HELP! Baby ball python extremely skinny and corkscrewing!

[Snakesnipe]

Here are the pictures I have so far.





https://ibb.co/DgK2Sr5
https://ibb.co/XJG2pGm
https://ibb.co/FxNkqjR
https://ibb.co/82SLNCg

looking at your pictures that you posted the snake looks to have some injuries on its sides as well either from rubbing or from improperly trying to remove shed. I would say if you are soaking the snake you also do a betadine soak ( you can find this at Walmart) add it to the water it should look like watery tea color. as far as the feeding i don’t know how long you have had the snake but when first receiving a snake you want to allow atleast a week before you even think to feed or mess with the snake. Ball pythons can be picky eaters if they are being transitioned from live to f/t. This might take a while but the snake will eat. Also ball pythons will at times go on hunger strikes and they might not feed for a few weeks. Recommend taking snake to a vet if you are really concerned.

When purchasing a ball python as well you want to not only inspect the snake but you want really get the feel from the breeder. If you don’t get a good warm fuzzy feeling about the breeder rule of thumb don’t buy from them. I would question the genetics of the snake as well. I have pastels and super pastels and I’m not really seeing it. In future ball python purchases I would say use www.morphmarket.com. Or go to a local reptile show. I found in going to reptile shows when I started my collection. I made great connections with some experienced breeders and hobbyists that know there stuff and want to help as they are local.

[Malum Argenteum]

In future ball python purchases I would say use www.morphmarket.com. Or go to a local reptile show.

With either of these options (well, any animal purchase, really) a lot of research on the seller is a good idea. I don't know about ball pythons specifically, but MM has more listings with incorrect IDs on other snake species than I'm comfortable recommending a novice keeper try to catch. Some are honest mistakes (that the sellers correct when informed, if they are informed) and some are clear and certain deception for profit that sellers block messages regarding. I've not seen any of this come up in seller reviews there, so buyer beware.

Reptile expos are...interesting, having been on the other side of the table for a while.

With both these options, a breeder focusing specifically or primarily on your species of choice is typically a better bet than a breeder of many diverse species (which I am, so this isn't a self-serving plug), and either of those are 100X better than a flipper (someone who buys and resells many species, most of which they are typically only faintly familiar with, and specimens that they do not know the history of first hand).

OP, I'm glad your snake seems to be doing better. Adorable little guy.

[supremenoser]

So I see the new posts about the injuries to his sides. I'll do the betadine if he lives through the night but I don't think his chances are good. He seems to be having seizures now, he coils up into a tight corkscrew like all his muscles are contracting without him doing it. Also I don't know what's causing it but suddenly his belly is all contracted up into him making him into a U shape, like he's a long bowl. I doubt he'll even eat tonight but I'll try anyways.

I got a hold of the breeder and he apologized and is going to give me a refund. He admitted to knowing the snake wasn't doing very well and said he shouldn't have sold him. I wish he would've told me that in the first place. But i guess all I can do now is try to keep him alive though I'm not very optimistic.

In the case this snake doesn't make it does anybody know what the best solution to clean and sanitize everything is? And is there an amount of time I should wait to make sure any germs have died before getting another snake? I don't know if I'm going to get another one if he doesn't make it, but I figure it's good to ask.

[KMG]

So I see the new posts about the injuries to his sides. I'll do the betadine if he lives through the night but I don't think his chances are good. He seems to be having seizures now, he coils up into a tight corkscrew like all his muscles are contracting without him doing it. Also I don't know what's causing it but suddenly his belly is all contracted up into him making him into a U shape, like he's a long bowl. I doubt he'll even eat tonight but I'll try anyways.

I got a hold of the breeder and he apologized and is going to give me a refund. He admitted to knowing the snake wasn't doing very well and said he shouldn't have sold him. I wish he would've told me that in the first place. But i guess all I can do now is try to keep him alive though I'm not very optimistic.

In the case this snake doesn't make it does anybody know what the best solution to clean and sanitize everything is? And is there an amount of time I should wait to make sure any germs have died before getting another snake? I don't know if I'm going to get another one if he doesn't make it, but I figure it's good to ask.

Well the seller doesn't sound all bad....just a novice it seems.

From what you describe it sounds like a neuro issues caused by overheating. I have seen it in snake before and it looked just as you described. I doubt the snake makes it much longer and honestly I would not try to feed it and cause any more stress to its fragile state.

Looking for a positive being it seems to be from overheating you don't have to worry as much about things left behind. I would clean everything with bleach and water as that is my main go to.

[Bogertophis]

I'm so sorry, but you've done what you could for this snake, & I'm really glad that you talked to the guy you got him from- I hope he comes through with the refund. It might be he really needed the money- but yes, it was dishonest. I doubt he's able to eat or that the "wound care" will matter, but it's easy enough if you have some Betadine on hand. You never know?

I agree that from your description, this snake isn't likely to survive. The guy you got him from actually bred this snake? or was he just "flipping" (re-selling) him? Is this the only sick snake he has? NOT that you can believe much of anything he says now- so while I'd love to believe this snake was merely overheated, I also have to say that it's potentially IBD, & if I were you (thinking about another pet) I'd assume the worst & clean as if that's what it was. The only way to confirm it would be expensive testing & you'd need to see a vet, so I doubt that's in your plans.

It's been a while since we discussed IBD on here & I've never dealt with it- there might be some newer info now- I'll get back to you or you can do some searching also, but it used to be recommended to wait months (6?) or even a year (I think?) to be sure your home is safe for a new healthy snake. Unfortunately, BPs are like the "canary in the coal mine"- they succumb rather quickly to this nasty disease. (Some boas or other snakes can carry it for a while without symptoms- maybe even share it without ever getting sick too?)

