Rat-Lax?!? What is it? Is it safe for your snakes?

Recently I was talking to a fellow snake owner about my constipated BP. He told me when he has a constipated snake he injects mineral or veg oil in his frozen thawed mice/rats. Is the oil harmful to snakes for them to ingest? I've already when to the vet for my BP and I'm going to stick to his regiment; but hearing this really peeked my curriosity. Anyone even hear of this or have you tryed it?

What make you think that your BP is constipated?

Constipation is in fact very rare in BP as they are very efficient, the expectation of the owners however often does not match the reality of how digestion and bowel movement work.

The frequency that a snake has a bowel movement depends a lot on the frequency of the feeding schedule. A younger snake will utilize most of the prey for nourishment and not have a bowel movement as often. Adult snakes may not even have regular bowel movements. As Deb asked, what makes you think your snake even needs a laxative? Not to be rude, but I have never heard of such a thing in my life and I would not risk doing such a thing to my own snake. It just doesn't sound safe or reasonable in my opinion.

SMH......
If you think your snake needs to poop but wont either clean the tub OR place them on your clean bed.
I can guarantee they will go!!

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Originally Posted by Deborah

What make you think that your BP is constipated?

Constipation is in fact very rare in BP as they are very efficient, the expectation of the owners however often does not match the reality of how digestion and bowel movement work.

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He was very bloated for a small guy after I bought him. I watched him try and pass a poop and some blood came out, so thats when I brought him to the vet, and they gave him an enema and got the blockage out. I don't know if there could still be some in there but im just following what the vet said to do which is feed him 2-3 fuzzies every 5 days opposed to the 1 med mouse ever 5 that I was feeding him (150g BP). I've only had him for 3 1/2 weeks or so and I've done a lot of reading on how to take care of these guys, but im still learning.

But have you heard of this oil thing? I don't want to try it, I just thought it was weird enough to make a post about.

Yikes, I don't take advice from random pet owners, or random vets for that matter, it'd have to be someone long experienced keeping, breeding or treating reptiles for me to consider it. If this guys snakes are constipated on the regular, I'd be questioning his husbandry and thinking he's likely creating more problems than he's fixing. I've never had a constipated snake and don't think it's very common if properly kept/fed.

I do not think he need a laxative lol, it was just brought up in a conversation and I had never heard of it. Im just asking if anyone has.

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Originally Posted by GoingPostal

Yikes, I don't take advice from random pet owners, or random vets for that matter, it'd have to be someone long experienced keeping, breeding or treating reptiles for me to consider it. If this guys snakes are constipated on the regular, I'd be questioning his husbandry and thinking he's likely creating more problems than he's fixing. I've never had a constipated snake and don't think it's very common if properly kept/fed.

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Thats what I was thinking. I really wanted to say to the guy your probably getting it sick, but I didn't know him and didn't want to argue. I don't know any better anyways I've only had mine for 3 1/2 weeks and am not considering experimenting in any way or taking advice from randoms. Thats why I ask my questions here.:)

Soaking the snake is how I would deal with any suspected bowel movement problems. However I think pit might be onto something....

Usually the bloating issues that can be seen in snake is usually either all gas, or there is a blockage generally cause by dry urate, poor hydration can cause this, however in both cases a enema is not needed, the vet took advantage of the fact that you have limited experience.

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2-3 fuzzies every 5 days opposed to the 1 med mouse ever 5

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A 150 grams snakes fed 2 to 3 fuzzies every 5 days is not gonna poop any time soon since the animal will utilize most of the prey item for growth.