What the heck is this?

This girl laid for us 3 months ago - 8 eggs and no slugs - but this week has passed 2 of these squishy (yet also well-formed) yellow ball things. They’re very small and I have no idea what they are. There is some mucus in the fecal/urates as well when this happens, which you can also see in the pics.

Anyone have any ideas??? She’s at least 8 years old. Was feeding/shedding great after laying but has refused food the past few weeks since this started. She is coiling a bit on the hot side but I’m not sure if that’s relevant at this point. She felt “empty” after laying back in May.

80 ambient, 90 hotspot, 78 cool side. 80-90% humidity. Tested negative for nido.

TIA!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...7f0cd09ff6.jpg


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Slugs...infertile eggs. Be glad she got them out.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Slugs...infertile eggs. Be glad she got them out.

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Oh dang. Yikes. Maybe there’s more though! Does that count as being egg-bound? Would a warm water soak help with any of this? I’m just worried she’s not done. I guess maybe that’s why she’s off food.

Have you ever heard of slugs being passed 3 months after laying?


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Yes, there might be more. "Egg-bound" is when they DON'T come out, & rot inside the snake (with negative health consequences).

Not sure a "soak" will help, but some swimming in shallow barely-warm water (like in your bathtub, where she can stretch out) might help- it helps for constipation, anyway, not sure about slugs, but it couldn't hurt- so I'd say it's worth a try.

The hydration helps anyway- my rat snakes soak in a large water bowl for 3 days solid after they lay eggs, before they're ready for food. I don't offer food until they leave the water on their own.

Yes, maybe this is why she's off food- does she still have a nest box? If you took it away, that won't help...I'd give it back. Yes, slugs can be passed later (like 3 mos.) but it's always best to have all eggs & slugs laid at the same time.

Interestingly I’ve never experienced a BP soaking after laying, although I’ve only produced 6 clutches thus far. I’m selective with what I make. Haven’t heard about them voluntarily soaking after laying even from other big-timers. Maybe species-specific. I’ll try soaking tonight and see if anything happens.

Worst case scenario, since I know being eggbound is considered a medical emergency, should I make a vet appt? Not sure what they could do beyond ultra-sound to check for more slugs. Possibly palpate and try to move the slugs down through the vent I guess.


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Oh also - re: nest boxes - I’ve really only seen burrowing behaviors from BP’s prior to laying (in our case and from others in the industry). Haven’t ever seen nest boxes being made for them. Perhaps in an enclosure, but not a rack. We do have 4 x 2 PVC cages we use, sanitize, and rotate snakes through but not during breeding season. They seem to prefer the darkness and “privacy” of a FB-40 or 70 tub during that time. Seems to be the status quo for the industry - ethics aside.


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Yes, soaking could easily be species-specific. I can't speak for BPs on that- just generalizing what might help. But swimming motions works on all kinds for constipation, so maybe on slugs? :confusd:

Your call for vet apptmt- it's very hard (or impossible) to palpate for slugs- I've tried :D but they're too soft & squishy, & you don't want to hurt your snake with excessive pressure. You might call & ask the vet about a scan?

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Yes, soaking could easily be species-specific. I can't speak for BPs on that- just generalizing what might help. But swimming motions works on all kinds for constipation, so maybe on slugs? :confusd:

Your call for vet apptmt- it's very hard (or impossible) to palpate for slugs- I've tried :D but they're too soft & squishy, & you don't want to hurt your snake with excessive pressure. You might call & ask the vet about a scan?

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Okay, thank you! I will update in case this helps any others.


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I have seen a lot of slug eggs, but, none like shown in the picture...combined with the unusual yellow excretion makes me think there may have been (or are) cysts present.

It will be interesting to see what the Vet finds.

Best of luck!

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

I have seen a lot of slug eggs, but, none like shown in the picture...combined with the unusual yellow excretion makes me think there may have been (or are) cysts present.

It will be interesting to see what the Vet finds.

Best of luck!

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Oh wow. Good to know. I’ll definitely make an appt for her then. So you have seen cysts before in a BP? I didn’t even consider that. They are kind of squishy but definitely well-formed, if that makes sense. This is the second in 2 days.


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Originally Posted by gyrfalcongirl

Oh wow. Good to know. I’ll definitely make an appt for her then. So you have seen cysts before in a BP? I didn’t even consider that. They are kind of squishy but definitely well-formed, if that makes sense. This is the second in 2 days.

