Baby ball python acting/looking weird. Please help.

[cappellini95]

A new ball python bought from peptic about three weeks ago. I fed him a frozen pinky about two weeks ago, and he took it fine. I also haven't seen him defecate either...Recently tried to feed him again and refused it. He was doing this weird head bob back and forth and I didn't understand what it was. Tonight he developed another symptom, about half of his underside concaves in and is swollen at the end. His jaw also seems askew. Right now I have him soaking in a warm bath, actively keeping an eye on him. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

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[Galaxygirl]

Oooh I believe the sunken in look is due to severe dehydration, someone correct me if I'm wrong. I would recommend you stop soaking him, as that helps nothing, especially if he's not drinking the water. It will just stress him and remove essential oils from his scales.

A pinky is too small, whether it is a rat pinky or a mouse pinky. How much does he weigh? He should probably be eating rat pups at least.

[cappellini95]

Pictures area attached.

[Bcycling]

I'm no expert but I would say vet, but I wonder if it would even live to make it to the vet. Something is really wrong there.

[AdrianAlexander]

Sitting upside down like that might indicate a neurological issue, but I fear the only times I've heard of a ball python lying upside down is gravid females and death. He looks very thin, likely underfed and I agree with the dehydration worry. Good on you for getting him in the tub, hopefully that helps. When you set him right-side up in your hands, does he move? Does he try to move back onto his back? Also, he definitely needs something bigger than a fuzzy of any kind. What is his set-up like? Is the UTH controlled? You said Petco, right? What were they feeding him beforehand? Get him to the vet ASAP, hopefully they can help...It's always a toss-up when you buy from a pet store.

[bcr229]

That baby is near death IMO.

What are the temperatures and humidity in his enclosure - what are you using for heat and how are you regulating the heat sources to ensure they don't make the enclosure too warm?

[O'Mathghamhna]

I'm no expert but I would say vet, but I wonder if it would even live to make it to the vet. Something is really wrong there.

Yep, unfortunately he looks/sounds near death to me. I would take him to the vet ER right away I'm sorry it's happening.

[AdrianAlexander]

You might want to read up on Inclusion Body Disease, the symptoms are mostly there. I'm hoping this isn't it.

[Galaxygirl]

Sitting upside down like that might indicate a neurological issue, but I fear the only times I've heard of a ball python lying upside down is gravid females and death. He looks very thin, likely underfed and I agree with the dehydration worry. Good on you for getting him in the tub, hopefully that helps. When you set him right-side up in your hands, does he move? Does he try to move back onto his back? Also, he definitely needs something bigger than a fuzzy of any kind. What is his set-up like? Is the UTH controlled? You said Petco, right? What were they feeding him beforehand? Get him to the vet ASAP, hopefully they can help...It's always a toss-up when you buy from a pet store.

Snakes scales are designed to be resistant to water and placing them in water does not hydrate the snake unless it is drinking the water, so why recommend the bath?

[AdrianAlexander]

I'm a little noobish myself, and I've only read good things about soaking a ball python after a bad shed, etc. It's a bit of a desperate situation and worth bringing up any possible help, what little we can do at this time. I also highly doubt this is a dehydration issue so much as it's a neurological one. He looks super skinny.