Persistent Foul Odor

Bluz Brotherz · 12-09-14, 03:48 PM

Hi, I have a concern with a certain boa's substrate. This has been a problem ever since I first got him about four years back, but it was only with him. No matter what substrate I use, or how often I clean his cage, or how thoroughly I clean it, it REEKS to high Heavens. Within a few days the room would go from smelling like aspen to it smelling like it hadn't been cleaned in a year. He isn't vomitting his mice, and he isn't defecating unusually often. The only conclusion that I can draw from this phenomenon is that his feces just absolutely has the foulest scent imaginable.

I could tolerate this if it wasn't for the fact that other people live with me, and they won't go anywhere near his cage and I'm worried that his place in my home might be threatened (I'm not going to let that happen though...). Anyways, does anyone have any suggestion for substrate that might be able to help this problem? Or any solution at all for it? Thanks

**Tsubaki** · 12-10-14, 05:48 AM

Does it smell foul like feces or more like urine? Maybe he pees a lot. You could try putting him on paper towels for a bit, so you can spot urine easier. Just check the paper twice a day, i've had snakes that peed a little every day and that could stink up the place.

eminart · 12-10-14, 07:09 AM

You might want to get him checked for coccidiosis. Read this: Coccidia It's a very common problem with raptors, although I've never experienced it with my snakes.

marvelfreak · 12-10-14, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

Does it smell foul like feces or more like urine? Maybe he pees a lot. You could try putting him on paper towels for a bit, so you can spot urine easier. Just check the paper twice a day, i've had snakes that peed a little every day and that could stink up the place.

I second this. A couple of my Carpets and Black Bloods stick the place up with their urine. It three times worse than when they poop. I found using Reptile Bark helps some with the odor.

**millertime89** · 12-10-14, 01:25 PM

Have you tried cypress? It seems to overpower the smell of everything else.

IW17 · 12-10-14, 02:03 PM

What they said. Try Cypress if you haven't. All my larger animals are on, or will be on Cypress. It really helps mask the smell of urine and feces from larger animals.

**Tsubaki** · 12-11-14, 06:07 AM

Cypress indeed masks the smell of urine, thats why i don't like it. Urine is a strong smell and can be irritating to the snake as well, it should be cleaned in stead of masked. Using something absorbing would be better, just my opinion. I use ground coconut dirt, it absorbs small bits of urine and i dig out dirty spots generously. My snakeroom smells a bit earthy, not foul at all.