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Ball Python... Spasming?

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  • 12-17-2018, 07:00 PM
    Hawkshadow
    Ball Python... Spasming?
    Hello all.
    I'm concerned about my adult male ball python. He's been having full body spasms for a few days now and I can't begin to fathom why. I took him to the vet and my vet couldn't think of anything either. She said it could be IBD but it wasn't likely because the ONLY sign he's showing is the awkward full body spasms. It's not the normal, 'don't touch me' twitch that they sometimes give off either. The only thing she could think of is maybe he's stressed? I'm babysitting a few snakes (mostly ball pythons, but also a few colubrids) for a friend and she said even though he can't see them that he could smell them or something and that could be stressing him out. I've noticed though that it usually happens when I pick him up (i.e. to take him out of his tub for cleaning or bring him closer to me because he's trying to escape off the back of my chair and I have cats) or put him down back in his enclosure. He's just a normal morph, not a spider or anything fancy.
    I moved him into a 40 gallon breeder today in hopes that that will help because his old tub was too small (though he'd been in that for nearly 5 months with no problem). His heat is fine, 90-95 on the warm end, and he's never had any issues shedding. He eats fantastic once a week--small rats for right now until I use up the last of them and move him to mediums. He was a rescue that a friend gave me and was underweight when I got him but he's 1400 grams ish now. He's only done this once before, about 3 months ago, when I used to work at a pet store and brought him up there for a 'Meet the Critter' day. I haven't brought him up there since and don't mess with him a whole lot other than to clean his enclosure and sometimes have him on me when I'm watching a movie at home. He doesn't spasm every time I go to pick him up or put him down either. I picked him up once at the vet and he was totally fine (albeit after spasming when I tried to take him out of his pillow case at first and then again when he was out and I went to pick him up the first time).
    The vet touched all along his spine to see if it was a pain reaction and he did react a bit (just a 'someone's touching me' muscle tense) when she got to a certain point, but then she had me do the same and not even a twitch. I just... I don't understand and I'm worried about him because I KNOW it's not normal behavior.
    Does anyone have an knowledge of this or know why it's started all of a sudden? Dx
    https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...68886784_n.jpg
  • 12-17-2018, 07:14 PM
    Bogertophis
    I would say his heat should NOT be that much over 90*...excess heat can cause neurological damage as can misuse of chemicals on or near a snake (like

    anything he could have inhaled) & including mite treatments. When his warm end of cage was up to 95*, what was the lowest temperature available to

    him & what was the ambient/average in his enclosure. You say this occurred once 3 mos. ago too, so it suggests to me that whatever is causing this might

    have occurred before you got him. Maybe he was dropped & sustained a spinal injury & when he moves a certain way it causes this reaction...did your vet

    do an x-ray? (IBD isn't likely as he'd be dead by now, plus it's not as common as most of us fear) Maybe a broken rib that's jabbing him inward? I'm just

    brainstorming, btw... and the only other thing I can think of is something like a brain tumor (it's always that in the movies, lol, except the patient is never a

    snake!) I don't think snakes get epilepsy...at least I've never heard of it, but maybe they can & no one has studied it to be sure. Many things in snakes have

    yet to be studied, they just aren't a high priority, unfortunately. I'd keep him 'low-stress' for sure...you might never get an exact answer to what this is.

    And by the way, he LOOKS healthy in the photo. Poor fella...
  • 12-17-2018, 07:46 PM
    Bogertophis
    How long have you had him in all?

    Do you live in an apartment or rental that could be sprayed for pests when you're not home (& the snake is...)???

    Is there any pesticides or volatile chemicals in his vicinity now, or were there ever? How about paint? furniture stain?

