Snake twisting around/shaky, IBD?

Well I am sorry to say he has gotten worse :/ I am debating giving him another week or putting him down. He seems really uncomfortable and just distressed.

Here is a video of what he is doing now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en-DkwSRfA4

I'm really sorry to hear/see that. It was good of you to give him a chance. Hopefully this doesn't scare you away from getting another ball python in the future.

I honestly don't know. I will end up with another ball or a cornsnake. I haven't really decided. I was hopeful as he seemed to get better, but I don't know if there is much else I can do. I don't think it is fair to keep him alive when he is like this.

How long would you guys suggest waiting till I bring home a new snake? I threw out his tub/everything in it.

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Originally Posted by mtag

How long would you guys suggest waiting till I bring home a new snake? I threw out his tub/everything in it.

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I'm so sorry - I take it this means he's gone. :(

I would give it a few months at least. Spend the winter getting a new enclosure set up, and buy another snake in the spring when the shipping weather improves and new babies are out.

I also would never set foot in the pet store he came from, as I doubt his enclosure there was discarded or even disinfected properly.

I put him down today :/ He was rapidly declining. He was having issues with breathing and was just laying out in a flat line half the time. I keep second guessing myself but I believe it was the right thing to do. It is just SUCH a hard decision to make.

I have a breeder picked out and want an established snake. I have my eyes on one that I think I am going to go with, I am just wondering how long I should wait until I can be confident there is nothing airborne. I am going to bleach the surrounding area as well.

- - - Updated - - -

The vet tech I talked to said to wait a month or so.

I'm so sorry.


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I have been crying off and on for the past two days feeling like a loser. I knew it would most likely end up like this. I am a bit of a softie though and would have felt worse if I had let him get put down in the beginning. The positive from this is that he got a good meal in and was taken care of well for a month and did improve. I also got to see if I want a Ball Python for sure and I definitely do!

I'm sorry for your loss. I really think you helped his quality of existence for his last days on earth. Keep us updated when you get your new snake friend.

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Originally Posted by mtag

I have been crying off and on for the past two days feeling like a loser. I knew it would most likely end up like this. I am a bit of a softie though and would have felt worse if I had let him get put down in the beginning. The positive from this is that he got a good meal in and was taken care of well for a month and did improve. I also got to see if I want a Ball Python for sure and I definitely do!

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You are NOT a loser! You gave that poor baby a chance during his last few weeks. Unfortunately he was too far gone by the time he was brought to the vet.

As for disinfecting the area, F10SC would be a better option than bleach, it persists a lot longer and won't stink up the house.

I am feeling a bit better. I am looking into doing a necropsy if it is a reasonable price. I guess the test for IBD is in the 600-700 dollar range, but the vet tech is looking into it for me.

I will buy that cleaner. As I said it will be at least a month, but I am excited. I am also glad because taking care of this little guy gave my boyfriend a chance to realize snakes aren't gross scary things :P

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Originally Posted by mtag

I am also glad because taking care of this little guy gave my boyfriend a chance to realize snakes aren't gross scary things :P

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That makes me super happy. I think a lot of people have all these ideas of what snakes are like without ever actually interacting with one. My snakes sure have won my reluctant boyfriend over. Ball pythons, changing peoples minds everywhere.