Please help!

Oh God what did I do
I had May out this morning and was going to weigh her. Shes active, and getting big, so I needed something to put her in while I weighed her. There was a blender bottle on the counter and I grabbed that (should've gotten something that was due to be washed but oh well). I helped her in once I zeroed the scale (this would only take a few seconds). 344g. I sat the lid very loosely on the bottle (thought that would keep her in I guess) and went to write that on her notebook, looking away for a few seconds again, and wrote it down. When I looked back, the top half of her was out of the hole in the lid! Right where she started to get big, and she was stuck. I tried to gently get her to back up, but that did nothing [emoji30] and she was trying to go forwards. I knew what had to happen. I massaged her out of there.
Ive heard stories of snakes going through small spaces and puncturing something... I checked her for any brusing or marks but I saw no sign of internal bleeding (is it the same on snakes than it is on humans?). I heard a noise when we got about 3/4 down her body, like a high pitched squeak? I don't know if it was her or the bottle... Shes acting completely like herself though, curled up in her favorite place in her tank, she acted fine after it happened too. I put her back in her tank but Ill be watching her like a hawk. Please try to spare me on the harsh comments, ive already lectured myself plenty. Sorry the pic is blurry, didnt look at it till I put her back [emoji29] Thanks!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...43770dcae0.jpg

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

You'll have to wait & see, I guess. I sure hope she's alright...they can break ribs or have internal bleeding etc. The noise you heard, the high-pitched
squeak, might have been a forced exhale...that's my guess, anyway.

Hindsight is 20:20...never let a snake near any opening they can get stuck in. Their scales are directional, backing up isn't an option, or at least, not a
good one. Outdoors, snakes are often killed when they get stuck trying to go thru bird-netting or some types of fencing that people use.

Gee, what a disastrous week-end this is turning out to be? not only you...

Ok. She seemed just fine, she was crawling through my hands on our way back to the tank. Is any of this fatal? Does she need a vet? I know Ill NEVER let ANY snake near a hole like that again.. What exactly is a forced exhale?

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

Was she struggling or trying to get through on her own??

when you say massages through. Care to elaborate.

Coujd you have cut it off her?

did you use anything to lubricate her ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Phillydubs

Was she struggling or trying to get through on her own??

when you say massages through. Care to elaborate.

Coujd you have cut it off her?

did you use anything to lubricate her ?

---

Yea, she was tensing and letting go to get through (Does that make sense), just like they slither. I helped her by pushing really gently and feeling the part that was through. I don't think I could've cut it without using a burner or something. I thought about that, but the plastic was way too thick to cut with scissors and it would've taken a long time. No I didn't use anything [emoji20]

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

Here she is now, she's been here since I put her back in, but she did react when I opened the doors (turned her head towards me)https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5bfba6d027.jpg

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

IF she was able to work through by way of massage and nothing forceful I think she will be just fine

If she is acting normal, a vet won't be able to see anything or do anything...I'd let her rest. I have no crystal ball, but hopefully she is OK. When this
happened, something to lubricate her scales might have helped a little (water or "KY jelly", vegetable oil is last resort since it won't wash off & messes
up future shed)...but PREVENTION is really the best answer.

Forced exhale: the hole compressed her body & forced the air upwards out of her lungs- you might have heard a noise from the air going past moisture
in her throat & nose. Not good...hopefully nothing tore inside her in the process? As I said, let her rest, watch for any unusual signs or behavior. And
find a safer way (a small cardboard box?) to weigh her in the future.

Thanks so much. I forgot my family. Was going to the make today (in about an hour), I can stay back to watch her if I need to though. Shes still doing fine, shes lifted her head.


Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

Sounds like your snake is acting normally, it you can hold it place your fingers over the back of its neck and rub down it's back at the top of the ribs(where ribs meet spine) use your index and thumb, do not squeeze it but put slight pressure on the ribs as you slide down it's back. If there is an injury to a rib the snake should let you know (or you might feel something not right) once you reach that spot. If it keeps trying to get out of your hands as in it is acting out of character then maybe not try it and assume an injury. My snake almost likes the back massage kinda, as long as it's not hungry, then it likes me!!

Good luck and remember stressing will only cloud thoughts, you must be one with the snake right now, snakes do not know shame or guilt. Good on ya for asking for help, lots of respect!

I am not an expert, nor have I experienced a broken rib on my snake but this is what I've heard to do in these situations. Now Im thinking google might be helpful in checking for injuries.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...e-broke-a-bone

Google found a reputable source!
A post mentions bruising and swelling for broken bones like with humans. I just scanned through though. Hope this helps!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Springtails&Isopods

Sounds like your snake is acting normally, it you can hold it place your fingers over the back of its neck and rub down it's back at the top of the ribs(where ribs meet spine) use your index and thumb, do not squeeze it but put slight pressure on the ribs as you slide down it's back. If there is an injury to a rib the snake should let you know (or you might feel something not right) once you reach that spot. If it keeps trying to get out of your hands as in it is acting out of character then maybe not try it and assume an injury. My snake almost likes the back massage kinda, as long as it's not hungry, then it likes me!!

