HELP! Baby ball python extremely skinny and corkscrewing!

[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.