Constipation?

Malus · 04-11-11, 02:25 PM

I need some advice here. We have had our ball python for about a month or two an every time it digests a mouse, the mouse gets stuck on the way out. The mouse isn't fully digested an it looks like a fleshy pink mound coming out of the bum of my snake. Since we have had him he has only had about 5 regular poops (brown an white). I called the pet store I bought him from and they said it was just constipation but I'm not sure how much they even know since it is just a pet store. Is this normal and what can I do to help my little fella out?

mykee · 04-11-11, 07:57 PM

If your ball python is not digestng it's food properly, you have one of two issues:
1. Internal parasites; in this case, get your snake to a vet ASAP. If you bought him form a pet store, this is around the time that you will see African bush babies that were shipped from Africa 1000 to an unventilated oil drum directly to YOUR nearest pet store.
Flagyl or Paracur will likely be your route.
Get a fecal done: roughly $25.
2. Your temps are wrong. i.e. your hot spot isn't hot enough. Ball pythons need heat to properly digest their meals, if you are not providing a warm enough spot, constipation and a whole slew of additional issues will follow.

What is your husbandry like?
How old is your ball, etc.
Spill it....

infernalis · 04-11-11, 08:28 PM

Partially digested is not constipation.. no matter what the pet store said.

Something is internally very wrong with your snake, food should not pass through so fast it comes out undigested.

I vote for seeing a vet ASAP....

marvelfreak · 04-12-11, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

Partially digested is not constipation.. no matter what the pet store said.

Something is internally very wrong with your snake, food should not pass through so fast it comes out undigested.

I vote for seeing a vet ASAP....

I am with them both vet ASAP and please keep us inform on how your snake does.

infernalis · 04-12-11, 04:22 AM

Are you absolutely sure that it's not regurgitating?? (Throwing up)

It seems a lot more likely that you are describing a mouse that has been thrown up rather than passed all the way through.

Lankyrob · 04-12-11, 06:45 AM

That was my thought wayne, have you actually see the mouse "come out"?

mykee · 04-12-11, 09:08 AM

Didn't even think of that, good call Wayne!

Malus · 04-12-11, 11:09 AM

this is the families first snake and we have done a lot of research. we are having a little bit of trouble keeping the temperature up because our house is a little drafty during the winter time. i'm going to get a hotter bulb to go along with the heating pad thats under the tank. if things don't change within the next couple days i will b calling my vet. thanks for all the advice and i will keep you posted

infernalis · 04-12-11, 11:45 AM

Aha.. makes perfect sense. without good heat, the food will go sour in the snakes tummy, and it will barf..

whoaxmary · 04-12-11, 12:32 PM

Maybe try moving the snake to a smaller, and therefor easier to heat room? I had to curtain my room (which is in the basement~) off and made a smaller section with basically just my reptiles, my bed, and a small space heater. Before doing so I had an aweful time keeping my temps up inthe tank of my first snake, which was a ball python to. Although I never had anything like you described happen. Maybe that's just because it would be ok for a few days, than a lil chill for a day or two, than ok, and so on... Just an idea? Hopefully it is just a temp issue, rather than something being up with your ball python.
Maybe take a picture next time you see it! :O :P I'm sure someone here will be able to figure it out. I'd still consider a vet visit to be safe though. Good luck with everything.

Lankyrob · 04-12-11, 04:05 PM

If he is throwing food up then once you have the temps up leave him for two weeks at the right temps before attempting to feed again. Snakes take a while for their stomach acids to settle after being sick.

Ch^4 · 04-12-11, 09:33 PM

Definitely get those temps up. Get a space heater if you have to.

blindfireak40 · 04-12-11, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malus

We have had our ball python for about a month or two...Since we have had him he has only had about 5 regular poops (brown an white).

This sounds about right for a Ball, doesn't it? Even at a full two months, that's an average of only 11 days or so between poops, and it sounds like they're healthy poops. Obviously, I could be (read probably am) wrong, but from what I recall from my ball-keeping days back in the mists of time, mine didn't poop super-frequently either.

Quote:

The mouse isn't fully digested an it looks like a fleshy pink mound coming out of the bum of my snake.

Also, if all he's seeing is a "Fleshy Pink Mound" emerging, that sounds like the distended cloaca that seems to accompany snake bowel movements. Malus, can you actually make out any details of the mouse itself, or does it look just like a pink mound? Does it fall out of the snake?

Anyways, I'm not an expert on snakes by a long shot, but does this sound reasonable, Wayne and Mykee, and others? Basically that it's healthy and the "undigested mouse" is a case of mistaken identity?

Lankyrob · 04-13-11, 03:51 AM

I am assuming that if the "undigested mouse" is being found in the tank it isnt attached to the snake so wouldnt be the distended claoca.

Malus - can you elaborate a little???

blindfireak40 · 04-13-11, 08:22 AM

And see, that's the exact thing that gave me pause--he never said he found an undigested mouse in the tank, just that when the snake poops a "Pink mound" appears where the poop comes out. I mean, obviously, if the "Pink mound" is elsewhere in the viv after the deed is done, my theory's all bunk.

I just figured he might not know what a snake pooping looked like...I didn't, until mine crapped on me lol