Abdoninal bloating/not eating problem

[BIGT FROM F.B.]

Hey all,

my 5 foot Albino Rat snake hasn't eaten in 3 months, not due to not trying to eat, and bloating in the abdominal area. He is soft and squeezable like a balloon and I can run my hand down him to release some of the air. Is apple cider vinegar okay to give to a snake. I'm trying to avoid a vet visit if possible. He tried to eat a rat last night. Once he gets the head completely in his mouth, he lets go and backs away. Anyone ever experience this?

[sharthun]

Darn Bigt keep us posted.

[Aaron_S]

Hey all,

my 5 foot Albino Rat snake hasn't eaten in 3 months, not due to not trying to eat, and bloating in the abdominal area. He is soft and squeezable like a balloon and I can run my hand down him to release some of the air. Is apple cider vinegar okay to give to a snake. I'm trying to avoid a vet visit if possible. He tried to eat a rat last night. Once he gets the head completely in his mouth, he lets go and backs away. Anyone ever experience this?

My non-medical background suggests is a gastro issue and a vet visit definitely seems needed. My guess is maybe an ultrasound.

[EL Ziggy]

Sorry to hear that BigT. I hope hes ok bud.

[prairiepanda]

I'm curious why you want to give him apple cider vinegar? Has someone elsewhere suggested a diagnosis for which that might be a treatment? With the info you've given here, I don't think anyone could make a diagnosis with enough certainty to warrant such a dangerous treatment attempt. I would strongly suggest a vet visit for further testing to at least pinpoint the cause of these symptoms, even if you want to attempt treatment at home. I agree it sounds like a gastro problem; perhaps a meal decaying in the digestive tract. Could be something else entirely though. But I'm not a vet.

[PsychoSnake]

See a herp vet. They can figure out the proper treatment faster and better than an online forum. Plus they have diagnostic tools. My rosy just got done with her treatment. She was fed a barium injected mouse and they took xrays to figure out why she hasn't been pooping like she should. The barium shows up on the xray and acts as a laxative. Barium can also be given through a tube.

[BIGT FROM F.B.]

I'm curious why you want to give him apple cider vinegar? Has someone elsewhere suggested a diagnosis for which that might be a treatment? With the info you've given here, I don't think anyone could make a diagnosis with enough certainty to warrant such a dangerous treatment attempt. I would strongly suggest a vet visit for further testing to at least pinpoint the cause of these symptoms, even if you want to attempt treatment at home. I agree it sounds like a gastro problem; perhaps a meal decaying in the digestive tract. Could be something else entirely though. But I'm not a vet.


I have a neighbor that swears by it. Says it can cure any stomach ailment that any species of creature (and us) can have. Just didn't know if anyone had ever tried it. Ended up going to the vet. She said it was the beginning of a minor resp. problem and gave him an antibiotic shot. As far as the bloating, she couldn't find any obstruction and didn't seem that concerned. She believed that when he started to eat again it would work its way out. We will see.

[Albert Clark]

I have a neighbor that swears by it. Says it can cure any stomach ailment that any species of creature (and us) can have. Just didn't know if anyone had ever tried it. Ended up going to the vet. She said it was the beginning of a minor resp. problem and gave him an antibiotic shot. As far as the bloating, she couldn't find any obstruction and didn't seem that concerned. She believed that when he started to eat again it would work its way out. We will see.

I understand your frustration but apple cider vinegar is not the way to go, imo. Firstly , a herp vet is always best! If you want to try something it should be mineral oil! Very easy on the digesdtive tract and more of a substance that will benefit the animal. Its specific for the intestinal tract also. In case his condition is remotely related to a impacted colon. Good luck and stay in peace and not pieces ;)

[PsychoSnake]

If you want to try something it should be mineral oil! Very easy on the digesdtive tract and more of a substance that will benefit the animal. Its specific for the intestinal tract also. In case his condition is remotely related to a impacted colon. Good luck and stay in peace and not pieces ;)
Fyi, I just talked to my vet about coating a mouse with mineral oil and feeding it to my constipated snake, but he did not advise it. He said it was more commonly done in the past but the practice is used infrequently these days (mostly in horses). He said it actually disrupts the good bacteria flora of the digestive track. He much preferred the barium method. :\

[BIGT FROM F.B.]

Good news. Yesterday, he ate 3 large mice after an antibiotic shot on Thursday. Seems like he's on the mend.

[EL Ziggy]

Great news Big T. Glad he's doing better.

[sharthun]

Great news Big T. Glad he's doing better.

^^^^^^^^^+1

[Chris72]

Awesome news!

Did you get a culture / diagnosis?

I was reading this and remembered your issue:

Flagellated Protozoans of the Gastrointestinal Tract (http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Flagellated-Protozoans-of-the-Gastrointestinal-Tract/)

The name made me chuckle, but the bloating sounds very uncomfortable.

:/

Glad it's all working out. Glad you went to the Vet! BigT.. +1

:)

C&H

[Aaron_S]

Good news. Yesterday, he ate 3 large mice after an antibiotic shot on Thursday. Seems like he's on the mend.

Good news indeed.

Hopefully the antibiotic injected helps the snake long term. Quite often vets use a broad antibiotic like a large fishing net in hopes of catching what's causing the issue.
In the mean time they take a culture of the bacteria and test to see what would work best. (Like using a particular fishing line/lure to catch a specific fish) They then continue with the same antibiotic because it will do the job or switch them.

If the issue comes back ensure this is done so as to not having to keep coming back. If the vet won't do this procedure (it's quite easy) then find another vet.

[Albert Clark]

Fyi, I just talked to my vet about coating a mouse with mineral oil and feeding it to my constipated snake, but he did not advise it. He said it was more commonly done in the past but the practice is used infrequently these days (mostly in horses). He said it actually disrupts the good bacteria flora of the digestive track. He much preferred the barium method. :\

Great news, thanks for the update but you never "coat" the prey item with mineral oil. The dose is a very small, specific one. Coating would certainly be out of the equation and way too much. Any time a medication is administered to a animal then it should be followed up with acidophilus or probiotics to restore the good bacteria in the intestines. The barium is more invasive and more stressful to the animal. :cool:

[Albert Clark]

Good news. Yesterday, he ate 3 large mice after an antibiotic shot on Thursday. Seems like he's on the mend.

BIGT, glad to hear that it wasn't to serious. Appetite returned and that's a good thing. Cool. :D

[shaunyboy]

Fyi, I just talked to my vet about coating a mouse with mineral oil and feeding it to my constipated snake, but he did not advise it. He said it was more commonly done in the past but the practice is used infrequently these days (mostly in horses). He said it actually disrupts the good bacteria flora of the digestive track. He much preferred the barium method. :\

how experienced is your vet regards snakes ?

re using mineral oil or milk of magnesium
you INJECT the prey with mineral oil or milk of magnesium for constipation,(NOT coat the prey)

re dose
1ml per kilo of body weight (snake)

it's referred to as mouse/rat lax and works great on constipated snakes

once the prey breaks down in the stomach,the oil or magnesium gets released

there are plenty very experienced keepers who have included this treatment in their books/literature

imo it's not an outdated practice

it does what it's meant to do,with no issues for the snake


cheers shaun