My snake had something stuck in his butt.

Okay guys this is something I never thought I would have to say but I think my snake has something stuck in his butt. He was okay before he shed and acted fine but today after he shed I took him out he would thrash around when I tried to handle him. He has never done this. I thought well maybe he needs more hiding places or something and just needs to chill. I take him out again later but notice there's what looks like a small piece of aspen stuck in his butt. I kinda pulled a little at it and his butt opened a little and he thrashed a whole lot. I later saw that the piece was gone but when I popped him I found it inside his vent with what also looked like a small amount of blood. A vet isn't an option due to what all is happening. I am a minor so I don't have a say in whether I can take him or not. Any advice? Last night while I was sleeping I could hear some thrashing in his tub and a few minutes ago I heard some. I hate seeing him so uncomfortable. I haven't gotten any new snakes recently.

I assume you are keeping him on aspen? Sounds to me like he swallowed some aspen along with a meal? Do you feed him in the cage without putting down something
like a box lid so the aspen doesn't stick to the damp prey & get swallowed? That's what you SHOULD be doing, but now, he is likely in pain & yes, should be SEEN by a
qualified herp. vet. Not all vets treat snakes...they need special training & experience to do a good job on reptiles like snakes. This is NOT something YOU can take care
of by yourself, & delay could mean your snake won't survive. Aspen cannot be digested by a snake...their stomach doesn't have the right enzymes to digest plant material-so if he ingested very much, it can get stuck, undigested, and block him up so he cannot defecate. Also, even small pieces -IF sharp- can perforate his intestine. I know many use aspen with apparent safety, but I don't, & never have liked it for snakes.

You (your parents) might try this to find a vet near you: http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

About the only thing I can think of that you could try at home is a soak in lukewarm water, not deeper than the snake is tall (about an inch or less) & see
if it helps any...it might help him to hydrate enough to defecate. Does he seem swollen above his vent (cloaca)? (like he needs to "go"?)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I assume you are keeping him on aspen? Sounds to me like he swallowed some aspen along with a meal? Do you feed him in the cage without putting down something
like a box lid so the aspen doesn't stick to the damp prey & get swallowed? That's what you SHOULD be doing, but now, he is likely in pain & yes, should be SEEN by a
qualified herp. vet. Not all vets treat snakes...they need special training & experience to do a good job on reptiles like snakes. This is NOT something YOU can take care
of by yourself, & delay could mean your snake won't survive. Aspen cannot be digested by a snake...their stomach doesn't have the right enzymes to digest plant material-so if he ingested very much, it can get stuck, undigested, and block him up so he cannot defecate. Also, even small pieces -IF sharp- can perforate his intestine. I know many use aspen with apparent safety, but I don't, & never have liked it for snakes.

You (your parents) might try this to find a vet near you: http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

About the only thing I can think of that you could try at home is a soak in lukewarm water, not deeper than the snake is tall (about an inch or less) & see
if it helps any...it might help him to hydrate enough to defecate. Does he seem swollen above his vent (cloaca)? (like he needs to "go"?)

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I can't go to the vet cause we can't leave the house. I was suggested a bath but also told to give him time to heal too as they have amazing healing capabilities. I just want something to ease the pain. I popped him and got the stuff out. I don't put anything down because a lot of people I know usually don't. He hasn't eaten in a couple months cause it's breeding time. He does not seem to need to go to the bathroom and he only acted like this after he shed.

You can still see a doctor or a vet...but you (your parents) need to call ahead. The only safe pain relief will have to come from a vet...giving him ANY kind of over-the-
counter medication (normally used for people or even for other pets) will be toxic & probably kill him. Sorry, but you'd need a vet for this. If the problem is ingested
aspen, you won't be able to see the blockage, assuming there is one (?).

Any chance his activity is NOT pain, but wanting out of his cage, either to breed or because it's too hot, for example? What are his cage temps? what is his set-up?
Post pics if you can.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

You can still see a doctor or a vet...but you (your parents) need to call ahead. The only safe pain relief will have to come from a vet...giving him ANY kind of over-the-
counter medication (normally used for people or even for other pets) will be toxic & probably kill him. Sorry, but you'd need a vet for this. If the problem is ingested
aspen, you won't be able to see the blockage, assuming there is one (?).

Any chance his activity is NOT pain, but wanting out of his cage, either to breed or because it's too hot, for example? What are his cage temps? what is his set-up?
Post pics if you can.

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He is acting in distress. He huffs at me and just thrashes when I hold him so he seems to be in pain. He has never acted this way. I seriously doubt its impaction because I have never had an issue with it and so have other people. I can't go to the vet because my mom isn't willing to take him cause everything is hectic and she overreacts about everything. His temps are 88 on hot and he is in a tub. I can't post pics because I don't have a phone.

