Scales Tails Wings and Things

PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR PET ADVICE HERE. ANY OTHER SUBJECT IS FINE. All pet advice questions should be directed to my advice blog. (http://askscalestails.tumblr.com/) Questions about MY pets are fine. Thank you! She/her. I am someone with a passion for animals and wildlife, this blog centers around those subjects and the animals in my care. I specialize in freshwater fish and reptiles, though! My name is Victoria but you can call me Vicky or Scales. I have worked at a local pet store for over 10 years and cared for a wide variety of pets. I consider my main interests freshwater fish and reptiles. I have also been involved in animal rescue, adoption, and fostering for many years though I myself am not a rescue. I am also a moderator on the fishcommunity blog (http://fishcommunity.tumblr.com/), FeatheredFeds (http://feathered-feds.tumblr.com/) pet care/myth busting blog, and occasionally write for HomeAquaria (http://homeaquaria.com/). I also run a pet advice blog, askscalestails (http://askscalestails.tumblr.com/) Personal blog (http://scales-talks.tumblr.com/)

[scalestails]

An update. Tw animal death talk.

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Sasha died the day after her vet visit. (5/27/22)

I called the vet immediately, they rushed me in and performed a necropsy without charge. The results will come in 4-8 weeks.

In her initial visit, they took aspirate from one of her lumps to send out for testing, to make sure it wasn't anything serious. When I went in for the necropsy the next day they said the preliminary results showed a malignancy.

I don't know why the visit pushed her over the edge like that. But it seems she had cancer. I will hopefully know more when her results get back.

I don't have anything left. I don't have any of my animals. They're all gone and it feels like my heart has been ripped out of my chest.

I will not be posting on this blog for a while. Tumblr brings back lots of painful memories of pets past and I can't deal with that right now.

I haven't been able to bring myself to pick up her ashes.

Sasha (2006-2022)

[scalestails]

Ghost mantis update! Female is the lighter one. Gotta get these guys together soon to breed.

[scalestails]

i didn't realize that sasha was 15! lovely bb!

Yes! I've had her since she was very small. She's been with me through all sorts of things in my life. She's a stable thing in my life.

[scalestails]

hi! i was wondering how you've been doing lately. and how all your little goobers are doing, including the worlds smallest blunt (affectionate).

The Blunts are growing in number. I saw about 5 that first day, now there are over 12...

I am doing well, just took Sasha for a checkup which I posted about. All good enough news! Work has kept me very busy, but has also provided me financial stability unlike any I've ever had before. My mental health is also a lot better, thanks in no small part to being more financially stable.

[scalestails]

Just got Sasha back from the vet.

Went for a checkup and a few other things. She has a small lump near her tail- and I wanted to see if she still has follicles or if they're developing into full blown eggs.

Vet says she's a bit skinny, took a fecal (which Sasha apparently provided by surprise lol) and she tested negative for parasites. They poked the lump and sent out a sample for testing, but it looks like a harmless cyst so far.

The most interesting thing was her getting an ultrasound! Apparently everyone loved Sasha and there were a bunch of students present while they did it. They also did a few other organs while they were there just to teach but didn't charge me, which was nice. Apparently her heart is healthy!

The follicles do look like they'll develop into eggs which she'll lay. She's never layed in all her 15 years so... of course I'm nervous. I'm going to see if she'll eat once a week because I'd like to up her weight but I'm sure she won't, or at least at some point she'll stop eating. That's normal for laying females.

The poor thing was so tired when I picked her up! She's taking some much needed rest after all that. I'll keep everyone updated as things develop.

[scalestails]

Anyone else scroll tumblr mobile and randomly hear a lecture about diagnostic radiology play? Like... not related to any ads shown just... as I'm scrolling it starts playing. Just the audio.

@staff

[scalestails]

!!! ALERT ALERT !!!

I FOUND BABY STICK BUGS

MY STICK BUG HAD BABIES

[scalestails]

[scalestails]

!!! ALERT ALERT !!!

I FOUND BABY STICK BUGS

MY STICK BUG HAD BABIES

[scalestails]

Mmmmm chick day.

[scalestails]

your koi post reminds me of how my mom used to have koi and i ended up like, hyper-interested in them. in this economy i don't think i'll ever be able to own a pretty pond with koi but gosh they're so gorgeous and interesting to me.

I feel you! I love seeing peoples ponds but know I'll probably never have koi.

[scalestails]

Gorgeous koi at the botanical garden.

[scalestails]

A collection of the odd plants I saw.

[scalestails]

PLANTS

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Orchids!!!

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More pics from the botanical garden!

[shadyufo]

Couple more shots of those nature-made terrarium bottles I found the other day!

That little jar was broken just right to create a little round window to peek in at the beautiful moss inside.

[scalestails]

How long did you have to wait in line to see the corpse flower? (I'm assuming it's the one near where I live that's blooming right now 😅)

An hour and a half! They have extended hours but the viewing ends at 7. It might still be in bloom tomorrow though so you may still catch it!