Python weight?

[xanaxez]

i would think they actually could if not properly treated in time, so i would have to say yes.

[snakevet121]

O wait no its a parasite, parasites need hosts too survive so they actually wont kill it, i learned about parasitism but maybe they could but if its a parasite it shouldnt die.

[Somed00d]

O wait no its a parasite, parasites need hosts too survive so they actually wont kill it, i learned about parasitism but maybe they could but if its a parasite it shouldnt die.

Tell that to the million or so dead from malaria (parasite)

If the parasite load is too high the snake dies. thats why we treat parasites!

[Muze]

Can the parasites kill him or is it just a matter of being too skinny and its not healthy for the snake?

They can kill your snake by robbing it of all nutritients. You could be feeding it the correct sized prey (which was not the case. Hoppers are too small for a 156g snake. Unless you were feeding 2-3), but you would not see any weight gain. This would mean that the snake was not absorbing any protein, fat, vitamins, etc. that it needs to survive. In addition, you could see diarrhea (which will contribute to the loss of nutrients and to dehydration), and regurgitation.

[Skiploder]

i'm not flaming but i think all pets should see a vet once in a while. i dont have but 4 snakes and all of mine go to the vet once a month for regular check ups and every other month fecal exams done. i love my animals =) lol not saying others dont care for all of their reptiles or anything and i know some people either cant afford to take them to vets all of the time or vets are a good ways from them. i know they are many reasons why alot of people cant but i do because i have a very decent vet and i only get chaged $48.00 a month for my check ups on all 4 and 52.50 for the 4 fecal exams every other month. long story short if you are going to keep it and its a pet you care for even if a drive is long just to ease your mind and and in the welfare of the snakes well being you should try very hard to take it to the vet just to make sure it does not have any parasites or any other problems that could keep the snake under weight or from being healthy.

Exams every month? Fecals every other month?

Why?

[WingedWolfPsion]

Captivity is an unnatural environment. In the wild, snakes are less likely to come back into contact with their own feces, thus reducing the chance they will be reinfected with shed parasite eggs. In captivity, they will be in contact with shed parasites constantly, even if you keep the cage quite clean. As a result, they build up higher and higher numbers of parasites in their bodies, which is what will eventually kill them. Severe weight loss is not the only problem that can be caused--parasites can cause a cloacal prolapse, and can migrate through the animal's body to sensitive organs, and even to the brain.

Consider that, if you believe positive thinking can make real changes, you would be going up against the will of other living things. If the parasite ARE there, you cannot make them disappear--they are ALIVE. Killing them that way would not be so easy--living things have the will to stay alive. It is best to find out whether or not they are there, for the health of your snake.

[Skiploder]

Captivity is an unnatural environment. In the wild, snakes are less likely to come back into contact with their own feces, thus reducing the chance they will be reinfected with shed parasite eggs. In captivity, they will be in contact with shed parasites constantly, even if you keep the cage quite clean. As a result, they build up higher and higher numbers of parasites in their bodies, which is what will eventually kill them. Severe weight loss is not the only problem that can be caused--parasites can cause a cloacal prolapse, and can migrate through the animal's body to sensitive organs, and even to the brain.

Consider that, if you believe positive thinking can make real changes, you would be going up against the will of other living things. If the parasite ARE there, you cannot make them disappear--they are ALIVE. Killing them that way would not be so easy--living things have the will to stay alive. It is best to find out whether or not they are there, for the health of your snake.

I agree that there is value to testing new arrivals and maybe running a fecal at the checkup every year.

But if you are practicing good husbandry skills and have treated all incoming animals for parasites, why a fecal every other month?

[xanaxez]

Exams every month? Fecals every other month?

Why?

because it isn't expensive and i want to make sure my animals are always healthy. i do not breed or sale animals, so these 4 are my babys and i will make sure they stay are treated at the slightest moment something might occur. some may think i am foolish but i just care for my snakes.

[snakevet121]

dont be rude and dont think you know everything on how the world works i respect you so respect me and my views. Small adult mice for a 156g ball python then?

[Somed00d]

dont be rude and dont think you know everything on how the world works i respect you so respect me and my views. Small adult mice for a 156g ball python then?

I am not a mice guy but a 150g ball could take a fat rat pup. i would say go with adult mice.