Boa not "going"? [Archive] - sSNAKESs : Reptile Forum

sassamagoo

06-15-09, 08:11 AM

Hi everyone. A month ago I bought a baby Boa and I'm concerned that he doesn't seem to have gone to the bathroom at all since I've had him.

The first week we had him, we had a reptile wood substrate, but since then, we have gone with paper towel as this was recommended to us to make it easier to see and get used to spotting defecation and urination spots. In the 3 weeks we've had paper towel, I've seen nothing. So I'm a bit worried. He does have a water bowl that I wash out completely and refill every 2-3 days and I check the water level in it daily. His humidity level has been pretty consistent around 55% (I was told 50%-60% was best for him). He also has eaten since he came to us. The first few weeks he wouldn't, but after around 2 1/2 weeks he ate the first time (pinkie mouse) and a little over a week later, he ate another.

So, I've cleaned his cage out completely 4 times (even though I saw nothing to clean out) just to be safe and I'm now concerned that I haven't seen anything. No poops, no wet spots or yellow spots that I can tell. Am I missing something? Should I be concerned? Or is this another one of those "snakes do that sometimes" things. How should I handle this?

Thanks in advance for any advice!
Sass

Kmef07

06-15-09, 08:51 AM

First snakes don't have wet spots there pee is hard and is usually white with a little hard yellow in it. and then they poo every once in a while sometimes mine will only go once every couple weeks. the poo is brown and looks like a turd so that is pretty easy to spot. but chances are the snake went and then you cleaned it out with the wood and then look for it to go in the next week or so. if it is bound up usually it will swell towards the back. I would keep the humidity between 65% and 70% though and then raise it close to 100% during shed. My Brazilian Rainbow Boa went the other day and i just found it plastered to the underside of a hide when i cleaned it. so sometimes it is hard to find. they dont' really poop that big either until they get bigger.

what kind of boa do you have and post some pics.

By the way hope this helps

Will0W783

06-15-09, 09:59 AM

I agree with Kyle that you might have missed it cleaning up the bark. It should be easy to find on paper towel, but how often do you feed him/her? Have you fed since you changed over to the paper towels? They will only poop once for every food item consumed, usually a week to two weeks after eating, depending on the metabolism.

sassamagoo

06-15-09, 10:52 AM

We only used the bark for about a week. Its been about 3 weeks since we have been using paper towels. Its been about 2 weeks since the first time he ate, and about 4 days since the second time. He didn't eat until after we switched to paper towels. I have not looked in his hide yet.

I guess I'm just wondering how often to expect pee and poo from him.

And his pic is up on my profile, but I know its hard to see. I'm not exactly sure how to upload the pics from my computer to post them.

Sorry, I'm new to the forum thing. Hopefully when my bf gets home he can help me post a pic.

Sass

sassamagoo

06-15-09, 11:08 AM

Lets see if this works. Gonna try to post pic.

http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu175/sassamagoo/snake2.jpg

Will0W783

06-15-09, 05:32 PM

Awww, he's a cutie. If he just ate 4 days ago, you can expect it to take a few more before he might poop. Also, you might try feeding a smaller prey item more often, like once a week, to see if you can get him more "regular" but I wouldn't feed more than three meals between poops (this is the ETB rule, but I think it would apply to any snake?). I wouldn't panic yet, since you may have missed a poop in the bark. Start a feed/shed/poop chart on him and keep track of everything. If he still hasn't gone in another 4 days or so, try soaking him in warm (85 degree) water for 10-15 minutes, and handle him frequently. Those things can get them "moving". Good luck; stay calm and you and your boa will get through this. :)

Aaron_S

06-15-09, 07:41 PM

sassamagoo

06-15-09, 07:49 PM

Ummmmm..... don't know my snake lingo.... Whats a hopper? And how often should I be handling him? Once a day? That's what I've been aiming for so far. And for how long a period at a time? Right now I usually do 15-30 minutes each time I take him out.

