Pushing issues

[Bogertophis]

More exercise works for many creatures...and besides hormones, many snakes (in my experience) are drawn to fresh air coming into their cage IF you have
the sort of cage with limited airflow. Just look at how much information IS in the air for them to 'read'...it's no wonder. It's their best sense.

I can't speak for boas, as I only had a solo female who never pushed (thankfully, as she was big & strong), but maybe it's boredom & a need for motion too?

[dkatz4]

How much do you have him out every day? When my retics pushed I found that getting them out of their enclosures and into the front yard (it was warm) for exercise for 45-60 minutes every day really helped settle them down. Obviously it's too cold now for that, but maybe you can just take him out and hold him for an hour or so each evening.

I get him out pretty often, and especially now b/c i thought perhaps it would help. But unfortunately it seems like even after more than an hour of "playtime" he goes back to it. I may try taking him out even a bit more though. It had occurred to me to maybe try feeding him an undersized meal just to get him to slow down for a few nights. Whenever he eats he'll just sleep in his hide for about 2 days. He's about a week away from a normal meal (medium rat) thought i might throw him a small in a few days instead. As far as airflow is concerned, well he's in the basement and pretty close to the cat litter (gross, i know) but what gets me is that this is where he always has been, nothing has changed. This is why i keep thinking its a breeding thing since the only change is that my female is 2 and a half years old now.

[Bogertophis]

If you try to "pacify" a snake with food you'll soon have an obese (& unhealthy) boa...snakes don't lose excess weight easily either. It's most likely the lure
of a mate that's driving him, poor guy.

[richardhind1972]

I'm sure it's a male thing too.should start to ease soon

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[dkatz4]

Now I am freaking out that he may have developed an abscess
i guess I'll call some vets tomorrow, but I am really really worried at the prospect of the cost. On the other hand, most of my stress is stemming form facebook comments on my post so maybe those people are prone to overreaction (???) what do we think, i know the pics are not the best

[dkatz4]

I mean - how can just pushing result in such a serious condition, i feel like every retic would end up needing surgery several times over if a swollen face from pushing was such a big deal??

[Zincubus]

I mean - how can just pushing result in such a serious condition, i feel like every retic would end up needing surgery several times over if a swollen face from pushing was such a big deal??

I had a young retic that squashed half his face in by pushing .. I phoned the breeder immediately I noticed and he said to move it rubs taller / deeper viv - it went back to normal in about 10 days


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[Bogertophis]

Now I am freaking out that he may have developed an abscess
i guess I'll call some vets tomorrow, but I am really really worried at the prospect of the cost. On the other hand, most of my stress is stemming form facebook comments on my post so maybe those people are prone to overreaction (???) what do we think, i know the pics are not the best

Sorry to say, but yeah, it looks like an abscess & this is a typical way that snakes get them, & yes, on their face/nose area. DO see a vet, but also you need to make
sure it doesn't keep happening. You may know that in snakes, pus that forms is mostly solid & does NOT drain without medical help (from your vet). It's not too bad
yet...these can get far worse & jeopardize your snake's life, because this infection is on their head (hint, near the brain & vital functions), so it's not to be ignored. I hope
you can figure out how to house him so he does not continue to do this...he has to heal.

[RickyNY]

I had a young retic that squashed half his face in by pushing .. I phoned the breeder immediately I noticed and he said to move it rubs taller / deeper viv - it went back to normal in about 10 days


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What does move it rubs mean incidentally?

[Bogertophis]

What does move it rubs mean incidentally?

I'm just guessing but I think he was trying to say "move it into taller tubs or deeper vivarium"?