    Do you smoke? If so, how much? (remember snakes pretty much have only one functional lung...)
  • 12-17-2018, 08:15 PM
    Hawkshadow
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    I use Natural Chemistry Healthy Habitat to clean his cage and I live with a roommate who owns the house, so no one ever comes in to spray pesticides in my room... In fact, I'm pretty sure there are no pesticides or anything beyond Pine Sol being used anywhere in the house or vicinity of.
    The last time his temp could have gotten that high (I estimated it got to that temp because my room gets hot sometimes) was during the summer. It usually stays about 80-85, lowest I've seen is 77. He's never had mites so I've never had to treat him.
    As far as I've known, he's only fallen once and that was yesterday when he spasmed when I had to take him out because he got his towel sopping wet overnight and he landed in the litter box for 2 seconds on his belly (he's on aspen now in the 40b).
    Vet didn't do an x-ray or even suggest it (her and the vet tech were pretty scared of him because when they told me to put him on the ground to see him move, he struck at her once).
    I don't smoke and no one in the house smokes, plus his breathing looks normal.
    I fed him yesterday and he ate perfectly fine, just like normal.
    I've had him.... Since roughly April 2018. So about 9 months.
  • 12-17-2018, 08:29 PM
    Zincubus
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    There was no plug in air fresheners close by or anything ??

    I sprayed some carpet cleaner ( Shake n Vac) near one of my vivs and almost instantly the Corn snake startled bouncing of the walls ... only lasted 30 seconds but it was scary .. no lasting effects thankfully


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
  • 12-17-2018, 08:41 PM
    Hawkshadow
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    I mean, I sometimes have a Renuzit open or use my wax warmer or light an incense cone. But would that really cause full body spasms?
  • 12-17-2018, 08:43 PM
    zina10
    I bet he is doing that male bucking that some males do when females are nearby (I'm talking about Ball Pythons, y'all..)

    I had my male for 6 years before I decided to breed him to the females. He only occasionally did that "get off twitch". Once he got to be around the girls, though, whew !!!

    Every time I tried to lift him out of the tub his whole body would arch and he tried to literally fling my hand off of him. Once picked up he would buck hard enough to almost jump out of my hand !!! He was soooooooooooo TOUCHY during that time. After three or four bucks he was usually done after picking him up.

    He stopped doing that after breeding season. Went back to normal. I've had a few snakes do that "back off" fling with their body. Even seen them bounce small rodents off of them. But the only time I've seen this so extreme was in my male. During breeding season.

    Is one of the snakes you are watching a female ? Could you have handled a female and then, while her scent was on you, handled the male?

    They certainly can smell a female, one nearby, and on you as well. Maybe he is in breeding mode and moody and twitchy.

    Of course you need to rule out any overheating, toxins, etc.
  • 12-17-2018, 08:47 PM
    Bogertophis
    I once had an old snake that was given to me (unwanted) that ate good but never moved around much (even to defecate)...she didn't present any neurological
    symptoms (like spasms) but when my vet x-ray'd her, it showed she'd had a back injury. Still think an x-ray might be a good idea, pity your snake scared the vet. :rolleyes:
    Snakes that are put on the floor/ground frequently feel extremely defensive because suddenly we're looking so huge & menacing...it's typical for snakes.

    I was thinking that something happened to this snake before he was given to you, maybe a fall, or a chemical exposure, but the way the symptoms are increasing
    makes me wonder about other things that could be going on too. And remember that when animals are re-homed, previous owners frequently either don't tell the
    whole story (if they know), minimize what issues they know about, or have no clue what's going on either.

    Sounds to me like maybe a second vet opinion, someone more experienced with snakes? No way we can tell you what this is...only help you speculate here.

    BTW, don't use Pine Sol around snakes (fyi & I'm not saying you did)...it's in the same category as cedar shavings, very irritating & likely toxic to snakes etc.
  • 12-17-2018, 08:49 PM
    Hawkshadow
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    I mean, I'm sure there's at least one female in the bunch, but I haven't handled any of them except the massive female burmese python and I didn't handle him the same day. Do you know where I can find a video of a male ball python 'bucking'? It could be that potentially... I didn't know they did that. It just seems so unnatural like his whole body is thrashing around.

    Also, I haven't used Pine Sol in the room that he's in, but the homeowner uses it on the floors in the rest of the house. I can try getting an x-ray once I have some more money saved up or maybe another vet. And yeah, I figured that's why he struck. She got down on his level to look at him more closely and he struck, but he's never done that before and he only did it once. Likely just intimidated. Makes sense.
  • 12-17-2018, 08:49 PM
    Bogertophis
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Hawkshadow View Post
    I mean, I sometimes have a Renuzit open or use my wax warmer or light an incense cone. But would that really cause full body spasms?

