How do broken ribs affect a young BP?

[Argentra]

Ok, just got an update on the little pastel given to me yesterday:

The store owner (who has had classes in herp vet care tho he isn't fully certified) took a look at him and reported that he's moving around, using his tongue well, and they were able to soak off all the remnants of a bad dry shed. However, he also said it seems the poor little guy has some broken ribs about 3/4 down his body. They guess the snake might have been lost for a while, as he's also not much bigger than when they sold it to the man a month ago, and got injured then as the damage doesn't seem new.

So, they'll be trying a feeding tomorrow with a small mouse, but I wanted to know if anyone has had to deal with broken ribs in BPs before? If so, how did that affect the snake and did they fully recover? I'm not attached to the little guy yet, but I do really want to be able to bring him home safe and healthy...

[ladywhipple02]

I've had a couple snakes with deformed ribs before, but never one with newly broken ribs.

In any case, I would recommend feeding him smaller meals that he can swallow easily for awhile. See how he gets around, if he's moving all right... feeding is always going to be the real test. If he eats, how he eats, etc.

As always, get him to the vet for a check-up, just to make sure nothing's poking in a bad spot.

I've found that snakes are incredibly resilient creatures... they can live through a LOT of torture (sadly). Sounds like your little boy just needs some TLC and he'll be back in good shape in no time!

[bcampos]

what are herp vet care classes? and who certifies you in such a thing?

[pythontricker]

can they put casts on the snake or what? forgive me if i sound stuped

[Thunder Kat]

what are herp vet care classes? and who certifies you in such a thing?

certain colleges teach them as a kinda side course for biology. the two universities that i was checking out are catawba in nc and unlv in nv. my husband and i are planing to move to vegas when we are done with school, and i want to try to get in at unlv. as far as the broken rib i don't know if there is any thing you can do to help, maybe an antibiotic might help.

[frankykeno]

Personally Kathryn I wouldn't be feeding a snake that needed to see a vet first. If no one is sure what affect broken ribs would have or the degree of injury this snake has sustained...well then I'm not sure why this pet store guy is rushing to feed a snake that should be instead heading in to see the vet immediately.

[Thunder Kat]

Personally Kathryn I wouldn't be feeding a snake that needed to see a vet first. If no one is sure what affect broken ribs would have or the degree of injury this snake has sustained...well then I'm not sure why this pet store guy is rushing to feed a snake that should be instead heading in to see the vet immediately.

Glad you pointed that out. Some how I over looked that he was going to try to feed. I would think that constricting would further damage the rib!

[mxrider42]

I have had this problem. There is nothing a vet can do for it except tell you he has a broken rib. Since the snake is still very young its bones are still cartilidge. So they will straighten themselves out. Just give the guy time and smaller meals. He will solve the problem on his own.
Thanks
Trey

[frankykeno]

Trey, not to disagree dear but I think when it comes to diagnosing what is actually wrong with this snake and suggesting a treatment plan it's likely safer in the long run to have it seen by a herp vet. What if it's not broken ribs, or more than the ribs involved? I may be erring on the side of caution here, but I'd always rather suggest a vet see a snake when there's something more than simple husbandry issues in play.

[mxrider42]

I called and explained the situation to my vet. He said there was nothing he could do about broken ribs.
Every situation is a little different. I had my snake since it came out of the egg so I knew what exactly happened and when.
Getting a vet's help can never hurt you. Its better to be safe than sorry.
I never meant not to see a vet.
Thanks and Sorry
Trey