PDA

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...

jarich
05-16-13, 10:17 AM
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.