Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi i have a suriname rtb that's about a year old and i noticed that she is constipated, i was woundering what some of your ways of dealling with this are in this species? from brbs and anacondas i've herd soaking in warm water and massaging the rear end area so please tell me if i shouldnt do that with this species or if anything else works better
thanks


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1.1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0.0 Yellow Anaconda
0.1.0 Suriname Red Tail Boa
1.0.0 Guyana Red Tail Boa
1.0.0 Cat

If she is constipated you can feel the dried up fecal matter inside, it is usually close to the tail. Just use your thumb and massage it out. Its really hard to describe how to do it. You have to be kind of forceful but not too forceful. Taking it to an experienced reptile vet would probably be a good idea. I had one boa that didn't deficate for a long time so I took her to the vet. He didn't feel anything and told me that some snakes absorb more of their meal and grow faster. This might be what has happened. Good luck and keep us posted. I am not a vet so take my advice for what it is.
Michael Burton

i went ahead and soaked her in warm water right after i posted this message and i went to check on her and that did the trick a huge load was sitting in the corner of the cage i put water in to soak her but thanks for the input if it ever happens again
zack
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1.1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0.0 Yellow Anaconda
0.1.0 Suriname Red Tail Boa
1.0.0 Guyana Red Tail Boa
1.0.0 Cat

Glad to hear that. Ya, warm water is a lot easier than trying to push out yourself.
'Michael Burton

I've had that happen a few times. Usually the soakings help. Recently I had a constipated boa and the soakings didn't help so I took it to the vet. He recommended putting some mineral oil down the throat of a mouse (dead) with a syringe before feeding it to the snake. It worked.

I agree boas that are growing can and do hold out along time between having a bowel movement. If the temps are right and its eating, it is probably alright. I have heard of boas going 6 weeks between bowel movements maybe a little longer. Exercise is always important. Let your boa out of its cage to cruise around. Good luck.
Chuck