ball python bloating?

herpetoculturist14 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 01:48 AM

ok ... one of my ball pythons is really bloated... at first glance i just thought it was from the gerbils he ate on tuesday and it wasnt.....he is just bloated in a little over half of his body ...... i have never had this happen before is there any home remedies i could do to get rid of it...??

VoodooChile · #2 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 01:49 AM

I probably wouldnt handle it just yet if it just ate Tuesday...But perhaps this weekend you could give it a nice soak in lukewarm water..sounds like hes about to poop maybe. Mine always look fatter and fuller a couple of days after they eat

Adrya · #3 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 02:11 AM

Hmm.... this could be any number of things.

What are the temps on the hot and cool side and does the snake have belly heat? Humidity?

The snake may also be a bit dehydrated and otherwise is a bit constipated, or has to poop as stated before.

I also agree that you may have to soak the snake for a few hours in luke-warm water... to keep the water semi-warm you may put half the container you're using to soak the snake in on top of a heating pad.. but like I said, only half to 1/4 of the container.

But I also would give the snake some time if it's just eaten.

Adrya · #4 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 02:16 AM

Here is an old thread of someone else's snake that had a bloating problem.... there's lots of info here for you to read.

Pics of my snake bloating?

Adrya · #5 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 02:21 AM

Okay, now when you said "gerbils", how many did you mean?

How big is this ball python?
How often is it fed?
How much each feeding?

herpetoculturist14 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 02:30 AM

he had two gerbils... the humidity is up at 75% and the heat is 85-89... an under tank heater and a basking lamp..... its never done this before..... and it is squishy to the touch not firm like after they eat. he has a large soaking bowl on one side of the tank also..... soo i just dont know

jpaulson · #7 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 02:44 AM

What type of feeding schedule do you have him on?

herpetoculturist14 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 02:49 AM

once a week.... its the first time he has had a gerbil.. they are smaller than the rats i give him but they have more fur i dont know if that makes a difference

CruiserMaiden · #9 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 02:58 AM

My ball Pudge ate a rather large meal (it was a frozen med. rat but it was nearly a large) he didnt poo for over a month and a half and he showed some of the same symptoms you are describing. In particular the lower part of his body was bloated especially around his vent area. (He has a broken back and we were afraid that somehow the meal was too big and had caused blockage) Anyhow, after a month and a half he took a small rat and two days later he poo'd a pretty big one, and was back to normal.

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