Thanks again for all the advice, it's been helpful already.

Aaron_S

06-15-09, 07:51 PM

That's a fine handling schedule except it's not an entirely established eater yet. You need to ensure this snake eats on a regular basis before you handle it. That's probably was a reason why it didn't eat very much.

A hopper is a juvenile mouse. Not quite an adult but a fair bit larger than a fuzzy or pinky.

citysnakes

06-15-09, 10:47 PM

First snakes don't have wet spots there pee is hard and is usually white with a little hard yellow in it.

snakes do expel liquid along with urates and defecations.

I wouldn't feed more than three meals between poops (this is the ETB rule, but I think it would apply to any snake?).

this is a rule applied to ETBs due to the common incidence of regurgitation syndrome within this species. other species will have different feeding "rules".

sassamagoo, if your snake is healthy and eats regularily then there is nothing to worry about. it will go when its ready. i would bump up the prey size from pinkies as mentioned and i bet you'll have your poo in no time.

siz

06-16-09, 06:47 AM

this is a rule applied to ETBs due to the common incidence of regurgitation syndrome within this species. other species will have different feeding "rules".
What is the rule for BPs? I have a friend who purchased a hatchling BP (never eaten, shed, or pooped) and they have fed it several times and it hasn't gone yet. I think they have had it for just over a month.

sassamagoo

06-16-09, 07:33 PM

Just an update: I went to the place I got my pinkies from and they only had pinkies, fuzzies, then right up to full size mice. So I got him a fuzzy, as it is significantly larger than the pinkies, but I didn't want to overload his system with a full size mouse. I'm going to look into another place nearby to find if they have hoppers at all, but I didn't want to wait to long to feed him either, as it has been almost a week since the last pinkie. So I fed him a fuzzy tonight and he ate it happily. I can see the bulge in his tummy now :) Let me know if that was okay to do.

Plus, I bought another fuzzy for next week in case I haven't solved the hopper situation by then.

Aaron_S

06-16-09, 08:03 PM

If there's a bulge then stick with these fuzzies for the next feeding or two.

It's ok that your snake goes more than a week without food. Snakes can live quite some time without any.

citysnakes

06-16-09, 10:14 PM

Jess, theres not really a strict rule with bps as with ETBs and GTPs that commonly may experience regurgitation or prolapse issues. if the bp is healthy and eating then dont worry about it and continue to feed it weekly. hold back if the snake looks constipated or too backed up.

siz

06-17-09, 08:13 AM

Thanks for the clarification Julian :)

Will0W783

06-17-09, 02:17 PM

It's hard to tell from the pic, but how long is he, and how thick? My 3-foot BCI gets a f/t rat weanling (about the size of an adult mouse) every week, and he never refuses.

sassamagoo

06-17-09, 07:35 PM

I haven't technically measured him, but he's a baby. Only about 2 feet, maybe, and only as thick as my thumb. The fuzzy I gave him yesterday was enough to give him a small bulge.

I did find out the other local pet store does normally carry hoppers, although they are out till the next shipment next week. So I can try a hopper soon.

Once again, I'm new to snake ownership, so I am still amazed at how big an animal they can fit in their mouths, lol.

Will0W783

06-18-09, 07:47 AM

OK, well if he's only as thick as a thumb, then it sounds like the fuzzies/hoppers would be fine. Just as Aaron said, look for a slight bulge when you feed him. If you see a bulge, stick with that size; if there's a huge bulge and/or he has trouble getting it down, go smaller; if there's no bulge, go a bit larger.

sassamagoo

06-18-09, 12:43 PM

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Hopefully he'll "go" soon with more substantial food in him. I have to work out of town this weekend, so my bf will be keeping an eye on him. I'll update after the weekend if he's done any business.

