View Full Version : crystals in snake wee
wurzel934
05-14-13, 12:48 PM
Just noticed black and clear crystals in my cb11 ball python is this some thing i should be worried about.
Starbuck
05-14-13, 06:21 PM
hard to tell without knowing more about the snake's setup and husbandry. Can you post some information about its cage (max-min temp and humidity, how many hides, type/size of water bowl, how large is the cage, what kind of substrate, etc?)
After you have a few more (5) posts on this forum you can share pictures, that would also be really helpful.
In the mean time, i would put the snake on paper towels (NO other substrate) so you can see just how much, where, and when it is urinating, and what it looks like. I would also make sure it has fresh water (change it daily) at all times. From there on, keep a notebook next to the cage so you can track how often it is urinating/defecating, eating, etc. Things i would be worried about would be dehydration, kidney issues, or an improper diet causing protein/nitrogen imbalances (nearly impossible if you are feeding a whole-prey diet, i.e. mice or rats)... Time will tell, and getting a better idea of the urine on paper towels also.
Best of luck.
RandyRhoads
05-14-13, 07:36 PM
Maybe just uric acid crystals? The black ones, I don't know, poo covered uric acid crystals? Haha...
Yes, it is something you should be worried about if it is crystal formation. Its possible that it is something else, but crystal formation generally means there is a problem with kidney function. Might be as simple as dehydration but could be other problems too. Take a sample and get it to the vet.
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