advice #2 - Page 2

Steph · 01-13-11, 03:44 PM

i'm going to leave him alone for another week if the problem persists i'm taking him to a vet asap

Steph · 01-13-11, 03:45 PM

thanks a lot guys !!

Steph · 01-13-11, 11:30 PM

he did it again a couple of minutes ago
followed by fluid

sorry for the sh**ty quality my blackberry curve cam sux

Ch^4 · 01-14-11, 12:14 AM

I don't want to induce panicky behavior, but to me, that does not look normal. Also, it sounds like he's defecated 4+ times in the last month, with only one meal?

After that week is up, I'd likely take him to the vet. In the meantime, I'd contact the breeder you got him from and see if any of his other snakes are exhibiting similar behavior. In my 15 years of keeping, I've never seen a dumpy that looks like that (and I've seen some pretty nasty dumps!).

Is the bedding red around the feces because of your camera? IF that is blood, you definitely want to get him to a vet.

Steph · 01-14-11, 12:27 AM

the breeder i got him from had a female that died from a Respiratory infection and supposedly wanted to re home him because he didn't have time for him since he had other snakes to take care of i bought jake for $40 dollars guy i bought him from said he ate 2 weeks before i got him so he supposedly fed him dec 15th so he says but the red looking area was the fluid which turned the aspen that color plus my phone camera sux my snake comes out of his hide to explore drinks enough water right now he's basking on top of his log..........but i'm def gonna try to get him to a vet tomorrow if i can since my bf works and i have no car to get there i kept a sample of his feces the the fluid i hope he'snot sick

pythonman · 01-14-11, 02:35 AM

Hi Steph, thats definatly more green in a stool than i was imagining, sometime snakes that have not ate/drank for a while produce a small amount of green urates, but this is all green. Indeed a vet should be consulted, but if this is your first introduction to snake keeping i would still be tempted to contact the seller,(first snakes should be fun and unproblematic) important you (as i am sure you are)remove faecal samples,and hygine for yourself and the animal is paramount.The vet may well be able to run tests on the sample in the photo.
The snake is obviously with a caring keeper, i could list many things it could be, but you are doing the right thing in contacting a vet. When you got the animal does it appear dehydrated,(green feaces are sometimes present with animals with kidney or liver problems) as you stated it drank often.
Problem is Steph, reptiles dont often show symptoms untill whatever ails it is fairly advanced.
Keep us all posted with progress Best wishes

Steph · 01-14-11, 02:55 AM

I believe if my snake would've been with the previous owner he would've died like the female snake he had.I'm really glad i got him so i can see whats wrong and get him better
and yes he drinks water every day i would catch him by his dish just gulping the water thanks so much for the advice i'm definitely getting him checked out !

pythonman · 01-14-11, 03:26 AM

Pythons can be very thirsty animals, but your chap may be drinking more than norm,i really hope its a simple case that a course of antibiotics clears up, or if the vet examines the stool under a microscope worms of some discription are found. But as you said the previous owner lost a animal to RI their husbandry techniques have to be questioned, and what has your new charge endured or suffered in the past. As said keep us posted and good luck.

Steph · 01-14-11, 03:35 AM

i sure will keep you all posted once again thank you all for the wonderful advice !

shaunyboy · 01-14-11, 09:20 AM

when storing a stool sample you need to keep it moist and in the fridge

seal it in a poly bag then put that into a plastic tub with airtight lid

get the sample to the vet asap

python man has covered most of te reasons

i hope it all turns out ok for your snake mate

cheers shaun

Steph · 01-15-11, 01:51 PM

thnx i have an appt on monday to see a vet but they want a stool sample the same day -.-

Ch^4 · 01-15-11, 01:57 PM

Keep us updated. If he doesn't defecate the day of the vet visit, hopefully you can bring the sample pictured above, provided it has been stored properly.

Good luck! Your python will be in our thoughts.

Steph · 01-20-11, 05:09 PM

so i had to reschedule since i have no car and my bf works on weekdays for him to take me i have to make an appt for the weekend but now he's looking dull and his eyes are clouding up i believe he's in the process of shedding soon

Steph · 01-20-11, 05:10 PM

and he hasnt defecated since then

**Aaron_S** · 01-20-11, 09:33 PM

I'm curious to what a vet will find in this snake. If it's a captive bred snake and the 'breeder' doesn't have any wild caught animals then I highly doubt this snake needs antibiotics. What could it possibly have if it's not an RI?

Try feeding live food after the shed. If it's the snake in your avatar try a small rat or adult mouse.