Whats Wrong with my ball python?

well my ball python seemed fine until a couple of hours ago. He was fine and was completely active but now he is acting all weak and wobbly, bearly moving :-( he is still a baby i got him in like may and he has only eaten once since i got him he was going to eat again but the mouse escaped his grasp and now i was trying to feed him but he is in this state. HELP?

os he starving, should i try to force feed?

Did the mouse bite him?

You should check him out to be on the safe side.

There could be a ton of things going on.

Hi,

I think we need some more information.

How big is he (weight ) and how has his weight been since he stopped eating?

If he is really small then obviously it is a lot more serious than a 3 footer.

Can you describe exactly how he is lying and moving?

Have you changed anything recently or used any chemicals or anything. Are the temps ok or have the either spiked upwards or droped downwards?

If he has gotten really really weak I would suggest having the vet look at him before thinking of force feeding.

Post as many details as you can and hopefully people will be able to help.


dr del

well he has lost a little weight but not alot and right now he is alive, but laying still where i place him in his tank his head was upside down. nothing at all has changed and he was fine in the morning. Last night i tryed him on a rat pupand left it in the tank overnight but he didnt take it so i swapped it for a adult mouse and when i tried to feed him i noticed this. He is a 09' and was literally PERFECTLY FINE not even 4 or 5 hours ago

if he dosent improve i will get him checked out. Dose anyone no of any reptile vets that can help me in brooklyn ny? Thanks.

Hi,

I really, really think you should take him to a vet. :(

Here are a few links to help you find a good one;

Link 1. (go to seach membership directory )

Link 2.

Link 3.

Link 4.


I think you should tell them every detail you can think of on the phone so they try and get a quick appointment.

Best of luck.


dr del

You got a baby Ball in May and he has only eaten once? It definitely sounds like he is starving, and unfortunately it may be too late even if you do manage to get food in him. Take him to a herp vet ASAP.

The only thing we can tell you is to take him to a vet. Hope he gets better.

i sadly announce that my ball python died during the night. :( i described the details to a employee in the pet store i got to (not where i got the snake) who is extremely knowledgeable about ball pythons and he told me it was most likely IBD :(

Hmm,

He's probably wrong.

If it had been IBD and it had it from the start your snake would have died a long time ago.

Have you added any boas or other reptiles to your collection lately or handled any and then come home and handled your pet?

If you want to find out why he really died the only way to be sure is to refrigerate the body and take it to a vet to do a necropsy. Do not freeze it though as that destroys the cells.

And I'm sorry he didn't make it. :(


dr del

So sorry to hear that. :(

I'm sorry for your loss. Although, most cases where IBD is suspected, it is something else.

Im sorry to hear he didnt make it.. How big was he when you got him? Was he just a started hatchling? If he was only a few months old he really should have been eating at least every week if he was properly started. If he was a problem feeder when you got him, whoever you got him from should have told you that so you would be prepared. There is no telling what he had or why he didnt make it but not getting enough nutrition and losing weight may have weakened his immune system. Allowing whatever caused his death to suddenly appear obvious. Alot of times a snake will not show signs of internal sickness until they are close to death.