Help! Random spots of blood in cage!

Usually it happens at the same time as the snake goes to the bathroom, or right after. But I have also seen snakes evert their cloacas slightly at other random times (briefly, and then everything goes back to normal).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mlededee

Usually it happens at the same time as the snake goes to the bathroom, or right after. But I have also seen snakes evert their cloacas slightly at other random times (briefly, and then everything goes back to normal).

---

Yes, I've seen that before too, though not in a long while. "Scraping bottom"- ;) Pics of the blood left would help us diagnose- other than one "smear", I took it to be tiny random splatters & if it's from the snake's cloaca, it should mostly show up as a smear?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Claire&snek

Hi! I really appreciate all the comments so thank you!
Yes, I am switching to bio-active because of a couple reasons. First I think it will give her more to climb on without using the plants which cannot hold her very well as she climbs the glass sides. It would also be more enriching for her. Also it would be less to clean and keep up with since the isopods would take care of bacteria.

Also when I say rough I mean she will put all of her weight on the plants and since they cannot support her weight for long she will fall from them. Ever since I got her over 2 years ago she has always loved to climb and is super active at night. (She has a 40 gallon)

---

Sounds to me like you'll want to replace those plants. Even if they don't have protruding wires, if they're not stable enough for your bp to climb on, they present a falling hazard. It shouldn't be too hard to find something more stable to replace them.

So... any more blood spots? Have you checked out or removed the plants? How's it going?

I tend to agree with the idea that it could be a bathroom related issue. If your temps are off, as Boger mentioned, that could make digestion more difficult. Further, dehydration can make urates and poop harder than normal, which can add to this. Just like with humans, it's possible to get a sore bum from bad poops in snakes too.

Make sure temps are in line, that humidity is correct, and that there's plenty of fresh drinking water for your BP.

I've seen it happen a couple times in 9 years of having my BP, Shayna. I've also seen it a few times after a shed from around the rear end, but she often goes to the bathroom when she sheds, so not conclusive.