is it possible to be urate bound?

I have a hatchling that is not doing the greatest, it has taken a few meals but I have not seen urates or poop. I palpitated the snake to see if anything was amiss and there seems to be a hard urate very close to the vent. Has anyone encountered this before and can a vet help it pass? or if someone knows a simple way for me to help it pass that would be good too.

Thanks
Richard

A vet is probably your safest bet, since you'll want a positive identification of the obstruction (if that's what it is) before messing with it.

I had something very simular to this
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=76849

Thanks guys. I am soaking her right now and will get her to a vet asap..

Richard

I've seen this happen in baby BPs. Letting them soak in some warm water for a an hour then slighting rubbing the lower area will help work it out. A vet visit may be in order also depending on if soaking it helps any. Best of luck, let us know how it all turns out.

As others havce stated, it is very possible to have a digested mass block the anal vent. It can be palpated out, but if you have never done it before, I would definitely seek assistance from an experienced keeper or a veterinarian. Palpating without experience could lead to a prolapse, or if the intestinal tract is torn during the process, internal probelms could occur (i.e. septicimia, or other infections).

I have also heard of other knots or balls inside of animals that are undetermined as th what they are, but they do not seem to hinder the animals ability to eat or pass waste. A diagnosis by a bet is probably the best bet.

Hope that helps,

thanks guys! I was soaking it in water for awhile before i posted and then i decided to help it out. It was right at the vent and i very slowly worked it out!! No prolapse no blood. There are a few smaller pieces i can palpitate further up the snake but i will let the snake try to handle those ones as I don't want to do any internal damage..

I will still take her to the vet to be checked on but because I cannot get to a vet quickly i think this was the best course of action.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

Richard

I would try soaking it before going to a vet. my Kyros had that happen when he was a baby baby. I saw here that soaking can help it pass and it did! just be ready for some poo too... What a mess! But it was worth not taking him straight there and spending the 75 bucks it costs to even get an appointment at my reptile vet... I hate my vet. She so doesn't know what she's doing...

never mind you already did it! Im so glad it turned out well for you and your little buddy! :banana:

When you guys soak your BPs in warm water what temp do you keep the water at?

Also, slightly off topic, but I woul dlike to soak my corn as he had a bad shed while he escaped and am wondering if the temp would be the same for him as well.