Broken ribs??

[Malum Argenteum]

Even if it turns out not to be broken ribs, seeing a *qualified *exotics vet with any concerns that can't be answered by experienced keepers can be valuable (*this part is important). Concerns that crop up following a fall seem even more important to get a vet's input on.

I respectfully am skeptical about the value (both absolute value, and cost to benefit ratio) of routine wellness checks, since the majority of issues that pop up are husbandry related, and experienced serious keepers are going to be much better at diagnosing these sorts of things unless the vet has extensive experience with keeping the actual species at hand. There are basic care recommendations that make a lot more sense in the abstract than they do in practice -- UVB is probably the poster child for this -- and keepers are well placed to point out practical issues that come from experience.

Anyway, the most notable mystery ailment I saw a vet for was a rainbow boa that developed a bulge on his side. After X rays and ultrasound imaging, it was determined that when he gets stressed his liver protrudes between his abdominal muscles, a bit like a hernia but transient. It went away when he was anesthetized for the imaging -- that's how it was diagnosed. Turns out to be not worrysome, but really interesting, and now I know that I need to not stress him out (overhandling did it). Just knowing all this is worth the time and money at the vet, worth it to me anyway.

[Bogertophis]

My snake is slightly underweight, is it possible that I've overreacted and those are just how her ribs look?

I've checked her again and those imprints seem to be all along her spine only when she curls up.

I thought it was in one localized area, but I was mistaken.

Or is it dehydration?
If it's the latter what can I do about it?

I don't want to rule out fractured ribs, so I'm still going to take her to the vet for an x-ray.

Could her ribs be fractured all along her body?

She still takes her meals perfectly.

It's really important for you, as the snake's owner/keeper, to pay close attention to any new symptoms that show up. If you're now realizing this "issue" is all along her body, I'd lean toward her being underweight &/or somewhat dehydrated- it sounds like "loose skin" is what you're actually seeing. It's very unlikely she'd have that many broken ribs- And eating is a great indication that all is well (but not a guarantee).

Here's the dilemma you now face: only a vet can rule out fractured ribs, but IF you take her to the vet, the stress "may" cause her to stop eating for a while- no telling how long. So it's up to you. As an experienced snake keeper, my personal decision may be different than yours- that's okay too. There's many "gray areas" in herpetoculture.

[Ruby]

As an experienced snake keeper, my personal decision may be different than yours- that's okay too. There's many "gray areas" in herpetoculture.

What would you do? I'm really conflicted.

She's a great eater and I don't want to stress her out all for nothing, and because she's an underweight hatchling it's important for her to continue eating.

But on the other hand, what if something really is wrong and a vet visit could save her life?



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[Homebody]

What would you do? I'm really conflicted.

Do you have a qualified herp vet to take her to?

[Ruby]

I found two exotic vets that have good reviews.

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[Bogertophis]

What would you do? I'm really conflicted...

I can't really answer that, because my experienced eyes would be seeing more than yours (or your camera) can put forth. And I have more skills than you do for snakes that refuse to eat, so that's less of a risk for me also. You'll have to make this decision- it's about what you're comfortable with.

[Ruby]

Well, thank you all for helping me with this.

I'll leave this post open for other people who may experience something like this.

If anyone else has knowledge on this, please give your opinion!




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[Bogertophis]

Well, thank you all for helping me with this.

I'll leave this post open for other people who may experience something like this.

If anyone else has knowledge on this, please give your opinion!




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Please do keep us posted here: if you go to the vet, what they say, & if not, how it's going & any other questions or thoughts you have. We want to help you as much as we can, but there's just only so much we can see or say online- it's not like seeing your snake in person, as a veterinarian does. And we're not here to take their place, that's not our function.

[Homebody]

You'll have to make this decision- it's about what you're comfortable with.

I agree with Boger. It's your call. Taking your snake to the vet isn't a dumb thing to do. The dimples look weird and even experienced keepers can't tell you why she has them. Maybe the vet can. On the other hand, your snake is behaving normally and those same experienced keepers aren't alarmed by the dimples, so it also wouldn't be dumb to wait and see what happens. You should do what you feel most comfortable with. The funny thing is that you may not be able to get an appointment right away, so you may have no choice but to wait and see.

[Ruby]

I'll be sure to post updates.

I think I'm going to wait a bit and monitor any strange behavior, physical changes, etc.

Thank you all for your help.