Fatty tail or?..... - Page 2

**Andy_G** · 03-29-16, 07:01 AM

If it were a female I would say that it's probably eggs in there...but that isn't the case here. I would get that thing to a vet ASAP. When a snake is that constipated, and make no mistake...it is very severely constipated...soaking and passing stool can actually compound the problem and/or cause a severe prolapse. Please keep us updated and best of luck.

**Aaron_S** · 03-29-16, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_G

If it were a female I would say that it's probably eggs in there...but that isn't the case here. I would get that thing to a vet ASAP. When a snake is that constipated, and make no mistake...it is very severely constipated...soaking and passing stool can actually compound the problem and/or cause a severe prolapse. Please keep us updated and best of luck.

I agree. The snake needs an x-ray to properly diagnose this problem right now.

Husbandry will have to be checked over to stop future similar issues but right now it needs a vet. Hopefully it doesn't prolapse.

**Minkness** · 03-29-16, 07:32 AM

What Andy and Aaron said

Albert Clark · 03-29-16, 08:41 AM

Wow! Certainly the definitive evaluation and diagnosis will come from the exotic vet. The consensus here is that it's a potential impaction/ constipation and we can talk about it forever but what we've done now is cover the bases and looked at some possibilities. So when the exotic vet begins taking a history of present illness you will be able to give the pertinent information that will be crucial in conjunction with the diagnostic testing to make a definitive diagnosis. Make sure to see a exotic reptile vet who can give you the best information. Usually it the Center for avian and exotics whe re you can reference them in your area. Please keep us updated on the progress. Great job and good luck.

UserNameIsValid · 03-29-16, 06:34 PM

So I soaked him for about a half hour with warm water, and massaged the affected area. I could feel three lumps inside him, which he passed after awhile. They were huge! Like the size of his head! After these came liquid feces and gas. Now he's ok, but I'm wondering what could've caused this in the first place. When I look it up everything says IBD, but I've had him for a year, and he's never been around other snakes, nor shared anything with other snakes to catch it. Is it something with my husbandry? Hoping someone knows....

**Minkness** · 03-29-16, 06:59 PM

It probably wasn't IBD. Snakes are like people we can all eat the same thing but it may affect us differently. It could just be that he doesn't digest the fur and bones as efficiently as other snakes. Your care sounds spot on, so I wouldn't worry too much.

I'm glad this worked for you though. Just keep an eye on him to see if it happens again. If it does, you may want to take him in for trsting as there may be an underlying cause.

=)

Albert Clark · 03-29-16, 07:09 PM

Well, that's great news and congrats for getting him better. I think it's a good idea to at least get him a wellness visit at the exotic vet and explain what was going on with the python. As far as the IBD is concerned it's a retrovirus and I am not sure if it would cause something like this with ball pythons. IBD is a disease that affects the central and peripheral nervous system of boa constrictors. I think it's quickly fatal in ball pythons if they become symptomatic. Some ball pythons can be asymptomatic carriers.

**Andy_G** · 03-30-16, 07:09 AM

Glad to hear. I hope it's the end of the problem for you.

@Albert - The last time I really looked into IBD, I thought that boas were commonly asymptomatic, but all pythons were taken down rather quickly with it. Has this info changed? I would love to brush up on the subject.

Albert Clark · 03-30-16, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_G

Glad to hear. I hope it's the end of the problem for you.

@Albert - The last time I really looked into IBD, I thought that boas were commonly asymptomatic, but all pythons were taken down rather quickly with it. Has this info changed? I would love to brush up on the subject.

Andy, from what I have researched IBD is included in most boids but it is primarily identified in multiple subspecies of boa constrictor. It's included in green anaconda, Haitian boa, Burmese python, Indian python, reticulated python, ball pythons. Even carpet and diamond pythons have been reported to have IBD. The literature does relate the boa constrictor to be the primary species affected and presenting with the disease. There is reported regurgitation as one of the signs and symptoms but nothing on impaction /constipation as OP has stated.

Sylphie · 03-30-16, 07:26 AM

My girl that I got 3 weeks ago has the same problem. I'll wait two days more, and if nothing changes I'll try a warm soak too.

