Should I make a vet visit?

Alright this may sound weird but Kingsley is a 5 month old male spider who eats like a pig, lives the life cruisin in his cage, and chillin out. But, I went to pick him up the other day and his underside seemed soft and mushy, not strong a firm. Could something be wrong. He eats an adult mouse every 5 days (he's 150 g right now, I want him at 200, then I'll move down to one mouse every 7 days) I'm not sure if it's a sign of parasites or anything worse.... being a spider he comes from a reputable dealer so I would assume he doesn't have any parasites or worms. What could it be?

Might want to just in case, I'm not sure what could be causing it but loss of muscle tone is a bad sign in a snake.

When in doubt go. Not sure he's still there but give him a call.


Michael P. Myers, DVM
3924 Airport Highway
Toledo, OH 43615
Tel: (419) 385-7433

Michael Myers?!?! YIKES!!!

Halloween movies bad guy.

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Originally Posted by TheMissingLink

When in doubt go he's a good herp vet.


Michael P. Myers, DVM
3924 Airport Highway
Toledo, OH 43615
Tel: (419) 385-7433

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When I read your post, the first and only thing that came to mind was the member who posted a video of their snake with blisters and stuff. I certainly would make an appointment ASAP. For piece of mind at least.

good luck and if you do take your bp to the vet, please post the outcome.

Well he doesn't have any blisters or anything like that, it's just he seemed either bloated or kinda weak on his underside, I never noticed it before. Could it possibly be from a large meal he ate this past saturday?

I doubt it. I would at least give the vet a call and see what he thinks of it.

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Originally Posted by giaach

Well he doesn't have any blisters or anything like that, it's just he seemed either bloated or kinda weak on his underside, I never noticed it before. Could it possibly be from a large meal he ate this past saturday?

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I wasn't implying that, I was just saying that I immediately thought of that other snake. I don't know enough to give any advice, I'm just giving my opinion that I would probably have it checked out. But, we have had enough problems with our dogs lately that I guess I'm a bit cautious. Three months ago, before owning a bp, I didn't care about snakes but now, our bp is right up there with our dogs and just as important.

I'm sure you will do what is best for your bp! I don't have any doubt.

I really want to call that vet right now but Im 3 hrs away from him. Im at school right now and home is not close haha. I have some knowledgeable friends down here Im gonna consult tomorrow and see what they think. Now I'm worried oh man...

So, you're 3 hours away from the vet physically, but surely a phone is close by?! I always feel that if a person is worried and asking if they ought to call a vet, it usually means that they ought to call a vet. ;) Peace of mind for no cost.
If the vet wants to see the snake, maybe there is one closer to your school; if not, then it's road trip time!!!

I'm pretty sure phones work over a fairly long distance :)

And I'm pretty sure the vet can probably refer you to someone a bit closer as well.

Have you guys actually had success by calling a vet to ask questions? So far, every time I've called (about my dogs) the only thing they tell me is to bring them in. They won't say anything over the phone! I've gotten this from several vets in the area for various things. Or, are herp vets generally more willing to offer assistance over the phone than your typical vet is?

oh i totally agree,it's just i've never met this vet before and i dont want to come across as some cheap bum who wants peace of mind from a phone call. If I knew him it would be a totally different situation.

My spider's belly will feel softer or mushier after feeding. Usually once they poop they are toned again. Thats been my experience.

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Originally Posted by giaach

oh i totally agree,it's just i've never met this vet before and i dont want to come across as some cheap bum who wants peace of mind from a phone call. If I knew him it would be a totally different situation.

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I understand. Just let the vet know that you're not some cheap guy; just three hours away! Explain everything really clearly and have an accurate weight, last fed, last poo'd, etc; all the records close by so you won't be wasting his time on the phone. I have found that the more clearly I communicate symptoms and history, the easier it is for the vet to determine if an office visit is warranted. A good vet will never mind a conscientious owner!!

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Originally Posted by giaach

I really want to call that vet right now but Im 3 hrs away from him. Im at school right now and home is not close haha. I have some knowledgeable friends down here Im gonna consult tomorrow and see what they think. Now I'm worried oh man...

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I hope these aren't the same "knowledgeable" friends that told you to perform chiropractics on your snake. If so, I'd stay far, far away.

