Constipation Questions

[ride_gnu]

I've noticed my BP has gotten bloated for the first time ever and I was wondering;

1) What causes this?

2) Should I do anything to help?

3) Is it at all potentially harmful to the snake?

Also what I find weird, is nothing in his cage has changed lately, but I did start feeding him larger rats so perhaps this is part of the problem? (PS the rats are not too large for him im sure of that.)

[Somed00d]

It is likely nothing but where is the bloating? do you have any pictures before/after?

[JayBP]

Is it bloated because it hasn't pooped in a while? If so, I wouldn't worry about it. Mine just pooped the other day after not going for over a month.

[ride_gnu]

Cool, I imagine that must be it as she doesn't pop often at all, its been almost 4 weeks now. Is it all right to handle her if she looks/appears/ is bloated?

[xanaxez]

i would say it is ok to handle her, in fact it might even help her have a movement so be ready for a shower and a change of clothes just in case lol

[Pinoy Pythons]

Whenever that happens to my bps, I soak them in a luke warm water, for 30minutes to an hour. Usually that helps them defecate.

[ride_gnu]

When you guys soak your BP's do you leave them unattended in a dark place with warm waterwhere they cant get out, or hold them and soak them in say the tub?

[gmolurus]

i normally soak mine in warm water in the rack for 30-45 min so the water doesnt cool off as quick, quite often i will let them pull themselves though my hands while squeezing their bellies LIGHTLY, the combination of the two seems to get things moving

[JayBP]

When you guys soak your BP's do you leave them unattended in a dark place with warm waterwhere they cant get out, or hold them and soak them in say the tub?

I have a rubbermaid tub that I use. I put about an inch or so of luke warm water in there and let them soak with the lid on for a little while. Of course I check on them to make sure everything is ok.

[JayBP]

Cool, I imagine that must be it as she doesn't pop often at all, its been almost 4 weeks now. Is it all right to handle her if she looks/appears/ is bloated?

Yeah, it's fine. Just be careful. You might end up having to clean up after the handling session. Lol.