causes of death?

My ball python passed yesterday..he was healthy one minute, then died the same day! he was in a 20 long (tinfoil over 75% to keep heat and humidity up), 90 hot side, 78 cool side. 50% humidity. ate religiously, even while shedding. Though him not eating was technically the first sign, and happened about 4 days before him passing. here are a few pics of him right before/right after death. (I'll be dissecting him tomorrow to see if I can find anything...He wasn't in my care, as I had some friends who really liked him, but i saw him nearly every day, and his set up didn't change when we moved him.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...30102-2043.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...30102-1954.jpg

ideas? and why is he all lumpy??

Weird, I have no idea. I'm sorry for your loss. :(

Only way to know is a necropsy (put him in the fridge, not the freezer).

Please share whatever you find out.

Sorry for your lose.:tears:
Even though a pink belly is a sign of a shed cycle coming on.
That belly looks like it is burned. Have you checked to make sure your heating element didn't malfunction and possibly cook him?
The only way to know 100% how he died is to have a necropsy done.

yeah, i'm doing the necropsy myself...no vets in town do them on reptiles =/

I thought it looked like a burn, but the heat pad was only 90. It shouldn't be a shed cycle though, as he shed about 2 weeks ago, and he's 4 years old.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by iPanda

yeah, i'm doing the necropsy myself...no vets in town do them on reptiles =/

I thought it looked like a burn, but the heat pad was only 90. It shouldn't be a shed cycle though, as he shed about 2 weeks ago, and he's 4 years old.

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Any chance something chemical could of gotten into his enclosure or he could of gotten into some chemicals when he was out?:confusd:

I'm not totally sure about that. I wouldn't think so, as they have sugar gliders, so they're really careful about chemicals. they're house is a little dirty (as seen by the pics xD), but when he was out, he was on their person. What kind of chemicals would kill that quick??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by iPanda

I'm not totally sure about that. I wouldn't think so, as they have sugar gliders, so they're really careful about chemicals. they're house is a little dirty (as seen by the pics xD), but when he was out, he was on their person. What kind of chemicals would kill that quick??

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I don't have a clue what could do it that quickly, but just by the look of the belly thats the only other thing I could think of that could cause a burn if it wasn't a heat related burn.

Hi,

I'm tempted to say overheating myself.

Sometimes people do not take sunlight through a window into account but a hot spot or thermostat glitch can also cause temperature to rocket and produce the burn as well.


dr del

Is that his hide he is wrapped around in the first pic or a heat rock? What did you check the heat mat temp with? I think his belly looks burned, almost too pink for a shed.

here, I checked for you. this vet does necropsies. I called them, the doc that does the necropsies will be back in town on tuesday. put it in the refrigerator til then. Unless you just want to cut it open to see what the insides looks like.
(435) 586-3400
Cedar Veterinary Clinic
533 N Airport Rd, Cedar City, UT


spooky