What's Wrong With My BP ?

[Clarabomji]

I noticed this morning that my snake was acting oddly. He kept twisting his head around and pointing his head back in the air nd he is also pushing against the glass a lot. I don't think it's mites however. When I pet him he kept moving his head around quickly and when I held him his tail was flicking around which he doesn't normally do. He hasn't gone to the bathroom in a while so I can't tell if he's merely irritated or if it's a more serious problem. I was just wondering if anyone had any possible answers or solutions to make this behavior go away.

[SlitherinSisters]

Do you think he's trying to find a way to escape? Snakes are escape artists and spend a lot of time trying to find a way out.

[Clarabomji]

He's never acted like this before, although he has grown a lot since I've gotten him so it's possible he's becoming more adventurous. I just hope it doesn't turn out to be something more serious. The only thing that really worries me is how much he's been moving, it's as if he's very antsy. Earlier today he had his head curled up against his neck while the rest of him was spread out in the cage, which is a weird enough position for him in the first place, and then when I came back from the bathroom less than a minute later he was uncurled again. He just keeps stopping then moving and just repeating the process.

[Exotic Ectotherms]

Is he a morph or a "normal" BP? How long have you had him? Have you used any chemicals in the tank recently...like mite killer? Do you have any other reptiles in the house?

[Clarabomji]

We took my snake to the vet and found out that he had IBD. He was basically starving to death and it was also affecting the neurological part of his brain which is why he was moving so oddly, because he could no longer tell up from down. We decided that it would be best to put him down in order to stop his suffering. He will definitely be missed as he was my first snake and my first companion that I could truly call my own even though we we're together for only a month.

[dr del]

I hate to say this.

The chance he had IBD is fairly small.

There are a few things that can cause that type of behaviour such as protozoan infection, over heating and toxic exposure.

If he has been growing and eating in the month you had him I'd say those were almost infinitely more likely to have been the problem.


dr del

[bcr229]

We took my snake to the vet and found out that he had IBD.

It might be too late if the body has already been disposed of, but I would have the snake necropsied to be certain either way. Also, I see you're in MD - which vet did you use? If there's a vet within driving distance of me (I'm close to Hagerstown) that can diagnose IBD in just a few hours that would be very useful to know.

[MsMissy]

I'm sorry of your loss. Even in the short time I've had my Nagini, she is part of the family. I hope you find out exactly what took him from you.

[Clarabomji]

I don't really care whether it was IBD or not, all I know is that he was in pain and suffering and I'm just glad we took him to the vet earlier rather than later in order to put him out of his misery. I went to Chadwell Veterinary Clinic in Abingdon because my aunt had a problem previously with one of her snakes and she said they were really good. I agree with her because the doctor who saw my snake knew what she was talking about and took one look at Basil and knew what was wrong with him. Even if IBD is rare its still go to happen to somebody and the breed of snake mine was is known for having it often. I'm just glad he's not in pain anymore because it hurt to seem him that way.

[satomi325]

I thought IBD couldn't be diagnosed without a biopsy of the organs and only after the specimen has passed?


I'm sorry for your loss.

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