Anemic while gravid?

Congrats on the eggs!

I guess it doesn't answer the question about anemia in gravid females?

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Originally Posted by loonunit

Looks like 6 eggs! Pairing was a lesser to normal.

...100 days? Seriously? Do these snakes not read the Ball Python Manual?

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Mother Nature has this habit of forgetting to read the rules humans try to make up for her. Or is it the humans that forget we aren't the ones that make the rules? :confused:

anemia is a medical problem that has MANY symptoms that can trigger it..

A snake that has anemia is lacking hemoglobin which is the oxygen carrying protein to the red blood cells.


This is a medical problem the vet needs to look at as theres nothing you can do. If she does get better after laying the eggs, then the eggs were causing her hemoglobin to drop

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The cause depends on the type of anemia. Possible causes include:

* Genes -- some forms of anemia can be inherited
* Kidney failure
* Blood loss
* Poor diet
* Pregnancy
* Problems with bone marrow (where blood cells are made)
* Problems with the immune system that cause the destruction of blood cells

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Well, she hasn't eaten in months, so that's probably not helping.

Either way, it's nice that she's finally laid the eggs. Even if the anemia wasn't related, it's one less thing to worry about.

Rich, is that a list of conditions which lead to anemia in humans? ;)

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Originally Posted by loonunit

Rich, is that a list of conditions which lead to anemia in humans? ;)

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Yes it is humans related but its the same concept in reptiles, they breath it let in oxygen which is carried to the blood. Same principal.

I edited the list of more possible causes in reptiles as some were more pointed as human problems that couldn't happen to reptiles really.

Lack of hemoglobin is reason why the snakes mouth is white(pale). When the snake is lacking it, the blood isnt getting what it requires. Just keep an eye on it and it may get better after laying the eggs and starts eating again.

Final egg count when my friend got home from work: EIGHT eggs. :weirdface

...I'm gonna go out on a limb and suggest that an eight egg clutch for a first time mother could easily explain the anemia?

Clutch weight is 650 grams. Female went from 2010 grams to 1330 grams overnight.

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Originally Posted by loonunit

Clutch weight is 650 grams. Female went from 2010 grams to 1330 grams overnight.

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I'd like to see the test results before buying the whole anemia diagnosis. Was this a decent herp vet? Are you positive that there was actually a blood sample taken? I would bet most "herp vets" would not have any clue of how to get a blood sample from a snake.

Either way I would not really worry about it. Get her cleaned up, and let her get back to eating. She will be fine.

Dr. Jarchow in Tucson. He's well known, is quoted in the literature, and is the guy who provides vet care for all the local shows. He did have trouble getting a blood sample from this girl. But her mouth was snow white.

To be fair to Dr. Jarchow, based on the rest of exam, he wasn't particularly worried about the snake, either.