It's asking a LOT to diagnose your snake online, I hope you realize? Not really possible, can only make suggestions & you haven't given much info. Is this your only snake?

You also mention (reading between the lines here) that your friends have snakes too & you "haven't gotten any new snakes lately" so you have others? This could also be
something contagious that you transferred to him by not washing hands etc between handling him & others. His problem (internal pain?) could also be internal parasites-
you'd need to take a fresh stool sample to the vet to diagnose & get the right medicine. Seeing a reptile vet is still your best bet for him to survive & not be "in pain". Only
so much we can do here. You owe this snake proper care, & promptly as you'd want if it were you.

Ask your mom to come online & talk with us...show her this thread...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

It's asking a LOT to diagnose your snake online, I hope you realize? Not really possible, can only make suggestions & you haven't given much info. Is this your only snake?

You also mention (reading between the lines here) that your friends have snakes too & you "haven't gotten any new snakes lately" so you have others? This could also be
something contagious that you transferred to him by not washing hands etc between handling him & others. His problem (internal pain?) could also be internal parasites-
you'd need to take a fresh stool sample to the vet to diagnose & get the right medicine. Seeing a reptile vet is still your best bet for him to survive & not be "in pain". Only
so much we can do here. You owe this snake proper care, & promptly as you'd want if it were you.

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I know it is, I only asked for suggestions. I know you guys aren't vets but since I can't get one I have to do what I can. I have 3 snakes. I couldn't have transferred anything since I haven't come into contact with anyone's snake or reptile in months. I was suggested the bath and told they have amazing healing capabilites by a facebook friend who I have never met in real life. She takes good care of her animals from what I hear. Trust me, I know he needs to see a vet, but I can't do that right now. I showed my mom and she is still set on not leaving. I'm sorry, it isn't going to happen as much as I'd like it to. This snake is important to me as I got him after my dad was shot and he has kept me company for the past two years. He was my first snake. I know that it's bad that I can't get him to a professional but I can't do anything about it.

About all I can say then is good luck. :(

BTW, he still COULD have worms possibly causing this...they only get worse with time. Do you feed live or f/t? Was he ever fed live?

But again, without a good diagnosis (vet!) you should not treat for worms as all medications have some risks & you have to get it right.

Thanks for the advice though, this happened at the worst time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

About all I can say then is good luck. :(

BTW, he still COULD have worms possibly causing this...they only get worse with time. Do you feed live or f/t? Was he ever fed live?

But again, without a good diagnosis (vet!) you should not treat for worms as all medications have some risks & you have to get it right.

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He eats freshly killed rats. The only thing I can think of it being is that when he shed he peed and when he peed (you can kinda see their stuff peep out) he somehow got some small piece of aspen stuck to his stuff and when it went back in it got stuck? I looked like he was bleeding a bit so that's all I can think of it being. This is the first time he has acted like this.

Could he be...horny? He has locked with my females for a bit and has been good at it but with everything going on I planned to stop breeding them. I just read something about males thrashing around when a female is near..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sharon&Sherman

Could he be...horny? He has locked with my females for a bit and has been good at it but with everything going on I planned to stop breeding them. I just read something about males thrashing around when a female is near..

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Not seeing him, who knows? Could be? :confusd: I asked that earlier...when you said he's wanting out, there's a reason for that, maybe too hot, maybe to breed, etc.
I've mostly been addressing your observations- blood, seems in pain, thrashing, aspen stuck in cloaca. Like I said, not seeing him & being online, cannot Dx.

There are no pictures, and what I call a vague description of someone who appears to have limited experience yet you ask people to diagnose your animal online, that is just not gonna happen, you need to see a vet.

Yes times are different and things make it a little more complicated than usual but it can/need to happen, I had to take one if my dogs to a vet last week and things were different, curbside pickup of my dog and the vet talk to me on the phone while I was in my car but vets still see animals and it is still the responsibility of an owner to provide their animals proper care.

Keep in mind that in some state while not providing proper food, shelter etc falls under animal cruelty but some states take is a step further and withdrawing withdrawing necessary veterinary care also falls under animal cruelty.

So some food for the thoughts, not only withdrawing care can be illegal but it is also not the right thing to do.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Not seeing him, who knows? Could be? :confusd: I asked that earlier...when you said he's wanting out, there's a reason for that, maybe too hot, maybe to breed, etc.
I've mostly been addressing your observations- blood, seems in pain, thrashing, aspen stuck in cloaca. Like I said, not seeing him & being online, cannot Dx.