Good luck and remember stressing will only cloud thoughts, you must be one with the snake right now, snakes do not know shame or guilt. Good on ya for asking for help, lots of respect!

I am not an expert, nor have I experienced a broken rib on my snake but this is what I've heard to do in these situations. Now Im thinking google might be helpful in checking for injuries.

---

Thanks! I'm not gonna hold her for a while, but ill defiantly keep this in mind :) She's turned around now and seems pretty calm, she's curled up. Do you know if a broken rib is curable? Thanks so much :)

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Springtails&Isopods

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...e-broke-a-bone

Google found a reputable source!
A post mentions bruising and swelling for broken bones like with humans. I just scanned through though. Hope this helps!

---

Thanks so much! Still reading (and rereading lol), super helpful!

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GpBp

Thanks so much. I forgot my family. Was going to the make today (in about an hour), I can stay back to watch her if I need to though. Shes still doing fine, shes lifted her head.


Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

---

*I forgot my family was going to the lake today

My phones all sorts of crazy
Should I stay back and watch her? Well be gone for a while..

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GpBp

Thanks! I'm not gonna hold her for a while, but ill defiantly keep this in mind :) She's turned around now and seems pretty calm, she's curled up. Do you know if a broken rib is curable? Thanks so much :)

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

---

Broken ribs in snakes typically heal up on their own...but until they do, handling the snake could push a broken rib into other organs & do real damage.

I had for many years a rosy boa that was originally wild caught, then kept by someone else who gave him to me: as such, he was not returnable to the
wild. This snake had several broken ribs that healed*...it was only obvious when he slithered a certain way, then you could see an area that was concave.
His handling by me was minimal & gentle...he wouldn't have been a good pet for kids to handle; he lived to a good old age with me, no issues from ribs.
*he would never say how it happened...:oops:

And you should just go to the lake & let your snake rest.

Just got back and May's still all good. Curled in a ball in the corner with her head poking out. I poked her lightly and shes still really responsive. There's no noticeable dents or swelling on her. Good sign :)

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

Just updating, she's still all good. Sorry for the unnessary update but I'm still so worried! Again no swelling or brusing. She eats on Thursday... What should I do about that?

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

Go ahead & feed her, but feed prey on the small side of what she takes normally. And I assume you feed dead prey??? Do NOT feed her yet if she
has to make a kill...I'd wait a week or so (but preferably do not feed live under any circumstances).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Go ahead & feed her, but feed prey on the small side of what she takes normally. And I assume you feed dead prey??? Do NOT feed her yet if she
has to make a kill...I'd wait a week or so (but preferably do not feed live under any circumstances).

---

Yea, she eats F/T :) She normally eats an adult, Ill do small?

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

She should be fine. If you ran her through your hand and didnt feel any weird lumps or bumps or something out of place, you should be ok. I've had Caesar get stuck in a plastic ring on his plant when he was a baby. He got so stuck, he was writhing around and i had to secure him and cut the ring off him. He had an indent around his body where the ring was and his scales were kind of lifted. Within a day, he was back to normal and finding something else to get into trouble with. Snakes are pretty flexible and can shift their bodies around. Heck they can even shift organs around for when they eat extra large meals.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sauzo

She should be fine. If you ran her through your hand and didnt feel any weird lumps or bumps or something out of place, you should be ok. I've had Caesar get stuck in a plastic ring on his plant when he was a baby. He got so stuck, he was writhing around and i had to secure him and cut the ring off him. He had an indent around his body where the ring was and his scales were kind of lifted. Within a day, he was back to normal and finding something else to get into trouble with. Snakes are pretty flexible and can shift their bodies around. Heck they can even shift organs around for when they eat extra large meals.

---

Thanks so much Sauzo! She was completely stretched out when I got home today (going from one side to the other), so I ran my fingers along her back while she was slithering. I didn't feel anything! Shes been acting just the same too, I got this great pic of our classic Moody May a couple minutes ago :) https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...376f89ae94.jpg

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

Still acting all normal! Ill keep watching her for sure, that's prob my last update if all goes well. Thanks guys, lesson learned!!!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...527fe7b09c.jpg

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

I'm so glad she seems to be alright.

Yeah, she will be fine. Lesson learned lol. I've had quite a few of the 'oh S###' moments with my snakes and other reptiles and amphibians throughout the years lol. Luckily never had anyone get hurt.