Strange worrisome poo (gross pic.)

So, I've been worrying about this little girl for a couple of weeks now.

http://www.iherp.com/HerpTrack/MyAni...AnimalID=87993

When I first got her, her size really worried me. She's supposedly a '09 100% het albino, but when I weighed her day before yesterday (before defecation) she weighed in at only 410 grams. She had to have been closer to 300 when I bought her. She's very thin, but short, too. But she pounded rats for me, and I was happy. Her male counterpart has about doubled in size for me already. Then, on the second of this month, she regurged. Freaked me out, but I stayed calm and went about business as usual. She has refused every time since, except on the 22- I got her to eat a crawler rat when I left in with her and turned out all the lights. Far too small for her, but I figured it was worth a try, and it panned out. Anyway, then today, this.

http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/v...X/DSCF2874.jpg

I smelled it, because that seemed the right thing to do. To my disgust, I recognized it. It smelled like when I had the stomach flu last...so that was disturbing.

I'm just not sure what to think. Is this just because of the regurge? Her flora and fauna attempting to come back into balence? But then, I'm not sure what caused that in the first place. I breed my own rats, I know exactly what goes into them. It was live at the time, and she took it down normally. Rawr! Ball Pythons! Why do they make us worry so??

Anyway, just before anyone asks, she's in a tub setup, heated with back and a little bottom heat, 92-77, thermostat, temps good, on aspen, yada yada. I am dealing with mites right now, (PAM on it's way) but I have only seen 2 ever, and they weren't on her, just in her enclosure, so it's not like she's infested and dealing with that sort of stress. I've been handling her as little as possible and she's actually living in a closet right now, so things are nice and dark and secure.

Anyway, I know, I'm worrying a lot. I just care very much about her, and want everything to be alright. Any insight?

I would take a fecal sample of that straight to the vet for a test. Your snake may either have a parasite or simply a case of failure to thrive, an '09 should be no where near that weight, even when poorly fed. Just my 2 cents.

I'd second that. Get a fecal exam done on that sample.

I'll third that fecal! Runny smelly nasty poop classic symptoms.


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Yes absolutely a sample needs to get to the vet... I hope you saved it... :O

Alright guys, well, I threw it away almost immediately, because of the complete nastiness of it. I suppose I could go dig it out of the trash...I can't get her into the vet till Saturday. Will the sample still be viable by then?

I just want her to be okay. Thanks for the push. :oops:

alright, I dug it out, thankfully it was still wrapped up in the paper towels. I've collected some in a sealed ziplock baggie. Now what? Fridge, Freezer, room temp? Keeping in mind I can't get it tested till Saturday.

Any advice/help is appreciated!

Put it in the fridge. Do NOT freeze. I don't know if it'll still be good a week from now, but its worth a try. I know dog fecals can be viable for 5-7 days after collection if kept in the fridge, but I don't know about reptile poo. Best of luck with everything - hope she's ok. Keep us posted!

It is now in the fridge. Hope Saturday will be soon enough...thanks everyone.

Good luck, hope she turns out okay!

How is she today, Anya? Any change in behavior?

Ah, sorry, haven't been on the forums in a couple days. She appears fine. I mean, yes she's incredibly skinny, but her eyes are bright, her scales are shiny, and she's a feisty little thing. Today her tub fell over, which I'm sure was ridiculously stressful...I was furious, but couldn't find the culprit. :mad:

Anyway, her appointment is on Friday. The reptile vet isn't in till next Tuesday....but they have a vet that's learning...haha, so I'm nervous about that. But I'm going to make sure I'm well educated before going, so hopefully it'll be okay. :please:

So, just got home from the vet!

I'm SO glad I went. Cake has a nasty-looking parasite, and they're going to diagnose it over the weekend, and prescribe meds on Monday. (It looks like a cross between a tape worm and a round worm, and she couldn't quite identify it. A specialist will be in tomorrow.) The exam went wonderfully, and they spent about and hour and a half on me...the fees were very low, and even though she doesn't specialize, I know this vet will be my choice in the future as well.

Hooray for good vet experiences!

That's great Anya! Grats for being dilligent an following through. Even though it was just poop. :-)


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Anya

So, just got home from the vet!

I'm SO glad I went. Cake has a nasty-looking parasite, and they're going to diagnose it over the weekend, and prescribe meds on Monday. (It looks like a cross between a tape worm and a round worm, and she couldn't quite identify it. A specialist will be in tomorrow.) The exam went wonderfully, and they spent about and hour and a half on me...the fees were very low, and even though she doesn't specialize, I know this vet will be my choice in the future as well.

Hooray for good vet experiences!

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I'm really glad they could diagnose a problem and not just throw their hands up in the air saying she's a lost cause! Here's to her getting better and thriving! :carouse:

Great news to hear Anya!!! Even though a parasite is nasty business, at least this is something you can deal with - I mean, you have an answer to her problem now. I'll keep my fingers crossed that once you're able to get rid of those nasty things she starts to thrive for you. So glad you were able to get her to the vet! Please continue to keep us posted on her progress! :gj: