Constipated python.

Ok, before I describe the problem and what I've tried I will tell u about my snake. He's a Mojave ball python about 4 months old. Now I know this isn't smart but I have him in a 20 gallon glass tank with a screen top(sheet of acrylic I fabricated covers 80% of the tank screen), uth and a 80w bulb on the basking side. I have 2 digital thermometers and one hydrometer and I verified all the temps were proper with a temp gun. He's on aspen substrate and has 2 hides on each side with a big water bowl in the center. He's never ever turned down a meal.

Now this is my first snake but I thoroughly researched everything and the breeder gave me some guidelines to follow. However......he's not pooping, I figured he would poop when he was ready but its been 3 weeks and he's eaten 3 mice in that time. I soaked him in warm water for 25the minuets and tried massaging him after. No joy. I heard from a friend who used to have a rather large collection that I should try liquid paraffin.....but I really don't want it to come to that. He said its safe but it doesn't really seem like it.
I hope that im just being paranoid but when it comes to my little beasties id rather freak out and it be nothing. I don't want my precious herps to die on me :(

How big is he and how big were the mice?

Likely just paranoid. A constipated snake has a lumpy look and or very bloated look. It is quite ovious that something is quite odd. They do not 'go' as regularly as expected I have some that go every week some every 4 weeks and one that goes longer than that at times. My guess (and it is just a best guess) that yours is normal. I would not massage him just wait.

He's about 18 inches, about as big around as a silver dollar, and weighs 150g I think. The mice were as big as his thickest area, I ask for weaned mice at the store usually. Both he and my female are on the same schedule and have about the same conditions and she's fine.

Can you post some pictures?

This was him lastnight up to his usual antics, his call of duty record is better than mine :(http://otakubooty.com/of_img.asp?gui...pe=JPG&thumb=0

At 150g he should be eating a medium to lg mouse. Roughly a mouse that is 15-20g. Any smaller and it will take him longer to poop bc he's using every bit of his meal and likely has nothing left over to poop out. They don't go very regularly though as others were Saying. It's only been 3 weeks and you are being a a worrier like we all have been at one point in time. You can up his feed intake or prey. Make sure he's well hydrated and his humidity is correct and he will poop for you soon. No need to try any liquid paraffin.


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Yeah well, when I massaged him after his soak he had no lumpy areas near his vent. He did leak out a little dark brown into the water so I guess he's close. I wasn't planning on giving him any paraffin I just wanted to know if it was safe if it got to a desperate situation. I guess he's just getting fat because he's alot chubbier then he was when I first got him. Plus I did find a urate in his enclosure tonight when I cleaned it out. I guess ill continue his feeding schedule?

If you are that worried take him to a vet and get x rays. The vet will treat likely with a oral laxative via a stomach tube.

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I dunno if ball python are like us but constipation can be pretty painful. Just offered him an adult male mouse and he hit it like mike Tyson. Safe to say he's not in any pain, in a few days ill let him swim around in my tub again to see if that helps.

Btw I was reading around online and one guy said he uses a plastic syringe to inject ky lube right into the vent..... something about that seems wrong in so many ways. Any input on this treatment?

Mine only poop when they shed, and my boa has waited up to 3 months to poop after taking small rats every 8-10 days...I really wouldn't worry unless he starts looking lumpy.

He's not lumpy, I was just worried because his tail was getting thick and he hadn't pooped. When could I start feeding him rats?

How much does he weigh?

I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Just look for signs of lumpiness, and if you really concern find a vet who sees reptiles. I know my snake doesn’t poop as much as the owner of the store said they do.

No KY, at the most you could get a needle syringe and add 0.2ml per 100gm of snake of distilled water to the mouse rat before feeding. Chances are the animal is fine and not having any problems, too much soaking and manuliplation will cause stress in the animal and make everything worse.

Not sure on the weight, he was close to 100g when I first got him. 2 months have passed and he's put on some size, once I get my next paycheck im going to get an electronic scale. Feeding him today kinda set me at ease because he didn't hesitate and he seemed to have alot of energy. The het russo I bought is doing fine too and she's on the same setup. Btw when is a good age/weight to start them on rat pups?

I start mine on rats as soon as possible.

Ok I just weighed them both.

My male Mojave is 265 grams
My female russo is 206a grams

Just fed the female a rat pup and she downed it with no problems, gonna give one to my Mojave next time he's due for food.

Good news, my Mojave just shed today and afterwards he ate a rat pup. Not too long after he dropped the biggest duce I've ever seen. I pretty much has to clean the enclosure completely. Thanks to everyone who responded, turns out I really was worried about nothing :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vermillion

Good news, my Mojave just shed today and afterwards he ate a rat pup. Not too long after he dropped the biggest duce I've ever seen. I pretty much has to clean the enclosure completely. Thanks to everyone who responded, turns out I really was worried about nothing :)

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That's what everybody is here for! Probably a little late, but just my 2 cents anyhow, I would not soak him, he probably just used up his entire meal. They should be able to take rat pups no problem. As far as worrying, better safe than sorry! :D