ball python possibly constipated? please help.

So I got a ball python almost 3 months ago, when I got her the pet store told me she ate the day before.I haven't gotten her to eat anything since. I've tried frozen, live, smaller sizes on both but she shows no interest. She has been pooping but they are small piles. Lately she has been less active but I noticed down near her tail it's slightly for lack of term swollen looking. Does it sound like constipation or could it be something else? My regular reptile vets is out of town but I would like more professional opinions on if I should take her to a different vet asap or if it's fine waiting for her normal to get back in two weeks.

How are you trying to feed her? Are you dangling the food, leaving it?

Sent from my SM-G386T using Tapatalk

Also what are your Temps and humidity?

Sent from my SM-G386T using Tapatalk

I've tried dangling it and just leaving it. At one point it seemed like she was showing interest when I had a thawed pinkie just sitting there but didn't try striking. As for temperature the cool side is about 75-80 and the warm side is about 90 I'm not sure on the humidity.

A pink is much too small.

How are you warming them? A mouse body temp is sightly over 100 degrees so you need to mimic that with the feeder you offer.

I was not tap water.

First tell us more about the snake: How old is she? What does she weigh? Has she lost weight since you got her?



My guess is you've got husbandry issues and this is why your snake won't eat.

What are you running for equipment? (UTH? Bulbs? CHE?) How are you regulating heat sources?
What are you measuring temps/humidity with? and where are you measuring temps?
What type/size enclosure is she in?
Does she have 2 proper hides?


Also, you said pinkie. Pinky mice are way too small for a BP. They eat hoppers for their first few meals only and then start on small adult mice or fuzzy rats. Once they hit about 200 grams prey size should be upped again.

As far as constipation goes, your snake probably isn't constipated if it hasn't eaten in months.


Can you send pics of your setup and the snake? Pics will help us help you more.

Trust me I started at hoppers when she still wasn't eating the pet store I got her at recommended trying a pinkie to see if she will eat. As for warming them if they are frozen I put them in hot water and let them de-thaw.
age wise she is about 5-7 months I believe not sure on her weight but she doesn't feel or look like she's lost weight.
I have regular heat lamps one 70 watt on her cool side and 100 watt on the warm side. I have 3 seperate temperature gauges one on warm and cool plus one in the middle. Don't have a current humidity gauge (previous one stopped working needed to wait for a day off) 40 gallon I believe and she has 3 hiding huts.

At that age you really need to get her eating. I would suggest a smaller enclosure to start. A 40 gallon is huge for a juvenile BP.
Have you been handling her?

Are your thermometers stick-on dial style or digital?
No UTH?
No thermostat?

Even hoppers are too small. Feeding the appropriate sized prey may help.
Are you offering inside her enclosure or using a feeding tub?

If you're running both 100W and 70W lights in a 40-breeder tank it's going to be too hot and dry unless your room temp is around 60*F. Remove one of the lights and cover/wrap the remainder of the screen top with foil to keep the heat and humidity inside. Add several large water bowls and mist at least once a day to help increase the humidity.

Feed in the evening just after sunset. You may need to try live to get her going.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-hatchling-101

Start here.....

I'd pick up a digital temp gun and figure out what your temps are exactly all over the cage, I use indoor/outdoor thermometers in tank, probe in the hot hide and the device on the cool, to get a quick view of temps to check but always double check with the temp gun. The stick on type are garbage as well as dangerous so don't use those.

Are your heat lamps light bulbs or heat emitters? Ball pythons don't need light so that can bother them, ceramic heat emitters are nice for warmth without the light. All heat sources should be controlled, by a thermostat or bulbs at least on a dimmer but must be constantly monitored if so and temps will change if your ambient room does so you have to keep a close eye on it to stay stable. Stability and proper temps are what reptiles need. Make sure temps are good, there's tight secure hides, leave it alone for a week and offer a live adult mouse after pre-scenting the room with it beforehand. I just leave the mouse in a carrier near the snake cage. Is there discoloration near the tail, red or anything? I also can't see it being constipated without feeding.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kaitlynw

Trust me I started at hoppers when she still wasn't eating the pet store I got her at recommended trying a pinkie to see if she will eat. As for warming them if they are frozen I put them in hot water and let them de-thaw.
age wise she is about 5-7 months I believe not sure on her weight but she doesn't feel or look like she's lost weight.
I have regular heat lamps one 70 watt on her cool side and 100 watt on the warm side. I have 3 seperate temperature gauges one on warm and cool plus one in the middle. Don't have a current humidity gauge (previous one stopped working needed to wait for a day off) 40 gallon I believe and she has 3 hiding huts.

---

The reason your animal is not eating is your HUSBANDRY, it is way off for your animal not to mention the type of prey you are feeding. Follow the link provided by Pit if the animal is above 200 grams substitute the 6 quarts tub for a 12 or 15 one , it is important to get the animal on track asap for you, that means proper husbandry, feeding properly sized prey that the animal sees as prey, etc

Now to come back on the original question the bulging near the vent can be gas, stuck solid urate (which could indicate dehydration), or fecal matter (an animal has to eat to pass fecal matter especially after 3 months)

Do you have a picture of the issue? Did you palpate the area and can you describe how it feels.