Loopy is having problems

I'm growing pretty concerned for Loopy (my train wreak spinner who has horrible neurological problems)

For the past few weeks, Loopy has not been himself. He doesn't want to eat, don't seem to be gaining hardly any weight, he can't stop spinning, and seems to always be on his back. I can't tell you how many times he has given me a near heart attack by seeing that he was upside down and thinking he was dead. He can't flip himself over, so once he's on his back... he's stuck.

His temps are fine, he doesn't have any signs of an RI. I'm just growing real worried that something is not right as far away as normal that Loopy is.

I know other breeders have seen and maybe have had a train wreck spinner before. Over time did they get worse? Did they not live that long? Etc???? I don't know much about spinners besides what I know about Loopy.


I'm not sure what to do. Take him to the vet, but I've been warned that they may just want to put him down because of his problems that look a lot like something else (which I'm not even going to name). My boyfriend said that maybe it's his time to leave this earth. If that is the case how can I tell if he is in pain? I often wonder if I did the right thing with his life by kind of making him have to live a year ago. I know if it weren't for me, he would have not made it. Now I'm wondering if he has any hope left or if I should put him down?

He has me torn to pieces!

This is so sad! It must be a tough decision, and I know that you will decide to do what's best for him. A vet will most likely tell you it's either that which we wont name, or there isn't much they can do for him.

I hope you can figure out something for him, I would be torn up over seeing an animal that I can't help. :hug:

I'm so sorry that he's having troubles. :( I hope you can figure something out for him.

I'm really sorry to hear about Loopy, Allison. :( I know you've done a great job giving him a nice home, but unfortunately you might have to make a tough decision soon.

It's not just about pain but more the quality of life. He might not be in pain at all, but I can't imagine a creature having to deal with not being able to control their movements and not understanding what's going on.

If you do decide that his time has come, at least you can take comfort in knowing that you gave him a great home while you had him. :hug:

Thanks guys!


You are completely right Lawrence. I'm going to give him a few more days before making a final decision. I know if I was in some kind of accident and became incapable of doing anything and had to live off of someone keeping me alive or I became a vegetable I know If the option was to let me go I'd like to be let go from this earth. As much as I love my herp vet, sadly I don't think he is going to be much if any help in this situation, then again I don't know since I've never had a problem snake or any animals with false symptoms like Loopy has. I could try and take him there and hope Dr. Gold will listen and believe me when I say he was born like this and try to help him instead of just telling me there is no hope or to put him down. Before I do that I'm going to contact Pete and the guys and see what they say or know about spinners, since I know they have seen a lot more and know more things then I'll ever see or know.

I’m so sorry to hear about Loopy. The situation must be heart-wrenching. I really wish you and Loopy all the best in these coming days.

However, I also have a suggestion. There are many people who come to these forums asking about what ‘spinning’ is exactly. I’ve read such questions across many sites, too. Despite an honest attempt, I’ve been unable to find anything other than descriptions online. The one video on YouTube depicts a BP with such minor head spinning as to nearly be undetectable. http://youtube.com/watch?v=UOk4HDSY2xE

If it is not too painful for you, Loopy might be able to help the BP community by providing a visual, documented case of sever ‘spinning.’ If you are able to record and upload a 5 or so minute video displaying his affliction, it may very well help novice owners better identify similar cases in their own BPs. If you happen to see him on his back, that might be helpful to film too. (I'm not suggesting you stress him by flipping him yourself, of course.)

Personally I feel that this could be a very meaningful legacy for Loopy to give the ball python community. However, I understand if this may be too difficult for you to do.

I'll keep you both in my thoughts. Please keep us updated.

I hope everything works out for you. Hope Loopy will be ok. You got pictures of Loopy?

Allison i am so sorry he looks like he is getting worse :(.

Stay strong, sweetie. Spinning seems like it would be related to the snake's ability to balance properly. Since they don't have ears, maybe it's located somewhere else? Does he have a stuffy nose or anything that could be aggravating it? I am obviously not an expert in BP anatomy - I'm just grasping for answers.

Take care of yourself. I'll hope for the best for you... :please:

It's an awful place you're in Allison and I'm sure we all feel for you. If it were me, I'd likely consult with my vet and also with trusted experienced breeders (sending them a video of what Loopy is like). If you are seeing this snake going downhill, then again, if it was me I'd gather the information, then sit down and quietly think whether the snake's quality of life is anywhere equal to just counting more of those days off. It's never an easy decision, Allison but you know you have the support of this entire community no matter what that decision may be.

My thoughts are with you. I actually was remembering recently about Loopy's story, and was going to ask how he was doing.
It is really hard for me to give you any advice, never having been in this exact situation. I did have a pet Australian Bell frog that would literally hop in circles; we thought that it was his equilibrium or something. He got to where he'd aim his spinning to catch prey items; he adapted to his handicap and lived a normal lifespan.
Man, I wish that I had some advice here. I know that we are all with you no matter where you go with this, because you gave him a chance and the best life possible now.

Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers!

I was advised to put him back in a small tub, shoe box sized to keep him confined on plain paper towels. I switched over to a different kind of aspen bedding about a month ago called Hartz - Aspen Bedding and Litter. I was advised that get all of my snakes off it since Hartz makes dangerous products for animals so I've been told. Don't know if that may or may not have something to do with it. I was also told to take him to the my vet to get checked out.

Vet trip went very well. My vet is awesome and listened to me (thankfully I have Pete & guys as back up proof that Loopy hatched out the way he is if he wasn't going to believe me). Loopy is now on Baytril just in case something is brewing in him somewhere. He also was also given a oral injection of something that is supposed to make him want to eat.


And as of tonight while in blue he was moving around flickering his tongue. I thought "whats it gonna hurt if I pop a baby rat in there?". So I did and about 1 minute later I heard a thump and a squeal. So he ate that up. He doesn't seem to be spinning as bad as before, kind of back to his "normal spinning" state that I'm used to seeing him do.


So as of right now he is doing much better then he has been in the past few weeks. I'm now wondering if switching the bedding from Nepco Aspen to apparently "bad" aspen bedding had anything to do with it? I looked all over the bag of the Hartz aspen and no where does it say if it has added oils, etc in it. Maybe he did have a cold brewing inside that was effecting him and the Baytril is kicking its butt out of town. I don't know but as of right now I'm very happy that I've gotten the help to help him that he needs. Also at this point in time I still feel as though he still has a shot at life. If things turn around for the worse for him then when that time comes I'll let him go.


As far as a video I do have one of him when he was only a few months old when I first brought him home. I'll dig that one up and I'll try to get a new one of him.

Glad to hear he seems to be doing better!