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arcticpaint · #1 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 12:32 AM

Hey everyone,
I have a question about my boa's poop. I've had him for almost a month, and he's pooped about once a week until about a week and a half ago, and he hasn't pooped since then. He also hasn't eaten since then, as he's going through shed (still more than a week out of milky eyes and no shed). Today I came home to find a MUCH larger sample than he's given before, and much different physically. Usually, it's just a little bit, brown and white, about the size of a pencil eraser. This time, there's one big white ball, looks almost like a tiny balloon, and a pile of brown mushy poo, about the size of a quarter. It looks as if he pood and then laid in it. It's never looked like this before. I'm worried because of this, and the fact that it's been over a week after his eyes cleared up and he's still not shedding more than a little bit on his head. Is he okay?? Is it okay to handle him now to give him a bath, or to do the washcloth thing. I'll post a pic of his poo, also. Thank you everyone!!

Schwartz · #2 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 12:35 AM

I wouldnt be to concerned the white is urates. and the mush is probably due to increased water intake from getting ready to shed.

mpgt · #3 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 12:37 AM

I'd get a sample of that to the vet to check for parasites.

arcticpaint · #4 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 12:41 AM

Ok, I also noticed that the lower part of his body was alot larger than it had been, right before his tail. I thought he just had to poo, and since he did it definitely went down in size.

I thought about parasites, also, but is there any other way to know if that's the case? Also, this is my first rtb, and I hear about mites. Could that be it, and how will I know if he has them? Is it okay to handle him with the delayed shed and all to help him out? Thanks!!

mpgt · #5 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 12:46 AM

If he has intestinal problems, that's far more serious than mites. I wouldn't feed him again until he saw a vet and/or finished shedding properly. If I remember one of your other threads, the shed came off his head a couple of days ago. Is that right??

spix14 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 12:47 AM

The only way to know if it's parasites is to take a stool sample to your vet. I doubt it was mites that caused it...though you may want to check for them just in case. They will look like little black dots crawling around on your snake, or in the water bowl. I'd try not to handle him much right now, at least not until you figure out what's wrong...where do you keep your humidity at? That could be the problem as to why he isn't shedding correctly.

arcticpaint · #7 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 12:55 AM

Yes, that's right, the shed came off of his head day before yesterday but he doesn't seem to be making progress anywhere else.

As far as the humidity, I'm almost sure that's the problem. This is my first boa, and the temps and humidity have given me the most trouble. I'm trying to keep it between 55-60, but I upped it to the 70's to try to help him with the shed. But, sometimes I'll either get up in the morning or come home from work and the humidity is either too high or too low. Low being 43, high being 86. I'm also going to build an enclosure I found through a forum on here to help me with the regulation. But definitely the heat/humidity regulation has kicked my butt, and unfortunately but obviously, the snake's as well. Will he be okay?

mpgt · #8 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcticpaint

Yes, that's right, the shed came off of his head day before yesterday but he doesn't seem to be making progress anywhere else.
As far as the humidity, I'm almost sure that's the problem. This is my first boa, and the temps and humidity have given me the most trouble. I'm trying to keep it between 55-60, but I upped it to the 70's to try to help him with the shed. But, sometimes I'll either get up in the morning or come home from work and the humidity is either too high or too low. Low being 43, high being 86. I'm also going to build an enclosure I found through a forum on here to help me with the regulation. But definitely the heat/humidity regulation has kicked my butt, and unfortunately but obviously, the snake's as well. Will he be okay?

"Will he be okay?" ...only if you make the necessary adjustments to provide for his needs. By now, you know where the temp and humidity need to be. I think it ought to be relatively stable. If memory serves me, you rely on heat lamps. I recommended UTH. Go back and read some of your other threads. Most of the answers you need are there. You need to make some changes. The sooner, the better.

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