    Not likely...IMO Just had to ask, trying to think of all possible causes. People who have birds would have used Renuzit & complained by now if that affected their pets,
    & birds are typically more sensitive than snakes to stuff.
  • 12-17-2018, 08:52 PM
    Bogertophis
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by zina10 View Post
    I bet he is doing that male bucking that some males do when females are nearby (I'm talking about Ball Pythons, y'all..)

    I had my male for 6 years before I decided to breed him to the females. He only occasionally did that "get off twitch". Once he got to be around the girls, though, whew !!!

    Every time I tried to lift him out of the tub his whole body would arch and he tried to literally fling my hand off of him. Once picked up he would buck hard enough to almost jump out of my hand !!! He was soooooooooooo TOUCHY during that time. After three or four bucks he was usually done after picking him up.

    He stopped doing that after breeding season. Went back to normal. I've had a few snakes do that "back off" fling with their body. Even seen them bounce small rodents off of them. But the only time I've seen this so extreme was in my male. During breeding season....

    Interesting...I've never heard of that, nor seen it, even when I had an adult breedable group of BPs of both sexes, some years ago.
    I HAVE had snakes (all kinds) do the "shove off" maneuver, but I wouldn't call that a whole body spasm...:confusd:
  • 12-17-2018, 09:10 PM
    Hawkshadow
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    Here's a video of what he's doing, if that will help.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1-n...ature=youtu.be
    Maybe it IS a breeding thing...? Hopefully >.<
    That's the tub he was in. I managed to get the lid on after putting him in it before he started (he bucked the lid right off the first time and nearly escaped).
  • 12-17-2018, 09:16 PM
    redshepherd
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Hawkshadow View Post
    Here's a video of what he's doing, if that will help.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1-n...ature=youtu.be
    Maybe it IS a breeding thing...? Hopefully >.<
    That's the tub he was in. I managed to get the lid on after putting him in it before he started (he bucked the lid right off the first time and nearly escaped).

    I don't know what it is, but that looks wild... I think it's definitely not breeding related, but I haven't heard of that being a thing before. It could be a neurological issue?

    I hope you figure out what it is!
  • 12-17-2018, 09:21 PM
    zina10
    Yes, he did exactly that ! But never just on his own in the tub.

    He only did it when I touched him or tried to pick him up. Once he did it so wildly he almost threw himself right out of my grip !!! I started calling him a spazz !!

    Since your snake is doing that seemingly randomly, it does seem odd.
  • 12-17-2018, 09:22 PM
    zina10
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Bogertophis View Post
    Interesting...I've never heard of that, nor seen it, even when I had an adult breedable group of BPs of both sexes, some years ago.
    I HAVE had snakes (all kinds) do the "shove off" maneuver, but I wouldn't call that a whole body spasm...:confusd:

    Yes, he was the only one who did that.

    And I do know the shoving off thing. I call it bucking, because that is what it reminds me off.

    My male put so much effort into it, it made his whole body jerk. But ONLY when I tried to pick him up to move him into the females enclosure, or to move him to clean the tub. And ONLY during the breeding season. Never before or after. Other then the regular little shove here and there.
  • 12-17-2018, 09:26 PM
    Bogertophis
    Hey what about internal parasites??? Have you had a fecal done for this snake???

    I'm still thinking about something bothering him internally...
  • 12-17-2018, 09:26 PM
    Hawkshadow
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    I mean, it's kind of random. He doesn't just do it when he's in his enclosure. That video was right after I put him back in after cleaning his sopping wet towel because he knocked over his water bowl. Normally (I say that even though it's only been happening for the past 4-5 days) it's when I go to pick him up or put him down.

    But your snake never had any major issues when he did that? You said he stopped after breeding season, did he do it every season?

    When he did it months ago it wasn't so aggressive of a spasm. And it was only once.

    No, I haven't had a fecal done on him. The vet only offered to prescribe pain meds but I denied it because I didn't think I could get him to take it and he didn't appear to be in pain in any way.
  • 12-17-2018, 09:30 PM
    Bogertophis
    I WISH it was something to do with breeding, but I don't believe that...that doesn't look right to me at all. And the fact that it's increasing should tell you something.

    Pain meds might help but don't get to the root of the problem anyway. Some kinds of internal parasites (worms) can migrate & cause a lot of havoc, and
    killing them off aggressively all at once can also kill the snake if & when they die off & block vital functions. Please take a fresh stool sample to vet. You
    said he was underweight when you got him...and now with you he's a good eater...maybe enough for himself plus "guests"...??? When snakes eat well,
    so too do their parasites.