It's really hard to see a helpless creature in this kind of shape- I must say, you seem to be handling this quite well.

[supremenoser]

I'm so sorry, but you've done what you could for this snake, & I'm really glad that you talked to the guy you got him from- I hope he comes through with the refund. It might be he really needed the money- but yes, it was dishonest. I doubt he's able to eat or that the "wound care" will matter, but it's easy enough if you have some Betadine on hand. You never know?

I agree that from your description, this snake isn't likely to survive. The guy you got him from actually bred this snake? or was he just "flipping" (re-selling) him? Is this the only sick snake he has? NOT that you can believe much of anything he says now- so while I'd love to believe this snake was merely overheated, I also have to say that it's potentially IBD, & if I were you (thinking about another pet) I'd assume the worst & clean as if that's what it was. The only way to confirm it would be expensive testing & you'd need to see a vet, so I doubt that's in your plans.

It's been a while since we discussed IBD on here & I've never dealt with it- there might be some newer info now- I'll get back to you or you can do some searching also, but it used to be recommended to wait months (6?) or even a year (I think?) to be sure your home is safe for a new healthy snake. Unfortunately, BPs are like the "canary in the coal mine"- they succumb rather quickly to this nasty disease. (Some boas or other snakes can carry it for a while without symptoms- maybe even share it without ever getting sick too?)

It's really hard to see a helpless creature in this kind of shape- I must say, you seem to be handling this quite well.

He bred the snake, he apparently has a ton of others he keeps too who are apparently fine so maybe it's not IBD but I'll still wait a couple months and make sure the whole area is scrubbed clean. I'll do some research on it as well.

It really sucks, especially seeing him convulse and struggle. I'm probably handling it better because I used to foster kittens and a whole lot of them were sick and ended up dying so you kinda get desensitized to it I guess. Still really sucks though, and it's really discouraging. The reason I was able to get a snake was because I ended up having to surrender the fish I had for years because I have a spine injury and can't lift water to do water changes and the local fish store didn't want to have to sell the tank so they just took the fish so I have this tank that's perfect for a snake so that made me feel better about having to give up the fish but now this. Anyways, that's the story, it's been a sad week. I'll keep holding out hope that the little guy might pull through. Thanks again for all your help, you guys have all been so beyond helpful and welcoming, i really appreciate it.

[Bogertophis]

He bred the snake, he apparently has a ton of others he keeps too who are apparently fine so maybe it's not IBD but I'll still wait a couple months and make sure the whole area is scrubbed clean. I'll do some research on it as well....

I'm wasn't kidding when I say that among snake breeders (especially BPs) that IBD is something everyone fears because it can wipe out a breeder's collection & investment or livelihood- so we try hard NOT to jump to any conclusions when someone has a snake with neurological symptoms (corkscrewing- unable to right itself- etc.) because it's NOT the only thing that can cause that.

Besides overheating, the over-exposure to some chemicals- pesticides- can sure cause this too. But I have to bring it up now so you're aware that it's a possibility with the symptoms this snake has. It's also underweight & the inability to eat is an issue with IBD too. So since it's unlikely you'll test for it, & may want to get another snake... Your source of this snake- no telling how much he knows, & maybe he's in denial & wanted to blame over-heating- so I would just rather have you be "safe than sorry" in case this snake is NOT suffering from a "heat injury". There's no way we can know for sure right now. Again, so sorry...

[Malum Argenteum]

OP, I'm glad your snake seems to be doing better.

I wrote this without having watched the corkscrewing video. I was focusing on the couple hints that he may be coming around, but it doesn't sound good at this point. I'm really sorry for your situation.

As for disinfection: after all soiling has been removed with soap and water (likely none in this case, as I assume the snake hasn't pooped), soaking all items in a 10% bleach solution for 10 minutes is effective (that is, mix one part Regular Chlorox Disinfecting Bleach with 9 parts tap water and use the resulting solution to disinfect). Rinse well afterwards. Substrate and such should be discarded, but plastic and wood items can be disinfected and reused.

Both nidovirus and arenavirus (the most concerning pathogens for pythons, I believe) are enveloped viruses, and as such pretty easy to inactivate, though this disinfection protocol should be effective against virtually any pathogen. The solution will also damage your skin and eat holes in your clothes, so use caution and keep children and pets far away.

Alternately, non porous surfaces can be disinfected with a 70% - 90% alcohol spray, allowed to air dry. The spray has to contact all surfaces, and so for some items the bleach soak is best.

[supremenoser]

So unfortunately the little guy died a couple hours ago, I went to feed him and he was totally limp and not breathing at all. I watched him for a while just to make sure but yeah he's definitely dead. I just got done thoroughly cleaning the area, soaked the hides and everything in that bleach solution that was recommended and scrubbed the tank and lights and everything near the tank with alcohol. I also used disinfectant spray on the carpet and all surrounding furniture and everything I came in contact with after getting the snake. I'll probably go through and disinfect everything again once a day or at least once a week until I get a new snake. I've said it a million times but thank you to everybody who replied to the thread, I would've been so lost without you guys and your wonderful help. Hopefully I'll be posting about a new healthy, happy ball python sometime soon.

[Bogertophis]

What a rotten way to start off with keeping snakes- so sorry- I hope the poor little guy can rest in peace now.

FYI- snakes can take a long time to actually pass, even when they appear dead. Not that I'd expect him to make a come-back though.

Good job on the disinfection- just in case. Let's hope you have much happier snake-times ahead. (It could hardly be worse.) We'll look forward to your updates.