Third of BP seems limp. Any idea whats going on?

Hi, i just got in 2 2000 gram females today. one had retained eye caps and the other girl is massive at 2800grams but there is something very odd about her body. She if firm and muscular the first two thirds of her body but towards the end its loose and limp. Its almost as if she is just dragging her body along. Not to mention her tail seems nipped by a rat pretty badly. here are some pics of the tail.

I would like to hear what u guys think. in terms of having her as a breeder. the condition to me seems rather alarming.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60036729@N08/

not sure if this link works but let me know.

That doesn't sound good at all...

Who sold those girls to you?

I got it from a private breeder. Both of the snakes are active enough. But something feels really wrong with the bottom third of the snake. The seller also said that he would back them up in health, eating and sex as he had bred them the previous year and had them rest for a year, and that they are eating as well.

Would you happen to have any idea what might be the cause of the limpness?

Ouch...that tail looks nasty! Doesn't really look like a bite wound, but I suppose it could be. Looks more to me like multiple old stuck sheds were left around the tail and they cut off the circulation. That's just a guess, though. As for the limpness...that does NOT sound good. Maybe a spinal injury? I would DEFinitely consult a vet about that and would not consider breeding her without a confident vet's assurance.

Did you know about the retained eyecaps and messed up tail and such before you bought them? I'd question any breeder who would send out snakes in that condition. :(

He said that they were healthy and he would back them for time within the first week.

I did not hear any of this. He was very confident in his email regarding their health. I managed to gently brush off one of the eye caps. it was caught in folds at the corner of her eye, but the other one just doesnt budge.

Having said that, they both are active, and alert. but that limp is really bothering me. I am still awaiting a reply from the breeder.

Does she have any control over the back two thirds at all? Can she grip? Will she move the back end? It sounds almost as if she just laid eggs. But only If she can move her back end. If she can't I'd be consulting a vet asap.

Is she still eating? Or have you tried offering her food yet?

A snake can usually grip onto your hand with its tail and support its entire body...can she do this?

I have lost a snake to IBD, and the first signs were a paralyzed (and eventually swollen too) back end and food refusal. So to be safe, I'd make sure this snake (and the one that she came with) is in a STRICT quarantine. And get to a vet asap.

PS. I wasn't implying that your snake has IBD, especially with the presence of the possible injury...its just not something to rule out. And better to quarantine just in case, and not lose your entire collection.

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Originally Posted by JLC

Ouch...that tail looks nasty! Doesn't really look like a bite wound, but I suppose it could be. Looks more to me like multiple old stuck sheds were left around the tail and they cut off the circulation. . :(

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I'll second the multiple stuck sheads.