    How long after he eats does he defecate?
  • 12-17-2018, 09:36 PM
    zina10
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Hawkshadow View Post
    I mean, it's kind of random. He doesn't just do it when he's in his enclosure. That video was right after I put him back in after cleaning his sopping wet towel because he knocked over his water bowl. Normally (I say that even though it's only been happening for the past 4-5 days) it's when I go to pick him up or put him down.

    But your snake never had any major issues when he did that? You said he stopped after breeding season, did he do it every season?

    When he did it months ago it wasn't so aggressive of a spasm. And it was only once.

    No, I haven't had a fecal done on him. The vet only offered to prescribe pain meds but I denied it because I didn't think I could get him to take it and he didn't appear to be in pain in any way.

    Sorry, I've just now seen this post.

    Mine only did it when I reached for him, as soon as I touched him to pick him up. Whether I picked him up to put him into a females enclosure, or back into his own. Or into a holding tub, while I cleaned his.

    It was clearly a reaction to being touched/picked up. It always seemed to me that he was either moody/excited/combative.

    This only started during the breeding season. Never before. Stopped as soon as breeding season was over and he started eating again. Then he was back to the calm sweetheart he was before.

    During the episodes he never hissed, never attempted to bite or strike. Just that rather violent bucking around like a bronco. It always only lasted a couple of seconds (few bucks) and he was done, even if I still held him. It was directly related to that first touch/picking him up.

    I hope its nothing serious. Just keep an eye on him, write down any changes and if things get worse, take him back to the Vet for some diagnostic workups. (blood/stool/etc..)
  • 12-17-2018, 09:37 PM
    Hawkshadow
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    Uhm, I haven't really timed it. I just fed him last night, I can keep an eye out this time. I know he defecated twice last week though. The second time was Friday night, not sure when the first was. I usually feed on Mondays. What are the possible ways of a snake getting an internal parasite?
  • 12-17-2018, 09:49 PM
    Bogertophis
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Hawkshadow View Post
    Uhm, I haven't really timed it. I just fed him last night, I can keep an eye out this time. I know he defecated twice last week though. The second time was Friday night, not sure when the first was. I usually feed on Mondays. What are the possible ways of a snake getting an internal parasite?

    Mostly from eating live rodents (from a bad source), before or after you got him. They can take a while to multiply. Some kinds of worms they can pick up
    also just by being in the "wrong place" on the ground, usually grass; they are left behind by wildlife or loose pets. There's different kinds of "worms". For
    that matter, going barefoot can get us in trouble too.

    FYI, the worst case of worms I've seen in a snake was in a wild caught "rescued" rattlesnake removed from a golf course & brought to me. (a temporary resident that
    went back out after treatment) I hid a light dose of dewormer in the oral cavity of the dead large mouse I fed him, and about a day later, he defecated a pile that put
    me off spaghetti for weeks...:rolleyes: Countless number of live worms crawling away (& not getting very far on paper towels before they dried up & died anyway). I gave him
    multiple dosed meals to clean him out. I know some vets want to use stronger meds to get the job done fast, but IMO it's not always safe for the snake.

    It makes sense that internal worms would give some nasty cramps, which fits what your snake is doing, & the deworming med. is safe & easy to give for a snake that's
    feeding eagerly. Might be worth a try, or ask your (or any) vet.
  • 12-17-2018, 09:53 PM
    Sonny1318
    He kinda looks like he’s over heating, but that’s just my 2 cents. 95 degrees in cold weather, sometimes
    the heat works better then usual depending on outside temps and you’re hitting 98, 99 degrees no problem. I would really double check that.
  • 12-17-2018, 09:54 PM
    Hawkshadow
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    Hmm. I see. Perhaps he does have something.
    He's been strictly on FT since I've had him, but perhaps before?
    I'll call my vet tomorrow and ask about pricing on that and try to get a fecal done ASAP.
    Thank you guys for all the help.
    Hoping he's just a weirdo and this is his breeding behavior, but I'll continue to keep an eye on him to see if this worsens or gets better over the next few weeks/months. <3

    He looks like he's overheating? How so? What does an overheating snake look like?
  • 12-17-2018, 09:58 PM
    CALM Pythons
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by zina10 View Post
    Yes, he did exactly that ! But never just on his own in the tub.