You guys are great!

gonesnakee

06-18-09, 06:10 PM

I scanned thru most posts & see some of the things have already been pointed out but I will throw my 2 cents in all round.
First Boas like that should never even be fed pinkies LMAO unless of course they are large rat pinkies which is what you should get it on ASAP & off of mice all together.
I would be feeding that snake either hopper or weanling mice or a couple large rat Ps at a time or a small rat fuzzy & do so weekly.
As for going it hasn;t had enough to go & pinkies come out as "pee" pretty much anyways as snake poop is pretty much just hair afterall ;)
Snakes do "pee" & it is liquid as stated along with solid urates etc. as well. Anyone that thinks different has obviously never seen a snake do so before LOL
The Woma I traded today took a big pee as soon as it hit its new enclosure & there was PLENTY of liquid & it was a wet spot ;)
Should see when the 8ft Pythons go, they leave a BIG wet spot ;) Mark

sassamagoo

06-21-09, 12:44 PM

Well, I came back from my weekend gigs to find my baby has finally gone pee! Yay! I don't see an actual poo yet, but did find the whitish/yellow stuff that looks like chicken poo. So even though there's no poo yet I know his insides are working at least.

Plus, when I got up today, he seemed more alert and was actually out of his hide with his head up and looking at me. So I took him out for some tlc and he seems more curious and relaxed and.... this might sound wierd, but almost affectionate. I know he's a snake not a dog, but he wasn't tense and he kept sniffing my face and even kind of rubbing his head on my cheek some.

Makes me think he's feeling better, got some decent food in him, went "potty", feeling happier/more comfortable as whole I hope.

So there's the update. Thanks for all the advice everyone!
Sass

Chu'Wuti

06-21-09, 02:31 PM

I'm glad you recognize the difference between a snake and a dog in emotional capacity, Sass! You'd be surprised at how many people don't and insist that their snakes love them! Good luck moving him on up to the proper food--Mark gave you great info on that. And welcome to the forum.

Will0W783

06-22-09, 09:06 AM

I'm glad to hear the boa is doing better. Keep him on bigger food and best of luck!

sassamagoo

06-24-09, 07:34 PM

Well everyone, I fed my boa another fuzzy yesterday and he swallowed it SIDEWAYS! I think that proves thoroughly that he is ready for something bigger. Lol.

So I went out looking for hoppers or small mice, and still, neither of my local pet stores had that size or expected to have them very soon. So we bought "medium mice". They seem to be about as thick around as his thickest part of his body so they should be okay I'm hoping. They didn't look too big to me (especially after the way he ate that fuzzy from the middle), and as he has seemed more alert and relaxed the last week or so, I don't think it would shock his system too much.

Anyways, let me know if that doesn't sound reasonable. I'm just pleased with how much more settled and relaxed Bling has been lately, so I'm feeling pretty good about it, but I don't want to screw anything up.

Thanks again for all the help everyone, I can definitely see the difference in my snake from taking all your advice!

gonesnakee

06-24-09, 07:49 PM

Prey the smae girth as the thickest girth of the snake is perfectIn the case of Boids upto 1.5 times the thickest girth even. Thye can take meals even double their girth if they had too. I prefer to stick with smaller prey & huge meals are not a good thing IMHO Mark

Will0W783

06-25-09, 08:05 AM

Sounds like you found a good-sized prey for him. If you can get to a reptile show at all, or go online, you might want to get f/t rat weanlings for him. They are about the size of mice, but it will eliminate the problem of switching him later on. I'm not exactly sure about RTBs but I know some snakes can get "addicted" to mice and refuse rats later on, and then it's a pain to have to feed a large snake 4-5 mice at a time, plus one prey item= 1 poop, so instead of a larger poop, you're cleaning up tons of small ones.

sassamagoo

06-30-09, 09:03 PM

Here's a final update: Bling has "gone" again, and it was a bigger size, almost exactly a week after the last one, 5 days after eating. Tuesday is feeding day for him right now, so we gave him one of the new medium mice tonight. He took it and got it down no problem and actually did a strike on his prey for the first time. He has a nice bulge, but it doesn't seem to be too big a bulge.

