Have you ever had to soak a constipated ETB?

[BoidKeeper]

Well this was a job I don’t ever want to do again! While handling my Emerald today I noticed some swelling in front of his vent. After about two minutes of palpitation and examination I was convinced I had a constipated Emerald on my hands. At this point I started to sweat. Soaking a corn snake is one thing but an Emerald I thought I was screwed. I filled the tub and placed him in it, perch and all. He flipped immediately and it took allot of work to keep him in the tub, luckily I had the help of a mop handle. I got him back on his perch and he clamed down. The second he started to relax he began passing the stools. He passed about 16g in all. I took eight pics in all but I only have the room for two in my gallery. It was nerv racking. I've got his perch in my right hand and I'm snapping lics with my left. No sooner was he done he started climbing his perch to get out and I got him back in to his cage with no trouble. I’m suspecting temp as the cause of the problem.
Cheers,
Trevor
This is the 4th pic I took. My hand is at the end of that perch.
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/2894th.jpg
This is right after he finished and decided it was time to leave.
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/2898th.jpg

[Linds]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm lovely poop pics :p LOL... I can't poke too much fun though I have several of those pics myself :o

To possibly save you from a battle next time, usually when snakes are nearing a poop, they do get enlarged right around the ventral area :)

[suticat]

If your temps are constant and correct (with or without a NTD), I would be more inclined to blame either lack of exercise, or possibly dehydration long before temps. But it is always a good thing to monitor.

If I may recommend, I would start keeping a journal of feeding/defecating/shedding on him. And a good rule of thumb is for every 3 meals 1 bowel movement. By keeping records you will be able to more accurately know if he is really constipated or not. Mine go much more frequent than that, but it is a simple guide line to follow.

Try making a jungle gym of sorts out of PVC to give him weekly exercise on during the day. That will go a long way in facilitating normal GI functioning.

Check out the link I provided for you. Stan Chiras has done a great article on ETB and husbandry of them.
http://www.amazonbasin.com/article.htm

I hope this helps and was not redundant material for you.

[BoidKeeper]

Linds, while palpatating the snake it was obviouse that it was constipation when I could clearly feel what felt like marbles. And sure enough the first two stools that came out were hard as rock.

Suticat, I do use a pretty extensive record sheet already. I encluded a copy below. I'm so uptight weigh meals and stools with a digital scale. Snakes are weighed after every shed and deffication. Another friend suggested it may be a lack of exersice. The article is new to me thanks.
Thanks to both of you for the feedback.
Cheers,
Trevor

Name: Sex: Species: Acquired: D.O.B:
Date/Time F.T. Amount/Weight Temp Hot/Cool Refuse Weight Length Shed Deffi

Notes:

[Lisa]

Does not look like a fun job.