    He only did it when I touched him or tried to pick him up. Once he did it so wildly he almost threw himself right out of my grip !!! I started calling him a spazz !!

    Since your snake is doing that seemingly randomly, it does seem odd.

    Retics & Burms are famous for this too Lucy... they will also arch several feet up the wall, whats going on with this BP idk. Doesn’t seem good.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  • 12-17-2018, 09:58 PM
    Bogertophis
    Please do keep us in the loop here...I hope he gets well & soon. A fecal shouldn't be that expensive, especially since you've already seen the vet with him- you just collect a fresh sample & drop it off to them. (it's a lot less scary than a real snake, lol...) Don't wait too long to do the fecal...IF this is the problem, the signs he is showing means it's reached the serious level...he needs help.
  • 12-17-2018, 10:01 PM
    CALM Pythons
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    Make sure he has a gradient. I might have misunderstood but It sounded as you said when your rooms warm it cam be 95 otherwise 80’s and no cooler than 77. He needs 80 at one end and 90 at the other. Not the same temp all over.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  • 12-17-2018, 10:04 PM
    Hawkshadow
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    I meant my room stays around 80, lowest I've seen was 77 in the tub he was in prior. He had a heat mat that got one side up to 85/90, maaaaybe 95 if my room got exceptionally hot during the summer. I never actually clocked it at 95, I just meant that was the hottest it would ever possibly be. Sorry for the confusion.
  • 12-17-2018, 10:21 PM
    CALM Pythons
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Hawkshadow View Post
    I meant my room stays around 80, lowest I've seen was 77 in the tub he was in prior. He had a heat mat that got one side up to 85/90, maaaaybe 95 if my room got exceptionally hot during the summer. I never actually clocked it at 95, I just meant that was the hottest it would ever possibly be. Sorry for the confusion.

    Well it seems you understand husbandry so Id start with a New Vet and Blood work up etc.. as any vet that looks at your snakes and doesn’t do any panels is as useless as us just speculating.
    Also if he was in a smaller tub than the 40G breeder in a room thats aprox 80 I’m also thinking there wasn’t much of a gradient at all with the UTH.
    Best of Luck and get to the Vet. Keep us informed.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  • 12-18-2018, 02:46 PM
    Zincubus
    Ball Python... Spasming?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Hawkshadow View Post
    I mean, I sometimes have a Renuzit open or use my wax warmer or light an incense cone. But would that really cause full body spasms?

    Well some are very sensitive so it's a slight possibility I guess ..

    I only lightly sprinkled carpet cleaning powder near my Corn snake and she went beserk for a few seconds ..


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
  • 12-18-2018, 06:38 PM
    FollowTheSun
    I just watched the video and honestly it looks like seizures. I am not an expert on snakes, but I have seen plenty of humans have seizures. He just looks like he has completely lost control and is having spasms for a minute.

    I sure hope you get to the bottom of it soon! :(
  • 12-18-2018, 07:28 PM
    Bogertophis
    Hey Hawkshadow, how's he doing today? Hope you got a good price quote (for fecal) from the vet. Even a regular (not exotic) vet should be able to do that,
    & honestly I'm surprised it wasn't suggested when you were there, but I surmise they aren't as used to dealing with snakes as you may have thought previously.
  • 12-19-2018, 09:24 AM
    bcr229
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Bogertophis View Post
    Hey Hawkshadow, how's he doing today? Hope you got a good price quote (for fecal) from the vet. Even a regular (not exotic) vet should be able to do that,
    & honestly I'm surprised it wasn't suggested when you were there, but I surmise they aren't as used to dealing with snakes as you may have thought previously.

