Possible Kidney Failure

Hello,
My BP is 2.5 years old and recently started losing some weight. He's been eating and I thought he was fine until I noticed a slight bulge forming above his tail and vent (not right on top but further up the body not to the middle though), I researched where their organs are located and the bulge seems to fall where the kidneys are. He went a long time without pooping and recently has been pooping and peeing more frequently. I tried to research what could be causing this but I've had a difficult time getting answers. I don't know what to do besides call his vet in the morning. I feel absolutely terrible and am in a bit of a freak out mode. Any information regarding his possible condition or advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

You might be describing the notorious 'sausage butt', or it could be an obstruction. You could try soaking the snake in 'warm' (85F) water and see if that gets things moving. Without a photo--we would just be guessing.

I had a boa pass away from kidney cancer (necropsy confirmed it). The first outward symptom was that the smell of her urine changed; it became really rank, almost like it was burned.

What size feeders has your snake been eating and how often is he fed?

You definitely should talk this over with your vet: the weight loss (if & when eating OK) can suggest cancer, & snakes can get tumors just like anything else, but that's
by NO means a diagnosis. If the bulge is further up (not right above the cloaca) it does suggest maybe an obstruction* of some kind rather than "sausage butt" (needing to eliminate), but do get the help of your vet...we can kick ideas around here but it's not the same as being seen.

Hope it's nothing as serious as you fear. How much of a weight loss are you talking about? Do you weight your snake regularly or is this just a guess? And just because the swelling is "near" the kidneys doesn't mean they're involved for sure. If he's possibly just "backed up", it wouldn't hurt to soak him as Lord Sorril suggested, but also in something that allows him to "swim" in place with you supporting him (like your bath tub)...that motion combined with the warmish water will help a snake to eliminate. (sometimes "explosively"- so don't wear your best silk shirt when you do this, lol)

It's not the sausage butt (I wish it was) the bulge is higher up unfortunately. I did try the soaking and I think it helped, he's peed several more times and had some small poops and the bulge seems to be getting smaller. I'm hoping he was just a bit constipated but I have a vet appointment for him next week just to be safe.

He has been peeing more but that's not very unusual for him (he will typically go to the bathroom several times in the course of a few days and then go a period of time with nothing). I haven't noticed a burning smell the odor seems the same but today I noted no urates just a wet spot. I have a vet appointment for him next week so we can get everything looked at. He eats once a week usually a small rat or the biggest mouse my feeder has available.

The weight loss is just speculation, he looks slightly thiner but he's always been on the small side (not just thin but small in length and structure). The bulge seems to be the kidney area which is what started my concern but it has gotten smaller the past few days (he'd gone number one and two every day for a few days in a row). I did try the soak and i think it helped (he peed lol) and honestly any excrement at this point I'll take after so many days of nothing. I have a vet appointment for him on Thursday and I relayed all of my concerns to them when I called.

I would hold off feeding until after the vet appointment. If there's a blockage you don't want more stuff piled up behind it.

Snakes don't typically "go" (either urates or feces) very often...it's not a daily thing, & often not even once per meal eaten, it can be less often than that & still be normal.

The bulge does suggest a possible blockage...he needs to stay hydrated (which it sounds like he's doing with help) & I agree with bcr229's post above ^ ^ ^ that now
is NOT the time to feed him...wait & see what the vet thinks. It could be something else too, of course, but with any luck, the extra hydration might just let him pass it.

Yeah that's a good idea. Thank you!

- - - Updated - - -

I agree, thank you!

*Follow Up

Hey Everyone,
Sorry I didn't get to this sooner it has been a CRAZY week! Thank you again to everyone who responded/gave advice.
-Barley was diagnosed with Colitis and is currently on antibiotics to clear up the infection. His vet found the bulge was a build up of liquid fecal matter (so not constipated per-say but backed up at the same time. Weird I know) which they managed to evacuate by soaking him (you guys were right!). I was strongly recommended to switch from live feed to F/T and the vet believes a bad rat was how the infection was introduced (from eating it not being bitten). After receiving his general check-up exam they did a Fecal Exam, Gram Stain Exam, Gavage feeding and took a swab for a culture that I should get results for in about a week. Overall they said he looked remarkably healthy for being so sick and that I brought him in early enough that they believe the infection hasn't spread to other parts of the body. They gave me Zosyn which I am administering at 0.09ml every two days and I'm supposed to hold off feeding for 2 weeks. I'm incredibly grateful that I have a good exotic vet that I trust (I consulted several before settling on this guy 4 years ago, so I'm not just saying this). While Barley lost significant weight fighting the infection he was eating until I cut him off last week prior to our appt. and I'm hopeful that he will transition to F/T. If he refuses to eat after we finish up them meds I will take him in for another tube feed to keep him going. Any questions/concerns, advice for switching feed, or just plain well wishing for my danger noodle would be appreciated :)

Just keeping you & your BP in my "good thoughts" for a speedy recovery.