**Andy_G** · 03-30-16, 08:47 AM

I'm aware that virtually all species of boas and python are affected by this retrovirus, as well as the signs and symptoms of the disease, and also that boa constrictors are the primary species affected. The last I had been actively keeping and breeding boids would have been in 2005 or 2006 (and to be honest it's been longer than that since I had ball pythons...not really a ball python guy

) so I therefore haven't kept up on the subject, and at that time it was known that boas of most subspecies could carry the disease for years without one knowing and be asymptomatic for rather prolonged periods of time, but any pythons that contracted the disease had a very acute onset and were taken down very quickly and usually showed severe signs of the affliction within the first few weeks after contracting the virus. What I want to know specifically is this; has this changed? I wouldn't be surprised because of how quickly it mutates, but I would love to know.

Albert Clark · 03-30-16, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_G

Glad to hear. I hope it's the end of the problem for you.

@Albert - The last time I really looked into IBD, I thought that boas were commonly asymptomatic, but all pythons were taken down rather quickly with it. Has this info changed? I would love to brush up on the subject.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_G

I'm aware that virtually all species of boas and python are affected by this retrovirus, as well as the signs and symptoms of the disease, and also that boa constrictors are the primary species affected. The last I had been actively keeping and breeding boids would have been in 2005 or 2006 (and to be honest it's been longer than that since I had ball pythons...not really a ball python guy

) so I therefore haven't kept up on the subject, and at that time it was known that boas of most subspecies could carry the disease for years without one knowing and be asymptomatic for rather prolonged periods of time, but any pythons that contracted the disease had a very acute onset and were taken down very quickly and usually showed severe signs of the affliction within the first few weeks after contracting the virus. What I want to know specifically is this; has this changed? I wouldn't be surprised because of how quickly it mutates, but I would love to know.

No, I believe you are correct. There are asymptomatic carriers in boa constrictors however they have been the species identified as the most affected. Certainly ball pythons, like you say, would go down rather quickly.
@ Minkness: IBD is primarily a disease isolated in boids. Boa constrictors and pythons and even king snakes who have been in the company of boids. All species affected have also been reported to have been suffering a MITE infestation . So that was unusual for a gecko to contract it.

**Minkness** · 03-30-16, 08:48 AM

IBD is a possibility in any reptile btw. I learned that when I attempted a rescue of a gecko years ago. Thin, wouldn't eat, if force fed would regurge, and had dark spots on it's belly. Took it to the vet after it died....IBD.... thank goodness for my STRICT quarintine. I just threw everything that I had used for it away. Tub, tongs, hide, water dish, ext. It is very contagious and known as 'the collection killer' for a reason, AND can cross species contaminate. Very serious stuff.

Impaction can be a symptom as the IBD that is most well known is an intestinal issue that can cause some nuro issues due to improper digestion of key nutrients leading to the brain and other irgans eventually shutting down. There is almost no cure for this, even if caught early. The best you can do is euthanize.

**Andy_G** · 03-30-16, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

IBD is a possibility in any reptile btw. I learned that when I attempted a rescue of a gecko years ago. Thin, wouldn't eat, if force fed would regurge, and had dark spots on it's belly. Took it to the vet after it died....IBD.... thank goodness for my STRICT quarintine. I just threw everything that I had used for it away. Tub, tongs, hide, water dish, ext. It is very contagious and known as 'the collection killer' for a reason, AND can cross species contaminate. Very serious stuff.

Impaction can be a symptom as the IBD that is most well known is an intestinal issue that can cause some nuro issues due to improper digestion of key nutrients leading to the brain and other irgans eventually shutting down. There is almost no cure for this, even if caught early. The best you can do is euthanize.

Dark spots on the belly as well as impaction is a clear cut sign of a cryptosporidium infection. I also find it odd that you mention that the first place it is often found is in the GI tract, as it used to be found within the brain/respiratory tract most often when the specimen is necropsied...but I do find this interesting and can't discount what your vet said simply because I don't know enough. What I know of IBD is from a long time ago. I do however know that with IBD there is no cure and everything used on the animal should be discarded, and it spreads very quickly just as you said. So much can change with these things.

**Minkness** · 03-30-16, 09:09 AM

Doh!

I got them mixed up!

You are right about the crypto. Uuuuhg...feel so stupid now...

I do know that the other IBD stuff is right though because that was something I talked to the vet about when all that happened. (Again, years ago)

Sorry for the confusion.

Both are super bad though. =(

Pretty sure this guy just had to poop though. It happens sometimes. Lol