So I guess the point is, he is eating well and now beginning to poo regularly, so I'm very relieved. Plus I've finally gotten his cage to a regular temp and humidity without having to mess with stuff to maintain it. He seems to be doing well and being more aware and relaxed.

Thanks again to all for the advice! This forum has been a great help and support.

Will0W783

07-01-09, 07:47 AM

So glad to hear Bling is doing well and that his bowels are moving now. Just keep up the good work!

Bo@Boy

07-17-09, 06:39 AM

The snake needs something in it's system before it can pass it. You need to up the intake to at least a single hopper mouse per week. A pinky mouse won't cut it. It can probably take an adult but go with a hopper to not shock the system with a large meal since it hasn't had,well virtually anything. Once you put a good sized meal into the snake, it will use the other end.

Sorry to cut in. I have not read the full thread but I might be able to help. My male boa BlackOut was the same way. He didn't defecate for 6 weeks when I got him. I was feeding one small mouse a week because I wanted to let him acclimate. He was eating like a trash compactor but would not eliminate waste! I took him to the vet worried that he could possibly be impacted. The vet told me to continue feeding every 7 days so I did. He didn't defecate for another two weeks and out of desperation I decided to feed him a rat pup to see what would happen. Sure enough he took the rat pup and 5 days later he laid an incredible heap of turd!!!! The reptile shop where I buy my feeders at told me that small boas tend to retain waste for long periods, it is not rare. They also told me that when too small of a prey item is offered the tend to absorb almost the entire prey to build muscle and bone. Now BlackOut is pooping regularly once every 14 days. My female that is exactly 2 months today poops every 14 days too and she eats 2 fuzzies a week. This last Wednesday she took a plump hopper. By the way, keep that humidity up. Mist once daily it will help. A good sign to tell when they will poop is when they soak. Hope that helps.

gonesnakee

07-17-09, 12:47 PM

Don;t know if I mentioned it in this thread or not before but guess what snake crap is made up of Boys & Girls? Pretty much nothing but hair. Pull one apart sometime when its dry & you will see what I mean.
Thus a Boid being fed small prey items with little or no hair does not have "waste" to pass & as stated in the above post most all prey is absorbed/used.
Its not uncommon for a baby Boid to go a couple months before dropping a deuce.
If it was impacted it would appear very bloated.
Usually a steady diet & exercise will keep it regular once it is primed. Mark
edit - just scanned the thread quickly again. Snakes don't pee LMAO ya RIGHT! If you don't know what you are talking about maybe you should leave it upto those that do ;)

sassamagoo

08-03-09, 08:18 PM

So its been awhile now and my boa has stopped going again. Been about a month now. He is still eating regularly and moving back and forth between his hot and cool hides and climbing some. Temps have been consistent (with hot and cold sides obviously) and humidity around 55% still. He had a good, clean shed and still seems curious and active, but this whole lack of poo is concerning me a bit again. He is eating medium mice now, weekly, with good appetite.

I know Mark mentioned in the last post that "its not uncommon for a baby boid to a go a couple months before dropping a duece". So how common is it? Should I be concerned about impaction at all yet?

I started giving him a 10-15 min soak every 2-3 days to try to get things moving. Is there anything else I should do? Or just not worry? He does look thicker towards the back end, but not severely. He seems mostly fine, I guess I just wanted to check up on it, make sure I don't have an issue on my hands.

Thanks in advance!

Sass

gonesnakee

08-03-09, 08:42 PM

I'd say you have nothing to worry about unless you are feeding it where it could ingest things that would impact it, Mark

sassamagoo

08-04-09, 08:15 AM

Well I have to laugh, cuz after I posted last night about being concerned about Bling not going again, I checked in his cage this morning and discovered a HUGE duece, lol. The thing was as big or bigger than a whole mouse! Looked like a whole nother animal in the cage. Cracked me up.

Anyways, thanks for easing my mind and he's all good!

Sass