Blood smeared urate

[mercury]

I need some help. I've a year old water python, I've noticed when she urates, there's a smear of blood at the end. I havent noticed this when she poops though and am waiting on a fresh sample for the local vet who said he'll perform a faecal floatation.In the meantime, I'm really worried that this is some thing serious, does anybody have any suggestions on what this may be??

[unBOAlievable]

I had this happen with a female ball once, I could find no research on this matter so I asked Dave Barker about it. He said it has happened to him a few times as well and he did not know the cause and that it usually didn't happen for long and the problem went away.

I kept an eye on her and after a couple of weaks the problem stopped and last year the same female layed 5 fertile eggs.

Going to the vet first is always a good thing. As long as it is a smear of blood and not a pool, I would not be to worried and following up with a reptile vet for a checkup would be a good idea.
I looked back through my reptile vet books to see if I missed something, but no luck.

If your vet does find out what causes this, please update us. I would also love to know the cause.

Hope this helps a little,

[eyespy]

I know of one explanation but it doesn't cover most cases. Dehydration will cause "crystally" urates that can irritate and cause bleeding.

If your snake is soaking and/or drinking regularly and humidity levels are good I have no idea.

[mercury]

Would sexual maturity cause this at all?

[eyespy]

Not that I know of.