What the heck is this?

[gyrfalcongirl]

This girl laid for us 3 months ago - 8 eggs and no slugs - but this week has passed 2 of these squishy (yet also well-formed) yellow ball things. They’re very small and I have no idea what they are. There is some mucus in the fecal/urates as well when this happens, which you can also see in the pics.

Anyone have any ideas??? She’s at least 8 years old. Was feeding/shedding great after laying but has refused food the past few weeks since this started. She is coiling a bit on the hot side but I’m not sure if that’s relevant at this point. She felt “empty” after laying back in May.

80 ambient, 90 hotspot, 78 cool side. 80-90% humidity. Tested negative for nido.

TIA!


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[Bogertophis]

Slugs...infertile eggs. Be glad she got them out.

[gyrfalcongirl]

Slugs...infertile eggs. Be glad she got them out.

Oh dang. Yikes. Maybe there’s more though! Does that count as being egg-bound? Would a warm water soak help with any of this? I’m just worried she’s not done. I guess maybe that’s why she’s off food.

Have you ever heard of slugs being passed 3 months after laying?


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[Bogertophis]

Yes, there might be more. "Egg-bound" is when they DON'T come out, & rot inside the snake (with negative health consequences).

Not sure a "soak" will help, but some swimming in shallow barely-warm water (like in your bathtub, where she can stretch out) might help- it helps for constipation, anyway, not sure about slugs, but it couldn't hurt- so I'd say it's worth a try.

The hydration helps anyway- my rat snakes soak in a large water bowl for 3 days solid after they lay eggs, before they're ready for food. I don't offer food until they leave the water on their own.

Yes, maybe this is why she's off food- does she still have a nest box? If you took it away, that won't help...I'd give it back. Yes, slugs can be passed later (like 3 mos.) but it's always best to have all eggs & slugs laid at the same time.

[gyrfalcongirl]

Interestingly I’ve never experienced a BP soaking after laying, although I’ve only produced 6 clutches thus far. I’m selective with what I make. Haven’t heard about them voluntarily soaking after laying even from other big-timers. Maybe species-specific. I’ll try soaking tonight and see if anything happens.

Worst case scenario, since I know being eggbound is considered a medical emergency, should I make a vet appt? Not sure what they could do beyond ultra-sound to check for more slugs. Possibly palpate and try to move the slugs down through the vent I guess.


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[gyrfalcongirl]

Oh also - re: nest boxes - I’ve really only seen burrowing behaviors from BP’s prior to laying (in our case and from others in the industry). Haven’t ever seen nest boxes being made for them. Perhaps in an enclosure, but not a rack. We do have 4 x 2 PVC cages we use, sanitize, and rotate snakes through but not during breeding season. They seem to prefer the darkness and “privacy” of a FB-40 or 70 tub during that time. Seems to be the status quo for the industry - ethics aside.


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[Bogertophis]

Yes, soaking could easily be species-specific. I can't speak for BPs on that- just generalizing what might help. But swimming motions works on all kinds for constipation, so maybe on slugs?

Your call for vet apptmt- it's very hard (or impossible) to palpate for slugs- I've tried but they're too soft & squishy, & you don't want to hurt your snake with excessive pressure. You might call & ask the vet about a scan?

[gyrfalcongirl]

Yes, soaking could easily be species-specific. I can't speak for BPs on that- just generalizing what might help. But swimming motions works on all kinds for constipation, so maybe on slugs?

Your call for vet apptmt- it's very hard (or impossible) to palpate for slugs- I've tried but they're too soft & squishy, & you don't want to hurt your snake with excessive pressure. You might call & ask the vet about a scan?

Okay, thank you! I will update in case this helps any others.


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[Lord Sorril]

I have seen a lot of slug eggs, but, none like shown in the picture...combined with the unusual yellow excretion makes me think there may have been (or are) cysts present.

It will be interesting to see what the Vet finds.

Best of luck!

[gyrfalcongirl]

I have seen a lot of slug eggs, but, none like shown in the picture...combined with the unusual yellow excretion makes me think there may have been (or are) cysts present.

It will be interesting to see what the Vet finds.

Best of luck!

Oh wow. Good to know. I’ll definitely make an appt for her then. So you have seen cysts before in a BP? I didn’t even consider that. They are kind of squishy but definitely well-formed, if that makes sense. This is the second in 2 days.


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