Is this normal?! Cali Kingsnake ...Pooping Issue

snakesarecute · 03-05-14, 09:02 PM

Hey guys!

I've had my cali kingsnake for about 2? years now with no problems.
Lately, she hasn't been having full poops. Just...little drops and splatters everywhere...and it's strange.

But the weirdest part is, a part of her insides kinda...pop out when this happens?Now I've never really watched her defecate, or any other kingsnake poop for that matter (I tried googling, couldn't find anything yet!) but this seems incredibly strange to me. Her behaviour, looks and everything are completely the same as she's always been. Active, alert, bright eyed and cute as ever minus her prolapsing bum.

Out in Winnipeg, Manitoba we don't have experienced reptile vets, the last few times I went for my gecko they sent me home with a "I'm not sure" (after x'rays, medications, stool samples, etc). We mostly have cat/dog/bunny vets.
I am willing to take Parabola to the vet if this isn't normal, but I'm just wondering...do any of you have an idea of whats going on?

Also, she is in a 20gallon long tank, (she's quite small), two hides, UTH, non heating lamp on top, and a overtank radiant heat panel so her temps are 78-82 on the one end, and 93 on the warmer end. Coco husk? is her substrate, and she is currently eating medium/small mice.

Will post pictures in a seperate post (it's not letting me?)

Thanks guys!!

snakesarecute · 03-06-14, 02:53 AM

I have attatched two photos of what's happening, to this post
Thanks again

Lankyrob · 03-06-14, 04:20 AM

Vet needed in my opinion. Looks like a prolapse, needs to be kept moist. Put the snake on moist paper towels and dont let the prolapse dry.

Starbuck · 03-06-14, 05:14 AM

I agree with Lankyrob if it doesnt fix itself after she poops. Prolapse are relatively easy to fix, but you also have to adjust for the primary cause (dehydrated? Parasites?). If it only looks like that when she is pooping, then I would maybe bump up humidity or make sure she has a humid hide

snakesarecute · 03-06-14, 01:39 PM

Thanks for the quick response guys!

It completely pops back in after she finishes, but it's never really a full poop anymore, just a bit of liquid (the white part of the poop!). She hasn't ate a full meal in a week or two now (she's always been a picky eater), so I think I am going to try to feed her tonight, and then watch for her next time she poops.

Is it something to worry about if it pops right back in?

snakesarecute · 03-12-14, 06:34 PM

Here's an update on Parabola's situation!

Cleaned her tank out, upped the humidity for two days so far. I haven't noticed the butt issue, and she hasn't been pooping little bits everyday either! And since it was feeding time I put her in her feeding enclosure with a mouse, and she immediately struck at it and started chowing down (which is great, because she is a picky eater and sometimes goes weeks/months without eating!)

Right after that, I placed her into her regular tank, and she plopped herself into her waterbowl and took a bath. Parts of her scales started to shed, and she seems a lot happier.

Right now, the day after feeding, she's chilling out in her waterbowl still, basking and shedding and she seems much better. Still no signs of that butt !
So I'm really happy! I think it had to do with humidity and shedding, I'm just so glad she's better!

Thanks again everybody

shaunyboy · 03-12-14, 06:49 PM

as long as her insides go straight back in after pooping imo theres nothing wrong...

my carpet pythons all look like they're having prolapses while pooping,imo it's how snakes poop,most folk have never actually witnessed a snake mid poop

that said,if any of her insides remain outside,then as Rob said...

keep it moist by soaking in sugar water,until she sees a vet

cheers shaun

aRepDysfunction · 03-12-14, 08:46 PM

Sounds to me like the overall husbandry needs to be tweaked a bit, i had a cal king and i couldnt stop the damned thing from eating.

glad it eats once in a while, but yeah try and fine tune things, and make sure it stays consistent all the time for a while, and if things improve and she goes back to once a week feeding you have the true root of your issue

Mikoh4792 · 03-12-14, 09:36 PM

Could you post a pic of the whole setup?

shaunyboy · 03-13-14, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aRepDysfunction

Sounds to me like the overall husbandry needs to be tweaked a bit, i had a cal king and i couldnt stop the damned thing from eating.

glad it eats once in a while, but yeah try and fine tune things, and make sure it stays consistent all the time for a while, and if things improve and she goes back to once a week feeding you have the true root of your issue

my youngest son had a king...

the thing was an eating machine,it even hit it's own body with feeding responses

it even struck my sons nose in a feeding response,then literally tried to eat it's way up the inside and outside of his nostril

cheers shaun