Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My three dums are making me feel a bit stressed! My two females have eaten 2-3 medium rats in the last 2 months(when we got them), but neither has had a full bowel movement. I realize they have slower metabolisms, but REALLY! Both females are over 5 feet and between 8-10 lbs. They have both had two bowel movements with urates and fluid but no solid waste...any ideas?

My male is about 5 feet long, and we have had him for about 2 months and he will not eat a thing. He is in a four foot by two foot by 18 inch enclosure with a hot spot of 87-90 and a cool spot of 78-80. He looks good, but he won't touch f/t rats of any size, live rats of any size, and mice. Should I wait it out, or try chicks?

I have a lot of experience with ball pythons, so I feel like a bit of a novice again with my new gang!

Thanks in advance!
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3.12 Normal ball pythons
1.0 Pastel ball python
1.0 Plains Garter
0.1 Rosy boa
0.1 Normal Kenyan Sand Boa
1.1 Anery Kenyan Sand Boa
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat
1.2 Dumeril's Boa
-----My list is too long, so I'll stop here!
*Amy*

well ive heard of carpets getting constipated and bloods taking FOREVER to have a bowel movement but not dums. not saying anything is wrong though. maybe yours just have slower metabolisms. but dont worry, constipation/movement refusal isnt the end of the world.

1. get them out for some exercise. sometimes a little movement is all they need to have ...well, a movement.

2. a bath. put them in a lukewarm bath and let them swim around in in for a good 20-30 minutes. water should be mid 80's (84-86F). if you can feel the solidmass at their tail, then after a fewminutes of soaking you can try gently coaxing the matter towards their opening. however, usually after a few minutes in the water their bodies will relax and they will let it all out. cleaning out your tub is a pain but hey at least your snake is good to go now.

3. nutribac is a powder which can be ordered online to help with this situation. i havent really read too much about it but all the people i know swear they havent had any problems like what you describe since they started using it. its a powder of some sort that you sprinkle on the prey. i believe it is all natural so i wouldnt worry about any bad juju. anyway, here is a link. http://reptileuv.tripod.com/probiotics.htm ,www.nutribac.com,
and http://www.reptilesource.com/?item|NUBAC001
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1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas (normals)
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons (normals)
1.0 Black Blood Python (normal)
1.0 Dumeril's Boa (normal)
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Surinam Redtail Boa (normal)

Thanks for the suggestions. I have tried all of them already except for the last one. Since they are not bloated I will just wait it out.

Thanks!
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3.12 Normal ball pythons
1.0 Pastel ball python
1.0 Plains Garter
0.1 Rosy boa
0.1 Normal Kenyan Sand Boa
1.1 Anery Kenyan Sand Boa
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat
1.2 Dumeril's Boa
-----My list is too long, so I'll stop here!
*Amy*

well i broke down and got some of that nutribac stuff. i will let you know if it works.
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1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas (normals)
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons (normals)
1.0 Black Blood Python (normal)
1.0 Dumeril's Boa (normal)
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Surinam Redtail Boa (normal)