My Ball Python Dying???

My ball is 18 in long, I have had him almost 2 mths. He is flipping back and forth, opening his mouth and striking and side of cage etc!!! Acting very strange, like he is dying ! Any ideas?

That is very strange.. can he right himself if you set him on his back? If not, he may have IBD (inclusion body disease) always fatal to pythons.

I would take him to the vet ASAP.

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Originally Posted by Shelby

That is very strange.. can he right himself if you set him on his back? If not, he may have IBD (inclusion body disease) always fatal to pythons.

I would take him to the vet ASAP.

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He has clamed down a bit now and is sleeping but breathing more heavy than normal.

I have not tried to turn him over to see if he could right himself. He is young, 18 in long. I got him 9/11/05. It does seem to me that his central nervous system is way outta wack..

I am new at this and do not know the signs to look for any illiness. The vet hasn't returned my calls so it may be Monday before I can do anything.

Out of curiosity.. where did you get him? I wouldn't be surprised if you say pet store..

Has he been eating for you?

I got him at a flea market but this lady does have a pet store. She has a good name b/c in a different town where I buy the food they admire her. He eats a fuzzy every other Saturday.

This probably has nothing to do with your problem, but a young BP is better off eating every week instead of every other.

I feed all but my big 7' boa weekly.

And just because some people admire this person, doesn't mean they're necessarily good.

I try feeding him weekly but he won't eat, only every other week. (except tonight) That's when all this started with him. I took him out of his cage and placed him in a box with the (dead) fuzzy. After about 5 minutes he started acting this way. I put him back in his cage b/c I didn't know what to think. He acted up in there for a short time. Got in the water bowl, then out and now is balled up sleeing.

Have you checked for parasites? I haven't heard of a snake spazzing out like that over mites, but you may want to check for them (small white or red moving dots especially around head and butt)

NO I haven't looked, actually not sure I would know what to look for b/c I am new at this but I will look..God.. I have never been afraid of him but he acted so strange, I am scared he will bite me but I will LOOK..

If you are uncomfortable, just put a pair of gloves on. I do that for my snippy snakes.

Just look for tiny moving dots.. about the size of a speck of... dandruff I suppose. lol

Mites like to congregate around eyes.