    While a non-exotic vet can run a fecal, bear in mind they don't know to test for parasites like crypto. They look for the same parasites that would typically infest dogs and cats.
  • 12-19-2018, 06:47 PM
    Hawkshadow
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    He's been fine thus far, I haven't messed with him and he hasn't reacted like he was. I got a price for the fecal and am currently waiting for him to eliminate in order to bring it up to the vet. As far as how experienced the vet is with reptiles? I can't say. There aren't many exotic vets around here for me to be picky with. If I need anything more than the fecal I'm going to look around though. I've had great experiences with the cats and dogs I've brought there. My normal vet got her own practice in another state (she was an exotic vet too, though I never had to see her for one) and I've been bouncing around between all the different ones there since. They're not as good as her, but it's better than nothing.
    If nothing shows up on the fecal, I'm going to wait a couple months and see if his behavior changes. Maybe it really is because of the snakes I'm babysitting or breeding season or something. I'm going to leave him be for a while though, I don't want to stress him out and make matters worse.
    Thank you all for all your help. I'll keep you posted on the fecal results.
  • 12-19-2018, 06:55 PM
    Bogertophis
    I hope it's something that's an easy fix, like a fecal could show...I doubt it's a reaction to the other snakes but :confusd: I'm in a similar situation where I now live-
    none of the local vets really specialize in exotics, but a few will see them & do their best to help. As you said, better than nothing.

    Maybe he had a gas pain, did you feed beans to his rodents? :D
  • 12-29-2018, 10:57 PM
    Hawkshadow
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    So it took him a while, but Kirito finally pooped. I think it was because he was in shed. He shed perfectly fine, like a good scaley baby, and I got his feces tested. I asked them what exactly it was tested for after getting the results today, but they did tell me it came back negative. So, yay?
    Also, my friends got their snakes back on Christmas. So maybe that will help. Cross my fingers.
    As far as I've seen, he hasn't had any spasms in the new tank. There was one time where he got a bit tense and kind of arched up where the hide accidentally touched him after I misted inside it, but it wasn't a full spasm. Then again, I haven't messed with him since I put him in there. I've just been misting and he ate in there once already, so he's still eating great.
    I'm not going to mess with him until February after I go to a breeder convention I'm planning on going to. That'll give him plenty of time to relax and maybe whatever it is will pass by then.
  • 12-29-2018, 11:45 PM
    Bogertophis
    I'm glad for the update & the negative fecal test. :gj: I wonder if he has a back issue...like people, where if he moves a certain way, they get a pain spasm
    which subsides but is never really gone, just re-appears on occasion? Seems more like a structural issue than any sort of illness. Not easy to diagnose but
    I'm glad you could at least rule something out for now.
  • 12-30-2018, 01:27 AM
    Hawkshadow
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    The vet thought that too potentially, but she felt along his spine and the only reaction she got was a little twitch when she touched him. Then I did the same and got no reaction at all. He's moving normally too, as far as I can tell. I'll keep a closer eye on him when he's out of his hide.
  • 12-30-2018, 01:33 AM
    Bogertophis
    Yes, do keep a close eye on him for clues... I feel sorry for vets trying to diagnose snakes, lol...it's not easy, since they don't even vocalize for pain.
  • 12-30-2018, 12:39 PM
    zina10
    I hope he will be alright.

    It may not be typical, but like I said, my male would writhe and jump just like that, if touched. Very dramatically so..

    And ONLY during the breeding season, while he was used for breeding. He was a real spazz and anything touching him got him to arch up and "jump around". Only when touched. Never any other time.

    I hope it is nothing serious, please keep up up to date !!
  • 01-01-2019, 10:52 PM
    Hawkshadow
    So I got a reply on what was tested for in the fecal. Congrats, Kirito does not have hookworm or roundworm... -.- That's it. That's all that was tested for.
  • 01-01-2019, 11:23 PM
    zina10
    How has he been doing?

    Has he been doing any weird movements? When touched? On his own?

    If, when touched, for how long ?
  • 01-02-2019, 09:14 PM
    Hawkshadow
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    I've been trying not to touch him.
    He hasn't shown anything out of the ordinary except he didn't eat this week, though I suspect that to be due to being in the new cage. It's only two weeks since I moved him and only the first time he's not eaten. Not too concerned, he'll likely eat next week.

