Some pet updates, Kimba first:
Her knee surgery went very well. She now has a lot of metalwork in her leg, but she no longer has a limp. She is much happier, grumbles less, and plays even more with other dogs.
She has had to have a second surgery to remove a cyst on her shoulder that was causing her pain and was a possible infection risk. She'd had it for a while, it formed around a hair follicle, but the vet recommended removal. She now has stitches in her shoulder and has to wear a shirt to stop her scratching it. Her first post-op check is Wednesday.
Vivec is nearly five, around 550 grams (he was only 5 or 6 grams when I first got him) and had his first vet check the other week. He was very interested in the waiting room, peeping his head out of the pillowcase I transport him in and flicking his tongue at everything and everyone. He was always shy, friendly but cautious, and inquisitive as a baby, and he never lost those traits. He has been declared a beautiful, healthy, happy young snake with wonderful colours and a lovely temperament. He was seen by the vet who used to treat Dany (but was not present for her final surgery. He asked after her, that was a tough conversation), and he just stood there for a while beaming with Vehk winding his way around him. He said it was nice to see a healthy animal for a change, he normally only sees very ill snakes. Vehk is also most likely to be a boy, from his tail size and shape, but I declined an invasive check.
He has developed one dark red scale just behind his head, but the vet thinks that is just a snake version of a freckle -Dany had the odd totally black scale here and there. Vehk doesn't make black pigment, the best he can do is dark red, so it is probably just that.
Gelby is still doing her own thing. The weather here has been all over the place which has messed with her feeding something awful, but she is still getting by just fine. She's still sassy and aloof, and mostly comes out in the evening when no one is around.