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I hope he's just horny but I just read someones snake did that when being paired so it might be that. The other stuff is concerning though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sharon&Sherman

Okay guys this is something I never thought I would have to say but I think my snake has something stuck in his butt. He was okay before he shed and acted fine but today after he shed I took him out he would thrash around when I tried to handle him. He has never done this. I thought well maybe he needs more hiding places or something and just needs to chill. I take him out again later but notice there's what looks like a small piece of aspen stuck in his butt. I kinda pulled a little at it and his butt opened a little and he thrashed a whole lot. I later saw that the piece was gone but when I popped him I found it inside his vent with what also looked like a small amount of blood. A vet isn't an option due to what all is happening. I am a minor so I don't have a say in whether I can take him or not. Any advice? Last night while I was sleeping I could hear some thrashing in his tub and a few minutes ago I heard some. I hate seeing him so uncomfortable. I haven't gotten any new snakes recently.

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I'm an amateur in all this. Heck, I don't even have a snake (or reptile of any kind sadly) yet. But to me it seems like there may be a chance that it got stuck in the cloaca. May I suggest putting the snake on something like eco-earth mixed with forest floor? (Sorry I don't have a solution to the problem at hand)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PToner

I'm an amateur in all this. Heck, I don't even have a snake (or reptile of any kind sadly) yet. But to me it seems like there may be a chance that it got stuck in the cloaca. May I suggest putting the snake on something like eco-earth mixed with forest floor? (Sorry I don't have a solution to the problem at hand)

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I went ahead and put him on my old schoolwork lol

If it works, it works.

@Stuart_Reptiles, from what I heard, they weren't keeping the animal from the proper care. I know that things can be more difficult with all that's going on. But being rude isn't helping the situation. Being kind and helpful is all that we can do right now. Please just try not to be rude. I get that it wasn't too detailed, but sometimes it's hard to describe what's going on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PToner

@Stuart_Reptiles, from what I heard, they weren't keeping the animal from the proper care. I know that things can be more difficult with all that's going on. But being rude isn't helping the situation. Being kind and helpful is all that we can do right now. Please just try not to be rude. I get that it wasn't too detailed, but sometimes it's hard to describe what's going on.

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Might want to re-read my post ;)
Telling the truth and being rude are 2 different things.

Facts are this is a vague descriptions (didn't know the word vague was rude) and based on that description I can tell the OP has limited experience (didn't know that was rude either) also fact NO ONE can diagnose a snake online, another fact when concerned the animal should be taken to a vet, not being willing to take this animal to a vet when being concerned is withdrawing veterinary care which again can be against the law in some state, now if YOU find this RUDE, well that is YOUR interpretation, reading something between the lines that is not there and maybe being a little too sensitive falls on you (not a good combination on a online forum)

I am not here to hold people's hand I am here to give advice based on FACTS.

Now back to the regular programing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sharon&Sherman

.... with everything going on I planned to stop breeding them. I just read something about males thrashing around when a female is near..

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We agree on this, you shouldn't be breeding them, and not just because of the pandemic...whatever your snakes produce, you're not likely to be able to sell & you should plan on caring for ALL of them for the foreseeable future, as the economic problems will not magically go away. If you cannot or will not take THIS snake to the vet, what happens when a female has trouble with egg-binding or something else? Lack of vet care not acceptable...these are living animals that need help sometimes, just like us & other pets.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stewart_Reptiles

There are no pictures, and what I call a vague description of someone who appears to have limited experience yet you ask people to diagnose your animal online, that is just not gonna happen, you need to see a vet.

Yes times are different and things make it a little more complicated than usual but it can/need to happen, I had to take one if my dogs to a vet last week and things were different, curbside pickup of my dog and the vet talk to me on the phone while I was in my car but vets still see animals and it is still the responsability of an owner to provide their animals proper care.

Keep in mind that in some state while not providing proper food, shelter etc falls under animal cruelty some states take is a step further and whithdrawing withdrawing necessary vetenarary care also falls under animal cruelty.

So some food for the thoughts, not only whithdrawing care can be illegal but it is also not the right thing to do.

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Thank you for continuing to make me feel like crap. I can't do anything about this.

@Stuart_Reptiles, sorry if my post sounded sounded petty or whatever, but sometimes leading people in the right direction is the best we can do. I get that the facts are important and holding people's hands isn't the best thing to do, but at least give them what you think might be a possible solution. There are some people out there who can diagnose animals online by the way. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

We agree on this, you shouldn't be breeding them, and not just because of the pandemic...whatever your snakes produce, you're not likely to be able to sell & you should plan on caring for ALL of them for the foreseeable future, as the economic problems will not magically go away. If you cannot or will not take THIS snake to the vet, what happens when a female has trouble with egg-binding or something else? Lack of vet care not acceptable...these are living animals that need help sometimes, just like us & other pets.

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I started breeding before this pandemic, if it wasn't for it, I could take the animals to the vet. I agree with you for suggesting not to breed during this, but stuff happens. I could take care of the babies. Vet care is an issue because I have an overprotective mom. She used to not let me go at all but now she does but I can't because of this.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sharon&Sherman

Thank you for continuing to make me feel like crap. I can't do anything about this.

