Bad Neck Kink

[Russell Bye]

Hm. I re-watched the video several times.

The kink itself is not severe. It is visible a couple of times.

What I struggle with, is that the snake was alright up to the point it ate at your house. After researching the seller, it doesn't seem to be one of "those" that rip people off, is dishonest, etc. At first I thought that may be it, and that could explain the issue at hand. But it doesn't seem like he would put his reputation on the line, for one sale. He has plenty. He surly knows about the BOI and FBI.

Perhaps the snake was ok at his place aside from the minor kink. Perhaps it ate just fine. It arrived seemingly fine, even ate. I just don't see one meal causing these neurological issues. There are many kinked snakes, worse then that, that can still eat and it doesn't cause pressure on the spine and cork screwing. Honestly, these symptoms look more like overheating or exposure to a chemical.

Please understand that I am not trying to shift blame. Or criticize. Not at all, I am only trying to help, to help the animal. You can't help it until you figure out exactly what is causing this. There is no finger pointing.

Can you please explain the setup ? Do you perhaps have pictures ? Can you tell us how you heat the enclosure? Have there been any home improvement projects near the snake ? Any paint? Glues? Carpet treatments ? Pest control ?

I wouldn't even sell a snake with a slight kink. But some breeders do, at a discount. If he had full disclosure and the animal ate for him (and you) then he may just worry that its something you did. He doesn't know you personally, just like you do not know him personally.

Just because I have never heard of a minor kink suddenly causing neurological issues doesn't mean it cannot happen, either. But it would be beneficial for that snake to rule out other issues, esp. since some of those can be reversible.

Hope you understand and don't take offense.

I appreciate your help and advice. There are no environmental issues that would cause problems. He is housed in a reptile cabinet made of wood with glass front. It is heat controlled with a thermostat, I have thermometers in two spots, hot spot runs 90 and the cool side of the enclosure runs 70, I have 12 other ball pythons housed similar with no issue. When I filmed the video I put the snake in a tub a little off balance so it struggled so you can see how it moves at the kink. When he does crawl, he can move semi normal, but when he has to use his body in front of the kink he has no control of it. I know it is tough to diagnose something over the internet, but I am able to watch and observe him closely and I can tell you the problem is at the kink and not neurological. Unfortunately I did not get to see the little guy when he arrived and this is how I found him once he was given to me at Christmas. Again I am in no way offended at your questions and trying to help, a vet would be able to xray and determine the extent of spinal damage, but in the end it might answer some questions but I don't see a that it would change the outcome.