Worried my snake might be hurt

[Miko]

So, my snake hasn't gone to the bathroom for a while (5/31) and he looks somewhat bloated? I thought he was constipated so I gave him a warm bath, I held him and went down his body with my two fingers in a U shape around him and heard a crackling type of noise or a popping. It did not come from his mouth, that's for sure. He's been eating normally and he seems fine in every other way. The popping/crackling noise seems to be happening in his lower third, perhaps I should take him to the vet to get x-rays?

[seang89]

I believe the popping is from you stretching his vertebrae. However the bloating and not going to the bathroom seems like a serious problem. A vet checkup seems in order.

What are you using for a substrate?

[Miko]

I believe the popping is from you stretching his vertebrae. However the bloating and not going to the bathroom seems like a serious problem. A vet checkup seems in order.

What are you using for a substrate?

Coconut husk.

[Simple Man]

Snake is fine, leave him alone! That was his spine more than likely. They can make that noise like cracking your fingers. I would recommend your warm baths for awhile and handle him. The movement and water should help him go. If he hasn't, then you should just be patient. Some of my growing snakes don't go the bathroom very often.

Regards,

B

[Jessica Loesch]

My snake made that noise yesterday. Seemed fine after.

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[Miko]

Thanks, I'll give him warm baths and handle him more and see if he goes or wait until he sheds.
And it's not on the spine, it's on his side. Uh, and I tried it and it happened more than once every time I did it.

[Alexandra V]

You know how you can "crack" your back, like cracking your knuckles? Same idea with them, the movement will do it sometimes. It can happen a lot in the same area because they have a lot more vertebrae than we do.