Ball Python rescue help... pics and videos

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

My guess would be that his going without food so long has affected his digestive track. Now he has a big meal that his system couldn't handle but it's down too far to regurge it. If you soak him in warm(not hot) water and see if he can move it, that may help, but if his intestine is damaged or twisted or too weak to move the mass on to poo it out, he may not be able to be helped, short of an enema or surgery.

I would advise NOT to take him out to the yard, nor to handle him much, if at all. Let him relax in his cage with plenty of hides and warm humid spots and leave him alone except for treatment. He's not used to being handled, and ball pythons generally don't like bright open space. Roaming around a lawn will stress him because remember, all his tiny snakey brain is telling him is "Any minute a giant bird will swoop down and eat me!".

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I think you are probably right :gj:

Thank you. I gave him 2 yesterday and 1 today so far. Massaged him a little and he seemed to enjoy it but nothing yet, I also didn't massage very hard because I didn't want to hurt him or make him sore. I also added a little powerade to help with possible dehydration so I am hoping for some good news.

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Originally Posted by ElliotNess

I am gonna suggest what I would do which is try to massage that lump. I would assume he is not able to pass it for some reason but it appears too far down to regurge or is stuck, which is what the motion appears to be... it trying to regurgitate the feed.

Warm bath and massage, rinse and repeat...

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Thank you. I gave him 2 yesterday and 1 today so far. Massaged him a little and he seemed to enjoy it but nothing yet, I also didn't massage very hard because I didn't want to hurt him or make him sore. I also added a little powerade to help with possible dehydration so I am hoping for some good news.

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Originally Posted by Derekm951

now im not a doctor, nor are most people that will see and reply to this, but the video suggests it is trying to regurge it. The lump does look significantly larger than what a small rat would cause in a snake that size. My assumption is he is trying to regurge, but the rat is too far down to be brought back up, and because hes unsuccessfully regurgitating, it is causing his stomach to swell, like if you get a piece of chicken stuck in your throat after swallowing before youre done chewing, it takes a while and a lot of effort to get down and once you do your throat feels funny. My advice would be to take him to the vet, and if you cannot afford to do that in an animals time of need how can you properly care for animals? If you cannot drop 100-300$ at any moment for your animals well being, you may be unfit to care for another being life. I would pursue the previous owners for help, and if all else fails massage it.

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Ok cool, thanks for the advice. At least up to the bold part. You should reread my post and understand that I am saving this dude from someone else, twice actually. Put it this way, since I saw him suffering and I'm a little strapped for cash, I should have left him there, right? I couldn't do that, I am trying my best. :-)

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

To be honest I think that really needs investigating by a good reptile vet. :(

Until I saw the lump I thought it might be neurological damage from overheating but given the position on the body I think it is more likely to be something like a blocked/ twisted intestine.

That's not something I would suggest trying to treat at home.

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I am pretty much at that point, I've been making calls trying to find someone to see him or take him in who can better nurse him, but I'm trying one last day. I was thinking the same thing about the overheating considering the time he spent in that garage, but then I started getting comments from Herps who on average said it looks like hes trying to regurgitate, I am hoping for some success today, but we shall see, if not, we go in tomorrow...

thank you

I assume you are putting the Powerade in the water? I don't think in the water it is going to help with dehydration, and I don't think all the sugar in the Powerade would be good for him. Just continue with the plain water soaks, and massages :gj:

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Originally Posted by albinos_rule

I think it is idiotic to think that because someone doesn't have a huge bank account that they can not properly take care of an animal.

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Reread my post....

I didn't think it was an idiotic move to leave him there to suffer like his last 2 owners did, so I am trying. I'll remember that next time tho, thanks.

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Originally Posted by Drake Moonslayer

I have 11 ball pythons and do not have a huge bank account. I have yet to have to take my animals to a vet. If it was needed I would do everything in my power to get the funds needed for the vet billing. But to say that you should not care for another animal if you do not have a lot of money is not right. Yes if needed you should be willing and or able to seek treatment. That is what the OP is doing by reaching out in this forum. He is asking for any assistance from people that may be more experienced with this kind of situation than he is. He has also already stated that if it requires a vet bill that he cannot afford he is wanting to get the snake to someone that can get the nessasary treatment for the animal.

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Thank you for reading and understanding my post, I am hoping for some good news today after his bath. If not, I'm taking him in. Hopefully I can get a little help from the last owner but who knows, but also in the meantime I have some friends seeing if there is someone out there more experienced than me who may be able to help.

Thanks again

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Originally Posted by Drake Moonslayer

I have 11 ball pythons and do not have a huge bank account. I have yet to have to take my animals to a vet. If it was needed I would do everything in my power to get the funds needed for the vet billing. But to say that you should not care for another animal if you do not have a lot of money is not right. Yes if needed you should be willing and or able to seek treatment. That is what the OP is doing by reaching out in this forum. He is asking for any assistance from people that may be more experienced with this kind of situation than he is. He has also already stated that if it requires a vet bill that he cannot afford he is wanting to get the snake to someone that can get the nessasary treatment for the animal.

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Thank you for reading and understanding my post, I am hoping for some good news today after his bath. If not, I'm taking him in. Hopefully I can get a little help from the last owner but who knows, but also in the meantime I have some friends seeing if there is someone out there more experienced than me who may be able to help.

Thanks again

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Originally Posted by albinos_rule

I am just gonna throw this out there, and I am no expert, but if the snake is female could it be eggs:confusd:

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Thought of that too, but I am not 100 percent sure. I did some research but still couldn't tell. Thx

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Originally Posted by alan12013

Usually bloating is from improper digestion and sadly I haven't heard of the proper treatment for that. Your BP probably has weakend internal organs from spending the summer in that overly hot enclosure and poor husbadry. I would do the following:
1) Give him a bath using water that is exactly room temp. I think it's all too common people use water that is too hot, remember if it feels warm to you the it will be too hot for the snake. While he is in the bath try rubbing his swollen belly bery lightly letting him slither over your hand. Do this for about 5-10 minutes every 4 days or so.
2) Make sure his temps are SPOT ON. As well as humidity. If it is a digestion issue then he WILL need a proper gradient that he can choose to move around in and choose the right temp to digest the meal.
3) Feed him smaller meals for now incase his organs are not strong enough to handle such a large meal. I woul record exactly when I fed him and when I offered food. You can post that info on here too. I would personally only offer food every 5 days and again, small meals.
4) Get him a really nice hide that he will use. Another user made me aware of Boots and Barkely water bowls for dogs at Target and they are amazing, most of my snakes love them. He IS stressed out beyond belief right now. The move, poor care, frequent handling, baths, all of this adds to stress. High stress doesn't help an injured body.
This is just what I would do. I am by far not the most experienced person, this is just what I would do if I couldn't take him to a vet.

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1. Thank you for the advice, I actually was doing mild warm temp.... I will leave it to cool to room.

2. I did raise his cage temp to about 85-89, bought a UTH, and have some moss and water spray keeping the humidity around 55-65%. I actually wake up in the middle of the night to check and spray if needed. lol But I have to.

3. I did try to feed him, but he won't take. Ive decided to leave that for now figuring it's because he feels sick.

4. I feel he has all proper hides, he actually isnt hiding much tho. Stays more on the cool side out of the hide. And as you have suggested I will minimize the baths as to not handle or stress him out.

Thanks so much for the help. I will keep everyone posted