HELP! Hatchling body making cracking sounds.

I have a hatchling Mystic female that has not ate since being out of the egg (Hatched on 5/28, admittingly time got away from me, and did not realize it has been that long). I have tried most of the normal things, switching feeders... rats, mice, asf and in both pinks and fuzzy. I have been debating on whether or not to try to "assist" feed, but have never done it so have been procrasting. So I picked her up today to check her out, and her body started making cracking sounds just touching her and felt weird too. I am assuming this is very bad. Does anyone know what is happening and is there anything I can do? From the sound of what her body was sounding like, it felt like she was breaking ribs or something, if that is the case, I am afraid helping her start eating would only cause more damage as she will try to fight me? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I would suggest a vet visit pronto. Don't procrastinate.
I'm admittedly baffled at how one could fail to realize for 2 months that a baby hatchling hasn't had it's first meal.

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Originally Posted by M&NSnakeDen

I would suggest a vet visit pronto. Don't procrastinate.
I'm admittedly baffledof at how one could fail to realize for 2 months that a baby hatchling hasn't had it's first meal.

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I think you misunderstood me. I am well aware it has not eaten, just did not realize it has been 2 months of trying.

Well whatever the case, I'd still suggest taking the lil one to a vet.


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I know in a human, subcutaneous emphysema can occur for multiple reasons. But, I have no idea in snakes. Has she shed? Is she bloated? What color is her belly?

Vet visit and assist feed!!! great vids all over the web on how to please PLEASE take care of this situation best of luck to you!!

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Originally Posted by Murse

I know in a human, subcutaneous emphysema can occur for multiple reasons. But, I have no idea in snakes. Has she shed? Is she bloated? What color is her belly?

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You won't hear SCE in humans with an unaided ear. It's something you feel under the skin.
If OP can audibly hear & feel cracks, I'm willing to bet it does have something to do with her ribs and/or spine.
How is she acting? Is she lethargic? Does she flick her tongue?

Could it be stuck, dry shed? Or is it like a knuckle-cracking sound?

At 2 months you definitely want to assist feed her to get something in her. There are some decent videos on youtube, but it can be a little difficult and rather stressful your first few times doing it.

As for the cracking, popping I don't know what it is exactly, but isn't uncommon it hatchlings in our experience. This is if it is the same thing I am referring to.
When we sex our new hatchlings we gently straighten out and lightly rub/massage their tail area to get them to relax before we pop them and have felt the cracking/popping.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by M&NSnakeDen

You won't hear SCE in humans with an unaided ear. It's something you feel under the skin.
If OP can audibly hear & feel cracks, I'm willing to bet it does have something to do with her ribs and/or spine.
How is she acting? Is she lethargic? Does she flick her tongue?

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you will hear it and feel it.
sounds like rice krispies

I've had patients with SCE & I've never walked into their room & been able to hear it . Feel it, absolutely (we're all taught in school that it'll feel like Rice Krispies) but I don't recall being told that you can hear it with a bare ear.

Maybe we have different experiences lol. If there ever comes a day where I can hear my patients SCE, I'll think of this thread :-p


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http://books.google.com/books?id=PcA...0sound&f=false

for M&N

not sure if links are ok.

OP post some photos of your snake.

She is just as active as the other hatchlings I have, she wonders around, flicking tounge, hisses at me when I pick her up, etc. I think I may have jumped the gun a little on this one. I picked her up this morning, and there was just a few little cracklings, and it seems like it was coming from the scales. And I have heard/felt it before in other hatchlings, as i recall, mostly when i try to first pop them or straighten them out, just not to the amount I did yesterday on her and went straight to freaking out. She does not seem to be doing it anymore, just a little thin. I am going to attempt to assist feed her today if she does not take the rat fuzzy I just put in there. I will be checking and watching her like a hawk throughout the weekend and if I have anymore issues she will go to the vet first thing Monday morning.