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While some of our comments may feel harsh to you, remember that many OTHER people read this, and we don't want anyone to think we can work magic over the internet or that they too can just skip going to the vet. I'm truly sorry for what you're going thru...actually, I'm more sympathetic for your snake. Please understand we are all animal-lovers here, and I hope you work on a better solution than just doing nothing, because that will never get you any applause around here. When you keep animals, you have a responsibility to them...maybe you don't need any more pets until you are old enough to meet all their needs, instead of asking your unwilling parent. Whenever you get a pet of ANY kind, you have to plan not only for their housing & food, but also for medical care that sooner or later they'll need. That's where we're "coming from". :snake:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

While some of our comments may feel harsh to you, remember that many OTHER people read this, and we don't want anyone to think we can work magic over the internet or that they too can just skip going to the vet. I'm truly sorry for what you're going thru...actually, I'm more sympathetic for your snake. Please understand we are all animal-lovers here, and I hope you work on a better solution than just doing nothing, because that will never get you any applause around here. When you keep animals, you have a responsibility to them...maybe you don't need any more pets until you are old enough to meet all their needs, instead of asking your unwilling parent. Whenever you get a pet of ANY kind, you have to plan not only for their housing & food, but also for medical care that sooner or later they'll need. That's where we're "coming from". :snake:

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The thing is, I can get vet care. Just not during this. My mom is terrified to leave the house to do anything. I did not plan on having to deal with a pandemic when I got this snake. He was just horny. I let him smell a female and he calmed down immediately. I already planned on stopping the breeding when this happened, hell i have pretty much. I'm sorry if it seems like I don't care about my animals because I wont take them to the vet but its because I really can't at the moment.

I understand where you're coming from. Nobody expected this to happen. Just remember that we'll get through it. The best we can do is just wait it out and make sure our animals are being taken care of.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sharon&Sherman

... I did not plan on having to deal with a pandemic when I got this snake.

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No one planned on this mess, that's for sure. And truly, I wouldn't breed more snakes right now for anything...the economy is going to be hurting for a long time, & people without adequate funds may love the distraction of a "pet" (aka toy) but won't likely take good care of it. I say this as someone who has bred some snakes in the past...I care where each one ends up.

Well thanks everyone for your responses. I glad I got it figured out. I had never read before that a male will lose his marbles cause he is horny lol. I plan to wash out his tub and him so he can't smell any females and go crazy and maybe move him away from their tubs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sharon&Sherman

Well thanks everyone for your responses. I glad I got it figured out. I had never read before that a male will lose his marbles cause he is horny lol. I plan to wash out his tub and him so he can't smell any females and go crazy and maybe move him away from their tubs.

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Not just BPs either...:rofl::rolleyes:

I'm just glad you got it figured out!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Not just BPs either...:rofl::rolleyes:

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xD

I let him sit in the females tub for 5 minutes since I didn't want him locking and when I got him out he was a COMPLETELY different snake. No thrashing, just calmly smelling and looking around. Something tells me the behavior he was showing is going to show in some of the human males after a few weeks of quarantine haha.

That's very interesting...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stewart_Reptiles

There are no pictures, and what I call a vague description of someone who appears to have limited experience yet you ask people to diagnose your animal online, that is just not gonna happen, you need to see a vet.

Yes times are different and things make it a little more complicated than usual but it can/need to happen, I had to take one if my dogs to a vet last week and things were different, curbside pickup of my dog and the vet talk to me on the phone while I was in my car but vets still see animals and it is still the responsibility of an owner to provide their animals proper care.

Keep in mind that in some state while not providing proper food, shelter etc falls under animal cruelty but some states take is a step further and withdrawing withdrawing necessary veterinary care also falls under animal cruelty.

So some food for the thoughts, not only withdrawing care can be illegal but it is also not the right thing to do.

---

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PToner

@Stuart_Reptiles, from what I heard, they weren't keeping the animal from the proper care. I know that things can be more difficult with all that's going on. But being rude isn't helping the situation. Being kind and helpful is all that we can do right now. Please just try not to be rude. I get that it wasn't too detailed, but sometimes it's hard to describe what's going on.

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Just to clarify - Deb wasn't trying to be rude - just honest. :rolleyes:

I'm glad you seem to have found a solution - the only one I could think of was popping it and trying a water spray - which you thankfully didn't need to do.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I know many use aspen with apparent safety, but I don't, & never have liked it for snakes.

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What are you using instead of aspen?? I'm using aspen now but always up to try something different.

@Gocntry, I've heard that a roughly 50/50 mix of eco-earth and Forest Floor work very well.