Anal swelling?

[satanicnugz]

Ohhh so many poop threads.

I fed my BP a large meal 3 days ago. Tonight I was handling and noticed her anal area (by the spurs) looked swollen or bloated. She seemed a little lethargic but her behavior was normal. The under scales in the anal area seemed pinkish shaded. It has been a couple weeks since a bowel movement.

Well with all these clues I assume a big poo is coming.

I have only had my snake since mid-December. I am just a little concerned. I have never seen her anal area look like this. My question is...

Is the anal area buldging normal pooping activity?

[Vomitore]

Might want to soak her in warm water for a lil while. This isnt for certain but there might be some blackage if the bloating sounds as bad as you describe. Soak in warm water, if you don't see any deficants then call the vet in the morning.

[satanicnugz]

Well its not just the area. Its a slight body buldge from the vent up. After the vent to the end of the tail it looks normal.

I won't really start worrying unless the buldge is still around for a few days. I'll see if this passes tomorrow. Its 2:44AM. I just took her out a bit ago and noticed.

[TekWarren]

Vomitore is on the ball, soak the snake. If there is a problem passing the poo a good soak will often relax them enough to pass it.

[atachamp]

I am new here too, but believe what the most experience guys and gals say. Soke her!!! My two month old bp had not pooped for a month (had had 4 meals with me and no poop). I soaked her for about an hour, took her out and was handling her while she dried out. Surprise, not only did she pee on me but she also pooped!!!!!!!
Actually she seems to like to pee on me - has happened 3 times already!!!! Just make sure that when you are soaking her that if she does number 2 in the water that you take her out.

Good luck!!!

[djslurp1200]

Like others have said, soak her in some warm water. Wait to feed until it passes it's poo/urates.

Out of curiousity what is the large meal that you fed it?

[elevatethis]

Ohhh so many poop threads.

I fed my BP a large meal 3 days ago. Tonight I was handling and noticed her anal area (by the spurs) looked swollen or bloated. She seemed a little lethargic but her behavior was normal. The under scales in the anal area seemed pinkish shaded. It has been a couple weeks since a bowel movement.

Well with all these clues I assume a big poo is coming.

I have only had my snake since mid-December. I am just a little concerned. I have never seen her anal area look like this. My question is...

Is the anal area buldging normal pooping activity?

Is there any tissue protruding from the cloaca (or anus as you call it)?

Its not unusual for them to sort of look like they have to "go" a day or two before they have a movement.

Try feeling around the area...as long as it doesn't feel inflated like there is gas in their abdomen or you don't see any internal tissue coming out of the back, a few warm soaks should seal the deal.

A picture would help. At first I was afraid that you were describing some kind of prolapsed tissue, which could be a huge problem and would require immediate veterinary care.

[satanicnugz]

Large meal as in 2 hopper sized rats. My BP is around 19 inches long or so, not sure on age.

No protruding tissue. Also the area does not feel hard/firm. During handling sometimes the area feels soft and normal, other times and other snake positions the area feels kinda squishy and slightly inflated. The vent doesn't feel solid and blocked.

Nearest vet is about 4 hours drive.

Tonight I did 2 soaks of about 15 minutes each. Should I be soaking longer? I had to do 2 soaks because the water temp was cooling quickly. I will also soak again tomorrow night.

[elevatethis]

I honestly would not worry about it. One of the most common concerns that new keepers have (you said you've only had him since December) is "when will my ball python poop?"

He'll go when he's ready, I wouldn't worry about the soaks too much.

[satanicnugz]

I honestly would not worry about it. One of the most common concerns that new keepers have (you said you've only had him since December) is "when will my ball python poop?"

He'll go when he's ready, I wouldn't worry about the soaks too much.

I understand snakes have a whole different physiology than other pets and animals. I know they don't poop as often.

But before your snake(s) has to poop does he get a little size increase on his bottom half?