Diagnosis: Constipation

The store where I get my feeders has a habit of giving me the wrong size (presumably because they're out of the size I needed) and when I asked for a hopper on Tuesday, they gave me a relatively large mouse. Not a hopper. I gave it to her anyway, and she fought and struggled and actually had to catch the mouse twice (I felt bad watching her.) Eventually she won, with no damage on her side, but it's been three days now and she hasnt bothered to go back into her hides, and has not moved from this one spot in the corner. (Which is very unusual behavior for her). I picked her up today and she doesnt have a lump, but she feels unusually heavy, looks extra stocky, and was reluctant to move. I cant figure it out because she's usually one of the most active BPs you'll ever meet. So, my only diagnosis is constipation or indigestion. Does that sound reasonable? I'm being a concerned parent and wondering if there could be anything else the matter.

I would let her sit for a while and let her digest. I wouldn't think of constipation until you go a while without the snake pooping.

I doubt that it's constipation or indigestion. A snake's digestive system is designed to handle pretty large meals so I doubt if a mouse would be much of a problem to a young Ball.

More than likely she is either going into shed or is reducing her energy level in order to digest the meal. Digestion takes a LOT of energy for a snake so you typically won't see them very active after they eat. She may have curled up in the corner because it might be warmer than in her hide, and they tend to seek out a warm location in order to aid digestion.

I'm sure she'll be up and about like her old self in no time. ;)

I agree with Jeff... it's kinda like you feel after an extra large meal, you just want to curl up in a corner somewhere and sleep it off, lol. BP metabolism is a lot slower than our metabolism... it's going to take her a bit longer to digest that big meal.

I would just give her some time. Three days isn't that long... if she doesn't poo for a couple weeks, we'll go from there :)

Well it's been three days. Usually by the second day she's all over the place. That's why I worry. She also usually greets me when I open her tub, but she took a striking position today.

I *am* going to leave her alone for a while, it's just abnormal behavior. :confused: I'm worrying early so as to catch a potential problem sooner. That's my justification. -lol-

Thanks for the responses guys.

I worry a lot too, its part of learning in this hobby and you're welcome :)

Sure you worry... you're a good parent!!!


But when she'd all over the place, her meals are normal sized... this one was big, maybe HUGE by her standards, and she needs a couple more days to get it down.

I'm sure she'll be just fine... and her normal, nosey self very soon :snake:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mindibun

I'm worrying early so as to catch a potential problem sooner. That's my justification. -lol-

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Sounds like a good plan to me!

My little girls doing the same thing right now. Her meals are never bigger than she is. But this one she's really putting her digestion skills to work. Haha