Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is not my snake.

Somebody I know has a problem with their boa and apparently it ate a few days ago and is now lying on it's side with it's mouth open and is not very active. I thought RI, but the owner says there's no mucous and all is dry.

Any ideas on what this can be?

was it fed recently? if so, sometimes a tooth or piece of bone can rupture the stomach lining and cause bloating in the abdominal area. this happened with one of my snakes and there is nothing that can really be done about it without emergency surgery. death is usually the end result. sorry if this is the case.
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1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas (normals)
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons (normals)
1.0 Dumeril's Boa (normal)
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python (normal)
1.1 Surinam Redtail Boa (normal)
0.1 Roommate (sigh...okay, she has a corn snake)

Would there be any visual signs of bloating?

Bloating is swelling, you would see swelling. But just because someone on the internet says that it MIGHT be that, don't rely on that. Get your snake to a vet ASAP.
Good luck,
Caden

I would also find out what he is feeding ( ie live vs frozen/thawed)

If live.. there are problems that can occur with parasites, disease, even a prey item that was still twitching while being swallowed.

if frozen/thawed... find out how he is thawing them...

if the prey item was too hot, or not completely thawed, the food can cause problems with the digestive tract.

but first and foremost... get the animal to a vet immediately.
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