I would appreciate any help you can offer.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 9:08 am

My guess (and this is borad in scope) your pp has either a bacterial infection, or most likely a parasitic infection of the digestive tract. If the intestines are swollen, it could be a blockage too. These are all just guesses. I don't know what you should try for her. Perhaps a pea would help if it is a blockage. Good luck!Gertie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:42 pm

I have a crab who has/had a deformed abdomen. It was actually shaped like a "Y". She had 2 bums. Well, I really did not notice any of the normal uropods at the end, but she changes so fast I only get a glimpse. She did molt and did fine. I tried to watch her change shells after that and could not see if she was still deformed.The swollen abdomen could have come from being in a too tight shell or some irritation. One of mine refused to change shells and then molted. After the molt he was crazy with pain, crawling up the glass, etc. because the shell was then about 10 sizes too small. Well, I tried to tell him. He changed shells and is now sane again. Just watch and wait. Try and go with your gut feeling about the crab. We really don't know that much about crabs and their problems. Let me know how things go.cyn (c: