Birth Defect. What to do

3 more babies came out of the eggs today but one of them has a birth defect. It seems as the abdominal wall did not close all the way and some of the intestines and muscle are coming out of it.

What would you do???



here is what it looks like:

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...fex/defect.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...ex/defect2.jpg

That is too bad...he is cute.


Since it won't fix itself on its own and more then likely will end up getting infected is left alone you really only have 2 options that I can see.

1. Euthanize - I don't know how you do this with a snake humanily so if everyone else agrees someone with more experience can help.

2. Take him to the Vet for surgery to fix it.

Maybe someone with more experience will have another option :(

Ouch! Poor little baby :(

I'd first of all keep that moist so it doesn't dry up and die. Keep him on a moist paper towle.

Second of all I'd be on the phone with my vet getting an appointment ASAP to get he/she in there to see if anything could be done to fix it. If not then I'd have the snake put down since it will not be able to live with part of it's insides out in the open air. It will just get infected and the snake will slowly and painfully die.

Please let us know what happens with the little cutie.

Thanks guys, that is what I figured. I already have it wrapped in moist guaze. It will loose blood supply soon as it is constricted by that band of muscle around it, so it will die off soon= infection...I will have to put it down.. That really sucks. I guess I just needed a second opinion.. thanks

I guess with the highs there are lows as well.:(

Given that timing is an issue...you might consider just calling Adam (at 8 Ball) and asking his opinion...maybe he has another idea since he has pry seen more than anyone here.

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Originally Posted by lord jackel

Given that timing is an issue...you might consider just calling Adam (at 8 Ball) and asking his opinion...maybe he has another idea since he has pry seen more than anyone here.

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Thats a great idea. I will see what I can find out.

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Originally Posted by Sevo

I guess with the highs there are lows as well.:(

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Sadly yes that is true with any kind of animal breeding, birthing, hatching, etc. Sometimes things just happen like that. It sucks, but there isn't much you can do about it. All you can do is choose what's right for that living creature and go from there.

Would there be anything that a vet could do? I would have called off of work and scrapped any plans I had and driven the baby to the vet the second I saw it.

DO NOT PUT THAT SNAKE DOWN. The snake will absorb it or it will fall off it is normal. That is a healthy snake he will be fine give it time. It will close over.

That is where the cord was attached to the yolk. He will be fine. It will go away witht he first shed.

Yeah I read in one of my ball python books that it was its "belly button". The things you learn, heh.

Hmmm, well Then I will wait and see what happens. Thanks for the help. I will keep you posted for sure!!!

Number 4 is out.. another normal.. He looks great.

Chris, before you do anything please contact Cue or Dave or Tracy from VPI. I am just running to review their Ball Python DVD now but I know I remember them discussing this exact thing and how it will often absorb inward and the belly close naturally. I'll go review the DVD now take notes but it might be best to try and get hold of them for direct advice.

Sevo I hope i did not come off as being an ass. I did not mean it that way. I know you spent alot of time,energy and worrying to get those lil babies to hatch. I did not want you to put it down because of incorrect info you were recieving. I had to put down 3 snakes this year. All 3 were kinked up and deformed very badly. One had no head or eyes only a tube like piece sticking out of a knot in its neck. Bad thing was the last two I put down was twins. Your snake will be fine. Take Care.

Okay I just reviewed the part of the DVD where I remembered seeing Tracy talking about and showing a hatchling with a much larger protrusion. It's from their DVD "All About Ball Pythons" - specifically the breeding/hatching part. Tracy explained that this is simply unabsorbed yolk and do not mess with it, cut it off or worry much about it. She recommended in the DVD to place the hatchling on damp papertowels and provide a water dish (according to them this is what they do with all hatchings prior to first shed, then move them to dry paper towels and a water dish). From what I just watched Tracy explaining this is no big deal and usually the yolk is absorbed within hours and the snake is just fine.

I hope this helped. I still think contacting someone to confirm this though is a good idea, since I'm basically just repeating what I watching on a DVD (though I completely trust the information Dave and Tracy are imparting on it).

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Originally Posted by Thomas Jones

I did not want you to put it down because of incorrect info you were recieving.

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Since I am one that gave him help (and the other person said the same thing)...I would like to know which part of our recommendation was incorrect? The take him to the vet part or the call Adam part?

We both said that euthanization was an option as the animal couldn't survive if the protrusion stayed...but to get an expert opinion.

Sorry I don't see how either was incorrect.:confuzd:

If you look at your other babies, you will see a little line in the same area on them where the umbilical cord (I actually don't know the exact term but I'm sure its in the Barker's book) was. Most often it is gone when the snake comes out of the egg but sometimes there is still some attached. Keep it on damp paper towel and it will come off on its own shortly. Nice baby!

Sean, I think Thomas was just trying to make sure that snake wasn't put down out of any sense of panic that it has a birth defect rather than what is likely just some unabsorbed yolk. No harm, no foul. :) I think we all agree that Chris should speak directly with an experienced breeder to make sure about what is going on and the proper procedures to address it.

From another thread here, check this pic out. Shows the same thing on another hatchling:

http://www.vpi.com/brag/laser_ball

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Sean, I think Thomas was just trying to make sure that snake wasn't put down out of any sense of panic that it has a birth defect rather than what is likely just some unabsorbed yolk. No harm, no foul. :) I think we all agree that Chris should speak directly with an experienced breeder to make sure about what is going on and the proper procedures to address it.

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Yea probably so...sorry my defenses are up. I have been seeing a lot of the jump and condeme first before actually reading the previous posts responses. Also seems more and more "because my opinion differs you are wrong" posts. Ok going to go get a drink and chill.

Hey Sean I'll have a drama attack if you'll get me a drink too LOL. :D

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Hey Sean I'll have a drama attack if you'll get me a drink too LOL. :D

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Come on over :rolleye2:

*Sends Jo a MaiTai"

Awww snake belly buttons! I swear I saw Jenson's when I first got him...I hope that's what this little guy has and that'll it clear it up. =)

I was wondering if it was just coincidence that the protrusion was right near where the umbilical cord used to be.

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Originally Posted by Rapture

I was wondering if it was just coincidence that the protrusion was right near where the umbilical cord used to be.

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No coincidence , that is umbilical material. That snake will be just fine.

Chris, it's pretty common in hatchling ball pythons ... that's why many breeders keep their hatchlings on wet paper towels until after their first shed. By then it will be all gone and she'll be perfect. ;)

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Originally Posted by lord jackel

I would like to know which part of our recommendation was incorrect?

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I think that the part of this thread that made me the most uncomfortable was seeing the first response suggesting euthanization as the number one option.

I understand that other parts of the response and subsequent posts in the thread went on to suggest taking the animal to see a vet or contacting someone for a more experienced opinion and those are certainly excellent suggestions.

I just think that when it comes to suggesting terminating an animals life, you should really know what you're talking about via first hand experience instead of trying to be helpful by just throwing ideas out there that may or may not be valid.

I'm definitely not trying to jump on lord jakel in any way ... I respect his effort to step up and try to help and believe that he only wanted the best possible outcome for Chris .... I just wanted to take a few seconds to maybe remind everyone to really think before they give advice ... Do I really know what I'm talking about or am I just guessing? ... What will the consequences of my advice be if I'm wrong? .... If I'm not 100% sure about the advice I want to offer would it be better for me to either find out from someone that knows or just pass refer the poster to someone that I am sure will know how to help?

These are all questions that I've always asked myself before I hit the submit button ... over the last 3+ years here at Bp.Net they've served me well ... They may not be everyones cup of tea and that's cool .... as always, I'm just trying to be helpful.

Thanks for listening and a huge thanks to everyone that takes time out of their busy lives to help another. We are a community of people with a shared passion and we rise and fall together on good advice and bad advice … the thing that makes Bp.Net so special is that when one of us does stumble there are plenty of smiling faces and helping hands to get us back up.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

I'm definitely not trying to jump on lord jakel in any way ... I respect his effort to step up and try to help and believe that he only wanted the best possible outcome for Chris .... I just wanted to take a few seconds to maybe remind everyone to really think before they give advice ... Do I really know what I'm talking about or am I just guessing? ... What will the consequences of my advice be if I'm wrong? .... If I'm not 100% sure about the advice I want to offer would it be better for me to either find out from someone that knows or just pass refer the poster to someone that I am sure will know how to help?

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I agree.

*hangs head* :oops:

Peace

Wow, What a great thread this has turned out to be. I hope it helps other first time breeders like myself. I really appreiciate all of the input. Thank you to all who have posted. It really has helped me out. I looked at my other snakes and you can see where the cord was attached around the same spot.

I talked to some good friends who do breed and they confirmed what Joanna, Thomas and Adam have said. Thank you again for all of the help.

( BTW , Thomas, I never thought that my friend. I appreciate the urgency in your post. It helped!!!)

I will take a "after" pic to show you what it looks like.

Adam, thank you for confirming everything. I know this is a busy time for you and I appreciate your time. It really helps to hear it from one of the pro's

I am really glad that this thread was so informative and that it is nothing wrong :) Now if it happens to mine, I will not panic and have a conniption :)

I thought I was a pro. LOL Guess not still learning. You can not be a big boy with 25 breedable females and only get 21 clutches. LOL Gotta figure out why the other 4 did not take. It is only my second year breeding balls so I have plenty of time to learn. Good Luck to everyone this season.

This is not just a ball python issue..

This happens if any snake emerges from the egg prior to fully absorbing the yoke. It does happen naturally on occasion, but is much more common in snakes who were manually 'pipped' too soon by an over zealous breeder. Though I am not saying that was the issue this time.

A healthy snake does not need to be manually pipped, it will pip itself when it is ready.

If it happens, I find the damp paper towel on the bottom of the bin works, but I also lightly wrap the snake in a damp paper towel. This makes the hatchling feel more secure. It will likely stay in this "paper towel egg" until the yoke is full absorbed and then it will emerge just like any other new hatchling snake. The reason I do the paper towel egg, is it keeps the snake from dragging the yoke around, which does have a very slight risk of pulling the intestines out if the yoke gets stuck around a water dish, etc.

I hope all turns out well. Keep us informed.

Rick

Hey Chris,



Any update on this lil guy? Has he shed yet?



dr del

Any news? I assume all is well, but would enjoy some good news.. and of course some more pictures.. who here doesn't love more pictures?

Rick

:carrot: pictures :carrot: pictures :carrot: pictures :carrot: pictures:carrot:

Sorry, guys been up to my ears with busy around here. All is great with the little girl. It had fallen off and she is eating great. Could not be happier. i will snap some pics tonight of her. It is all sealed up and looks great.

thank you for the support and help

wow! this thread just gave a very worried snake keeper some much needed comfort.. thank you so much for sharing your experience :D

Digging up time capsules today I see, glad you did though, interesting read! :D