Ball Python Constipated?

[hollycadle]

Originally Posted by Teal

What I've read from others is that a warm soak and a bit of massage can help with constipation. Is his water bowl big enough that he could curl up in it if he desired? When was the last time he ate, and has he pooed since then?

Yeah we've been bathing him in warmer water and have been giving him small massages after or during his bath. And his bowl is big enough for him to curl up into it, he also ate last saturday, I don't really want to feed him until he's done a decent poo as I don't want it to compact up more, but if he hasn't I was thinking of waiting till wednesday to feed him maybe, and the last time he pooed was about a week ago, and I know that's fine but he's been straining every time I see him try to go and it becomes red just inside his vent and something popped out once from him straining so bad, plus the area before his vent bulges like he has something to pass through so it's obvious he needs to go but can't. I'm thinking of taking him to the vets if it carries on much longer, but I just don't like the thought of him being roughed about too much and prefer trying more natural ways to get him to go that him being given something.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by hollycadle

Yeah we've been bathing him in warmer water and have been giving him small massages after or during his bath. And his bowl is big enough for him to curl up into it, he also ate last saturday, I don't really want to feed him until he's done a decent poo as I don't want it to compact up more, but if he hasn't I was thinking of waiting till wednesday to feed him maybe, and the last time he pooed was about a week ago, and I know that's fine but he's been straining every time I see him try to go and it becomes red just inside his vent and something popped out once from him straining so bad, plus the area before his vent bulges like he has something to pass through so it's obvious he needs to go but can't. I'm thinking of taking him to the vets if it carries on much longer, but I just don't like the thought of him being roughed about too much and prefer trying more natural ways to get him to go that him being given something.

You should take him to the vet if it's as red as you say it is and he's "straining".

Pics would help.

To be honest, I have many ball pythons and most don't go on a weekly basis so I would normally say not to worry and he will go when he needs to.

[hollycadle]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

You should take him to the vet if it's as red as you say it is and he's "straining".

Pics would help.

To be honest, I have many ball pythons and most don't go on a weekly basis so I would normally say not to worry and he will go when he needs to.

It doesn't seem too serious yet, and I'm going to wait until he sheds next to see if he's gotten better and been able to go as I'm going to do the warm baths and massage until then. I know they don't go all the time and I wouldn't be concerned that he went only a week ago if I knew that he wasn't needing to go again. I know when he tries to go to because he does this certain movement, and having been watching him more closely lately he's been doing the same movement only nothing coming from it. He should be coming into shed soon so hopefully he'll go then like he usually does as he does one massive one then as well, but if he doesn't go by then, then I'm going to worry I think and take him to the vets.

Also, I don't know how to post photos on this, I'm kinda new on here and don't really know how to do things other than post and reply.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by hollycadle

It doesn't seem too serious yet, and I'm going to wait until he sheds next to see if he's gotten better and been able to go as I'm going to do the warm baths and massage until then. I know they don't go all the time and I wouldn't be concerned that he went only a week ago if I knew that he wasn't needing to go again. I know when he tries to go to because he does this certain movement, and having been watching him more closely lately he's been doing the same movement only nothing coming from it. He should be coming into shed soon so hopefully he'll go then like he usually does as he does one massive one then as well, but if he doesn't go by then, then I'm going to worry I think and take him to the vets.

Also, I don't know how to post photos on this, I'm kinda new on here and don't really know how to do things other than post and reply.

I wouldn't wait for the vet. How do you know it's not internally serious? If it's as bad as you describe it, I would certainly consider taking him to a vet. It could be a serious blockage that may lead to some serious damage or possibly death.

[hollycadle]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I wouldn't wait for the vet. How do you know it's not internally serious? If it's as bad as you describe it, I would certainly consider taking him to a vet. It could be a serious blockage that may lead to some serious damage or possibly death.

Well he's only gone just a week ago, and plus he's not got much blocking him up right this moment, I'm going to try a few home theories first considering I'm just a 17 with no money as well (Yes I know this crap about why buy a pet if you can't afford to take it to the vets, but the thing is I didn't buy the little guy-birthday money being used here- thinking he'd have to go to the vets so soon). Plus why take him to the vets straight away and unnecessarily stress him out when home remedies can actually work? Many professional sites with people with their own experiences that I've found, have said how their snakes have faired better being treated at home, than going through the stress of vets and that, and still achieving the same outcome. I know it may sound bad not taking him to the vets straight away, and believe me if I had to money the spare I would, but when a simple free way of doing it at home can work just as well as a vet pumping him full of stuff then I'm going to try that first.