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I have not experienced the same issue, but, I know other breeders who have...one or more cysts in the reproductive tract would explain the delay in releasing underdeveloped slugs as well as the odd discharge.
It may be contrary to popular opinion, but, I do not think the imposed stress of a vet visit is mandated at this point.
In the event that you do take her to the vet...then I will be interested in hearing their testing results and subsequent findings.

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

I have not experienced the same issue, but, I know other breeders who have...one or more cysts in the reproductive tract would explain the delay in releasing underdeveloped slugs as well as the odd discharge.
It may be contrary to popular opinion, but, I do not think the imposed stress of a vet visit is mandated at this point.
In the event that you do take her to the vet...then I will be interested in hearing their testing results and subsequent findings.

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What would you recommend beyond a vet visit?


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Originally Posted by gyrfalcongirl

What would you recommend beyond a vet visit?

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With no diagnostic tools available to further assess her condition...I would recommend maintaining her normal schedule and checking her regularly to ensure that her condition is not declining (which will warrant a vet visit).

Skimming over what's been said...
I would say ova/follicle. It's not quite a slug...but it's also not a good sign imo. It could be related to something like ruptured cysts in the ovary. And if she's been off food and and passing nasty urates and stools then she could have an infection brewing.

Make sure she's keeping hydrated, the soaking that was mentioned can help for that. She doesn't look to have a great body condition at the moment so be careful with monitoring her at home for too long. I honestly think the best course of action is bringing her to the vet as others have said.

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Originally Posted by Armiyana

Skimming over what's been said...
I would say ova/follicle. It's not quite a slug...but it's also not a good sign imo. It could be related to something like ruptured cysts in the ovary. And if she's been off food and and passing nasty urates and stools then she could have an infection brewing.

Make sure she's keeping hydrated, the soaking that was mentioned can help for that. She doesn't look to have a great body condition at the moment so be careful with monitoring her at home for too long. I honestly think the best course of action is bringing her to the vet as others have said.

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Thanks for the feedback. She’s been putting weight back on at a normal rate since laying, but this is going on 3 weeks now off-feed which isn’t normal for her at all.

I’ve decided to make a vet appt here and get her in ASAP. Will post an update with any findings. Thanks again and I’ll be sure to mention everyone’s thoughts to the vet that sees her.


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Any updates? How is she doing?

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Any updates? How is she doing?

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Not yet - her vet appt is tmrw afternoon so I’ll update then! She hasn’t passed any more of those “things” as of yet.


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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Any updates? How is she doing?

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So as an update, our reptile vet palpated, did X-rays, and ultrasound, and there was no evidence of any eggs, slugs, or follicles. Nothing in her GI tract either. She was just empty. The mucus in her previous fecal led the vet to believe it’s a bacterial infection we’re dealing with now. It’s been a week since she last passed one of those squishy balls so hopefully she’s done with whatever was causing that. She had passed 2 of them within a few days of each other. Planning to give antibiotics (and keep in quarantine for a few months just in case). Will attempt to feed again in about 2 weeks. If she doesn’t make it, I’ll likely necropsy to get an answer. Don’t feel like enough people necropsy and I think that knowledge is helpful for everyone.


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Thanks for the update!
Sounds like good news!
Which antibiotic did the vet prescribe, and what is the mode of administration?

Ceftazidime injections every 72 hrs.


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Hopefully this all resolves...just be patient. Many snakes getting antibiotics won't eat until done with all that, & you might also consider adding snake probiotics* to help her digestion recover- since antibiotics destroy the good & bad bacteria equally well. *Rather than dusting them onto a f/t rodent (which can change the scent of the prey, & most will fall off rather than be ingested anyway) I'd install probiotic powder into the rodent's mouth, then push it closed again before feeding.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Hopefully this all resolves...just be patient. Many snakes getting antibiotics won't eat until done with all that, & you might also consider adding snake probiotics* to help her digestion recover- since antibiotics destroy the good & bad bacteria equally well. *Rather than dusting them onto a f/t rodent (which can change the scent of the prey, & most will fall off rather than be ingested anyway) I'd install probiotic powder into the rodent's mouth, then push it closed again before feeding.

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Great idea, I’d considered doing that. Antibiotics tend to wreck gut flora for… everything sadly.

What brand would you recommend?

She’ll have been done with the meds prior to feeding. It’s 4 doses 72 hrs apart, and she received the first today.


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And just as an edit - vet didn’t see any cysts in the imaging either.


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I haven't had any apparent gut flora disturbances from the few reptiles I have had to administer antibiotics to, so maybe you will be OK. That said, I do use NutriBAC df regularly for a couple snakes I have that simply don't digest well. I moisten the back end of a thawed prey item, and dust that end heavily. The product has a dextrose base so it sticks really well.