Dehydration

[skimo281]

So yesterday I got four ball pythons in a trade which all seemed fine at a glance. He mentioned one particular one was having a bad shed, but for whatever reason it was kind of normal for this particular snake. Being excited I was getting some additions to my collection as well as him telling me that I didn't do much but glance at them before bringing them home. After I got them all home I immediately noticed one looked severely dehydrated. I'm pretty new to snakes so I'm not sure if that's what it is or if it is just starving. One of the plans was to soak in a water/electrolyte bath but with all the varying opinions I decided it would be best to avoid that and just ran water over him for a little bit. I'm not sure if this has any relevance but towards the end he started moving all crazy and had diarrhea as well as some small firm stool. My other snakes have pooped on me before but were acting completely normal the entire time so I thought this incident was strange.

I didn't mean to go on and on I'm just trying to figure out the best course of action. Should I offer food? I know a vet is the ideal route but unfortunately I can't afford that right now. For him looking the way he does he handles very well so I'm going to take that as a good thing. Any help would be greatly appreciated. My original two ball pythons have had zero issues and eat every week without fail since I've had them so this is really my first issue I've had to deal with.

[BrownPolyesterShirt]

Awww, this baby looks it was not well cared for. Judging from the spine, it's been underfed. One of the pros will be along to help you soon! Best of luck.

[bcr229]

Definitely underweight and dehydrated. Keep temps in the correct range and humidity around 70% if possible.

If this critter eats f/t feeders, offer them wet, the extra water in the feeder's fur will help rehydrate the snake.

I also think it's a pastel, not a normal.

Fortunately with correct husbandry and a few groceries this critter should bounce back quickly.

[redshepherd]

In addition, running water over him for so long is not a good idea- snakes being cold-blooded and not producing their own heat, the difference in temperature between the water and his current body temperature is a shock.

[skimo281]

I was going to buy a humidifier to help increase it should that be fine? My normal feed day is tomorrow so I will attempt to give him a meal then. It's only his second night with me but I hope his new home is making him feel better already and that he'll eat. Also I was told he was a fire, not that it really matters though. Thanks for the advice I'm looking forward to getting him better.

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[butterballpython]

Please don't forget to quarantine the new snakes away from the ones you already had.

I use two whole house humidifiers for the geckos set for 50%, and they make it a lot easier to keep the humidity up for the bp's, too.

[eddietorres1978]

Dam that poor snake looks like he's in bad shape..who ever you got it from is a moron..

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[skimo281]

He's starting to look better skin wise but hasn't seemed interested in food yet. Hopefully I can get him on a feeding schedule soon.

[Lacey]

My snake was very under fed i could see spine and rib cage. When u pulled his skin it stuck there. The vet looked at her too and her jaw was rubbery also. She now eats once a week frozen thawed small rats and doesnt leave me hanging. Soon as i offer it to her she gladly takes it out of my hand. It will take time to get it normal. Ive had mine a month and shes still not 100%

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[lauraisfrknawsm]

This is how he is looking today. I think we got all the shed off finally. I couldn't find any when I got him out of a soak.