Like everyone else has said, if it's that mushy (to the point of worrying you) you should contact the vet.

maybe take a picture of your snake & email it to him & do a consult over the phone.

you never know... worth a try:gj:

So I just got off the phone with the vet in Toledo and after I ran down the list of weight, feeding, ect he said that I should watch him over the next few days but it sounds like a gas bubble. Thanks for the vet recommendation missinglink.

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Originally Posted by bender29

I hope these aren't the same "knowledgeable" friends that told you to perform chiropractics on your snake. If so, I'd stay far, far away.

Like everyone else has said, if it's that mushy (to the point of worrying you) you should contact the vet.

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Oh jeez, I had forgotten about that.... Good point Bender29 and one that Giaach would do well to take to heart....

Maybe you'll get to hear the legendary snake fart....

i remember hearing my first snake fart... it was like 3am and BAM pppssssssbllllllllllaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrppppppp like 3 times...
:D

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Originally Posted by extensive

i remember hearing my first snake fart... it was like 3am and BAM pppssssssbllllllllllaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrppppppp like 3 times...
:D

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HAHAHA! That's exactly how it sounds too! LOL, one time we had a snake fart that sounded like a horse chuffing or whatever they do that isnt a neigh. LOL

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Originally Posted by extensive

i remember hearing my first snake fart... it was like 3am and BAM pppssssssbllllllllllaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrppppppp like 3 times...
:D

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:rofl::rofl:

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Originally Posted by TanyaL

Have you guys actually had success by calling a vet to ask questions? So far, every time I've called (about my dogs) the only thing they tell me is to bring them in. They won't say anything over the phone! I've gotten this from several vets in the area for various things. Or, are herp vets generally more willing to offer assistance over the phone than your typical vet is?

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Depends on the vet, really. Mine will give me a bit of advice for things that aren't emergencies, or if I just have a quick question. But then again I've been going to him since I got my first snake, so he already knows me personally. It would probably be a bit different for a vet you just called up out of the blue.

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Originally Posted by spix14

Depends on the vet, really. Mine will give me a bit of advice for things that aren't emergencies, or if I just have a quick question. But then again I've been going to him since I got my first snake, so he already knows me personally. It would probably be a bit different for a vet you just called up out of the blue.

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Our vet turned us away when our dog had 105+ fever because they were not open for a couple more hours. Instead of letting us know what we could do in the mean time, they just said 'Good luck finding somebody who is available'. I can understand not helping a non-client out but geesh....we had no other choice and 105 fever is nothing to mess with. She always seems to spike after hours or on the weekend, the little brat!

Emergency Vets seem to be the worse! Glad you have that relationship and it must be nice to have an understanding vet!

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Originally Posted by extensive

i remember hearing my first snake fart... it was like 3am and BAM pppssssssbllllllllllaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrppppppp like 3 times...
:D

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OMG! Are they as deadly as a dog fart?

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Originally Posted by TanyaL

Our vet turned us away when our dog had 105+ fever because they were not open for a couple more hours. Instead of letting us know what we could do in the mean time, they just said 'Good luck finding somebody who is available'. I can understand not helping a non-client out but geesh....we had no other choice and 105 fever is nothing to mess with. She always seems to spike after hours or on the weekend, the little brat!

Emergency Vets seem to be the worse! Glad you have that relationship and it must be nice to have an understanding vet!

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I'd find another vet... Our vet will come to the office in the middle of the night if it was an actual emergency. If he didn't think it was, he'd at least consult over the phone and schedule a first thing the next morning appointment...

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Originally Posted by GirDance

I'd find another vet... Our vet will come to the office in the middle of the night if it was an actual emergency. If he didn't think it was, he'd at least consult over the phone and schedule a first thing the next morning appointment...

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I guess I should have said 'Our vet at the time'. We don't use them anymore for that reason alone.

We can't even get ahold of the vets in this area after hours. I swear they must get a huge kickback from the ER vets.

Are you people being funny or telling the truth about the "snake farting thing". I use to have a ball python that would make some god awful noise. I was sure he was coughing though. Well I took him to the vet like five times over it and all the diffrent vets I seen said he was in great shape no sickness at all. But I would here this noise from across the room and never seen which end it was coming from. Well now I wonder if he just had gas. None of the vets suggested that to me though.