prolapsed ball python

Having trouble with my female ball python Daisy. I feel horrible for her. This is the third time she has prolapsed in the past month. Her prolapse is really bad, one of the worst I have seen. we have taken her to the vet each time it has happened and even took her to a specialist last time. She has put it back in by herself before and I'm currently waiting to see if she will do it again this time. its hanging probably an inch (maybe more) out of her. her feces is really hard. Every time we have gone to the vet they have just pushed it back in. the specialist had asked us to bring a stool sample back to them but in the span of a WEEK it has happened yet again. I feel horrible for her and its honestly a pain to have to keep going to the vet and spending money just for them to send us home after pushing it back in. it happens way too frequently. we tried the sugar paste and it didn't seem to do much at all. I'm not sure how often or how long I am supposed to be applying it. right now we have KY jelly on it to prevent it from drying out. I have heard of the surgery before but for some reason the doctors have not done it yet. Just looking for advice on how to make things better for her. I am getting fed up at the fact that we keep going to the doctors and they aren't doing anything even though it keeps happening. thanks in advance.

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Originally Posted by HannahB

Having trouble with my female ball python Daisy. I feel horrible for her. This is the third time she has prolapsed in the past month. Her prolapse is really bad, one of the worst I have seen. we have taken her to the vet each time it has happened and even took her to a specialist last time. She has put it back in by herself before and I'm currently waiting to see if she will do it again this time. its hanging probably an inch (maybe more) out of her. her feces is really hard. Every time we have gone to the vet they have just pushed it back in. the specialist had asked us to bring a stool sample back to them but in the span of a WEEK it has happened yet again. I feel horrible for her and its honestly a pain to have to keep going to the vet and spending money just for them to send us home after pushing it back in. it happens way too frequently. we tried the sugar paste and it didn't seem to do much at all. I'm not sure how often or how long I am supposed to be applying it. right now we have KY jelly on it to prevent it from drying out. I have heard of the surgery before but for some reason the doctors have not done it yet. Just looking for advice on how to make things better for her. I am getting fed up at the fact that we keep going to the doctors and they aren't doing anything even though it keeps happening. thanks in advance.

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With severe and reoccurring prolapse usually a qualified vet will elect to do surgery.

Sugar paste is only an emergency technic and it only helps with minor prolapse when it does work.

If the feces are really hard it could be an issue with hydration, make sure your snake is properly hydrated and feed smaller preys when you feed as well.

I'd look for a new vet. I've never had a snake with a prolapse but after multiple incidents a surgery might be needed.

After a prolapse it's common to put a stitch or two on either side of the vent to prevent it from happening again.

How old is Daisy? If she's more than a few months old and in good weight, you can take a month or so off feeding to give her time to heal up. Also when you start feeding her again offer a very small feeder which should pass more easily.

If her feces are hard make sure her humidity is up - I would keep it 70-75% - and she has plenty of water available to drink. If she takes f/t then offer her feeders wet.