[Cmwells90]

Originally Posted by hollycadle

Well he's only gone just a week ago, and plus he's not got much blocking him up right this moment, I'm going to try a few home theories first considering I'm just a 17 with no money as well (Yes I know this crap about why buy a pet if you can't afford to take it to the vets, but the thing is I didn't buy the little guy-birthday money being used here- thinking he'd have to go to the vets so soon). Plus why take him to the vets straight away and unnecessarily stress him out when home remedies can actually work? Many professional sites with people with their own experiences that I've found, have said how their snakes have faired better being treated at home, than going through the stress of vets and that, and still achieving the same outcome. I know it may sound bad not taking him to the vets straight away, and believe me if I had to money the spare I would, but when a simple free way of doing it at home can work just as well as a vet pumping him full of stuff then I'm going to try that first.

I don't disagree with your decision, however think about this. Are you actually qualified to provide a correct diagnosis? It could be a simple constipation, it could be nothing and you're worried about something normal, it could be a parasite causing obstructed bowels, it could be a lot of things. Also these "Home remedies", have they been tested by actual professionals who have degrees or just some person at home who tried something crazy and it fixed their issue (which they may have also thought there was an issue when there really wasn't.) Is it worth risking your snake's life? The "remedy" could do more harm than good, or it could be something life threatening and while you're trying to fix it, it could get worse and you'll lose your snake. These are the options I run in my head whenever I make a health decision for anything, pets or children. Just think about the long run, not the right now, is all I'm saying.

Edit: Also remember, you came here with an idea, not a determined issue, looking for advice from people with more expirence. That was a great step, but don't get upset if we think the final decision is a little lacking in a resolution, we're just telling you what's worked best for us.

[hollycadle]

Originally Posted by Cmwells90

I don't disagree with your decision, however think about this. Are you actually qualified to provide a correct diagnosis? It could be a simple constipation, it could be nothing and you're worried about something normal, it could be a parasite causing obstructed bowels, it could be a lot of things. Also these "Home remedies", have they been tested by actual professionals who have degrees or just some person at home who tried something crazy and it fixed their issue (which they may have also thought there was an issue when there really wasn't.) Is it worth risking your snake's life? The "remedy" could do more harm than good, or it could be something life threatening and while you're trying to fix it, it could get worse and you'll lose your snake. These are the options I run in my head whenever I make a health decision for anything, pets or children. Just think about the long run, not the right now, is all I'm saying.

Edit: Also remember, you came here with an idea, not a determined issue, looking for advice from people with more expirence. That was a great step, but don't get upset if we think the final decision is a little lacking in a resolution, we're just telling you what's worked best for us.

Turns out it was constipation as after a warm soak every day and a massage he finally went after we gave him a longer massage and soak. I know I should have taken him to the vets and what you're saying is correct, but all the signs pointed to constipation online, and these were sites where people who bred ball pythons as a profession, plus the ways they described seemed like they'd work, and I'm lucky they did. I'm quite stubborn when I put my mind to something, and I know I came across as quite defensive, and I was, sorry, it's just I can't afford vets right now, in the future I will be as I'm going to put a pot aside his tank and fill it every now and then for a vet bill if it were to come along in the future. Thanks for your input though, again, sorry if I seemed to be getting rude!

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by hollycadle

Well he's only gone just a week ago, and plus he's not got much blocking him up right this moment, I'm going to try a few home theories first considering I'm just a 17 with no money as well (Yes I know this crap about why buy a pet if you can't afford to take it to the vets, but the thing is I didn't buy the little guy-birthday money being used here- thinking he'd have to go to the vets so soon). Plus why take him to the vets straight away and unnecessarily stress him out when home remedies can actually work? Many professional sites with people with their own experiences that I've found, have said how their snakes have faired better being treated at home, than going through the stress of vets and that, and still achieving the same outcome. I know it may sound bad not taking him to the vets straight away, and believe me if I had to money the spare I would, but when a simple free way of doing it at home can work just as well as a vet pumping him full of stuff then I'm going to try that first.

CMWells90 outlined it well the thoughts that go into some responses.

I wanted to add to it though. It's great that you're thinking about it and want to use a simple home remedy to save your snake the stress but CM made a good point. What experience do you possess that it's nothing?

Would it not concern you that if it's "not got much blocking him up" but yet he's blocked up (your diagnosis) to take him to the vet sooner rather than later? If it's a small amount doing the damage as you say I would suspect there's more at play and it could be serious.

I understand the financial situation and it's your animal to do as you see best for him/her. You state "professional sites" would these be forums or "breeders"?

You mention home remedies could work. You've stated that you've used a couple methods (soaks and massage) to no avail. What makes you think they all of a sudden will if, again, it's as bad as you state?

I'm not trying to be rude or harsh with you. I would hope you see the point of view of others who merely want the best for the animal. I'm sure you do as well.

I make my statements not for you alone but for those who may encounter similar problems and to avoid the vet because they read something worked online.