    I just messed with him a bit and he did jerk, but it was more of a "don't touch me" jerk and he was acting really defensive. Just testing the waters a bit, drew the butt end of some tongs lightly along his back to see if I could get a reaction and all I got was the initial "Hey, something's touching me" movement where he shuffled a tiny bit. Then tried to reach under him and pick him up and he did a slight jerk, but I wouldn't call it a spasm. He stopped when I backed off and then I decided to leave him be. I don't want to stress him out... plus he broke my cheap retractable snake hook when he spasmed when I moved him to the new cage (I usually lift him with it to slide my hand under him so I don't come at him from above like a predator). Not going to be able to get a new one until February and he was acting super defensive when I was messing with him. I figured it in both our best interests to leave him be, so as not to overwhelm him and not to get bit myself (the only time I've ever been bitten was a baby spider who decided to latch on and, while it didn't necessarily hurt, it was't pleasant. My friend had to pry him off and I don't have anyone to help with that if he decides to act the same way--not that I think he will). Plus, it won't hurt him to not be handled for a couple months.
  • 01-12-2019, 04:58 PM
    Hawkshadow
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    So he hasn't eaten in two weeks now. I'm quite concerned, mostly because I'm an overprotective pet owner and he's never had a problem eating before. I know he could go longer without food, but I don't like it.
    So.
    I'm getting him a longer tub and keeping him in that to help with the humidity issues I've been having (his other one wasn't very long at all). I'm also going to be moving my dwarf reticulated python into the same size tub Kirito was in prior. Heat mats on both of them, overall room temp around 75-80 F.
    I still have yet to pick him up or attempt to mess with him, but in the next day or so I'll have to in order to move him. So I'll let you know how that goes. Hopefully he's back to his normal self.... Hopefully.
  • 01-12-2019, 05:47 PM
    Bogertophis
    Good luck, Hawkshadow...it never hurts to hope.
  • 01-13-2019, 05:50 PM
    zina10
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    Honesty though, if you are going to keep Ball Pythons..you will have fasts. Whether you like it or not. And esp. with males and in Wintertime.

    It's simply a past of their genetic makeup, their system is engineered for that lifestyle. People just need to understand that and not worry about it.

    You wouldn't throw food in front of a hibernating bear because you don't like them not eating so long.

    True, Ball pythons don't hibernate. But they fast. They are cold blooded and eat a lot part of the year and take breaks when they had enough.

    Some more so then others, but if you feed correctly, they will fast eventually.

    As long as healthy and good weight, there isn't a thing to worry about [emoji4]




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  • 01-13-2019, 06:36 PM
    Bogertophis
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by zina10 View Post
    ...You wouldn't throw food in front of a hibernating bear because you don't like them not eating so long....

    Honestly I wouldn't throw ANYTHING in front of a hibernating bear, just in case he ingested some coffee at the last picnic. ;)
  • 01-13-2019, 06:42 PM
    cletus
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by zina10 View Post
    Honesty though, if you are going to keep Ball Pythons..you will have fasts. Whether you like it or not. And esp. with males and in Wintertime.

    It's simply a past of their genetic makeup, their system is engineered for that lifestyle. People just need to understand that and not worry about it.

    You wouldn't throw food in front of a hibernating bear because you don't like them not eating so long.

    True, Ball pythons don't hibernate. But they fast. They are cold blooded and eat a lot part of the year and take breaks when they had enough.

    Some more so then others, but if you feed correctly, they will fast eventually.

    As long as healthy and good weight, there isn't a thing to worry about [emoji4]


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    This. It can be nerve wracking but it comes with the territory.
  • 01-13-2019, 08:42 PM
    Hawkshadow
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...113_183135.jpg

    So I moved him back into a tub today :3
    Good news, he let me pick him up without a hitch! No spasming or anything ^^
    I'll continue trying to feed him. I know it's nothing to worry about, only two weeks for an adult his size. He is a good weight and all. I still don't like it though. But I'll continue to watch him and if he doesn't eat within a few months, then I'll worry. I'll try to mess with him in a few days and see if he reacts then. Hopefully this weird spasm thing was just a stage and he's done with it now.

  • 01-13-2019, 08:58 PM
    Bogertophis
    I hope so too. Fingers officially crossed here for him to be OK.
  • 01-15-2019, 11:45 PM
    Hawkshadow
    Re: Ball Python... Spasming?
    I got him out today.
    He was active in his tub. Picked him right up, no spasm or anything. I think he might be okay now... I don't want to get my hopes up, but things are looking good ^^ Still not sure what caused it, but it seems to have passed now.

    Now I just have to wait for him to eat again. I'll give him one more week trying frozen, in case it was all the moving around, then try live and see if he takes it. It'll have been a month then... He's 1324 grams though (he was underweight at 770 when I got him in... March?), so he's a good weight now!

    Thank you guys for all the support. I'll post again when he eats.
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