Im looking for some advice about my ball python

[tttaylorrr]

just a shot in the dark: that's likely a bad vet. you had a specific reason for being there and that was totally ignored? big red flag.

regarding the description of what's happening: i almost worry about parasites.

[JodanOrNoDan]

just a shot in the dark: that's likely a bad vet. you had a specific reason for being there and that was totally ignored? big red flag.

regarding the description of what's happening: i almost worry about parasites.

Yeah, probably wouldn't have hurt to have a fecal done. It would help to be able to actually see the behavior. My males are very active when they want to breed however I have never seen them do any displays without the female being around. My females on the other hand will often put their tails up and, forgive me, squirt a little even without the male being in the same cage.

The oddest thing I have ever seen a reptile do was when my daughter's tortoise fell in love with his water bowl. I kept hearing chirping and went to see what it was. He had "mounted" the water bowl and was chirping. I didn't even know they vocalized at all.

[Bogertophis]

Yeah, probably wouldn't have hurt to have a fecal done. It would help to be able to actually see the behavior. My males are very active when they want to breed however I have never seen them do any displays without the female being around. My females on the other hand will often put their tails up and, forgive me, squirt a little even without the male being in the same cage.

The oddest thing I have ever seen a reptile do was when my daughter's tortoise fell in love with his water bowl. I kept hearing chirping and went to see what it was. He had "mounted" the water bowl and was chirping. I didn't even know they vocalized at all.

I didn't know that either.

[Bogertophis]

No he didn't

(re confirming that "he" is a "he") It's too bad he didn't do that, as that likely would have helped diagnostically, if there was infection or debris.
And I certainly don't "know" that's the problem, but it's just a possibility.

Good grief...you shouldn't have to draw a picture for the vet... And a fecal to see if parasites are causing his weight loss would have been good too.

[Kiley]

Crappy vet most likely. That said there are not many good ones when it comes to snakes.

I called a lot of vets in my area and most people didn't look at reptiles. Two vets recommend this vet to me. When I called to make an appointment I double checked with them that he had a good amount of experience and they assured me that he did saying the zoo sends reptiles into him all the time. I'm just going to keep trying to figure this out myself.

[Bogertophis]

I called a lot of vets in my area and most people didn't look at reptiles. Two vets recommend this vet to me. When I called to make an appointment I double checked with them that he had a good amount of experience and they assured me that he did saying the zoo sends reptiles into him all the time. I'm just going to keep trying to figure this out myself.

If he didn't do a fecal while you were there, you might try calling back, see if you can take him a sample to check; he's already seen the snake, can't hardly say no.
Might take a while for your snake to 'make something' since he's not eating so often, & you want to take it fresh...but it never hurts to check in advance with the vet.

[Jellybeans]

Yeah...I'm all for fecals !
My boy was showing no signs of having parasites but a while back when I took him to the vet they recommend doing a fecal anyway and it's a good thing because he was loaded down with protozoans!
What state do you live in?

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[Kiley]

Thanks, that's what I planned on doing as soon as he poos. I don't want to give this guy my business again so Im going to keep looking into vets and hopefully work with someone else.

- - - Updated - - -

Yeah...I'm all for fecals !
My boy was showing no signs of having parasites but a while back when I took him to the vet they recommend doing a fecal anyway and it's a good thing because he was loaded down with protozoans!
What state do you live in?

Sent from my LGMP260 using Tapatalk

Minnesota

[Bogertophis]

Thanks, that's what I planned on doing as soon as he poos. I don't want to give this guy my business again so Im going to keep looking into vets and hopefully work with someone else....

I don't blame you for not wanting to go back to him...the only reason I suggested that was that another vet may insist upon a full exam before just doing a fecal.

http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

[Kiley]

How in the world do you upload a photo? I'm new here, sorry. I have an ok photo that may help show his weight. I think he's a bit skinny but I'm no expert. I wish I had a video or picture of his cloaca business...lol...but I don't. Also, he hasn't been opening it like he was. I wonder if whatever was in there is out now? I wish I knew how to look. Im on a couple fb snake groups and am considering asking for help popping him, of course from someone with experience. Idk.