Reptile & Amphibian Forums

To all pit lovers,
My favorite snake...a five foot ghost bull seems to have chronic problems passing feces...passes more white chalky excrement than any of my other snakes. Just took him to a vet friday who gave him 1. an enema of some sort 2. mineral oil 3. a parasiticide for amoebic parasites? (he had strongilites about 3 years ago and was treated for them) and instruction to return in two weeks if the swelling 4 inches above the vent was not reduced. (he took an x ray and diagnosed it as impacted stools. No real signs of improvement yet...the swelling is hard and the section about 1/4 inch wider than normal, not getting worse though.)
Ghost (his name-I was certain he was a female for 3 years, even had him sexed by a vet when I first acquired him until I caught him doing the wild thing with my 6'3" normal bull this spring...no eggs though) is very healthy looking, has a good appetite though I've been feeding him extra lite since the problem began (pinkies only) gets some exercise (infrequent tho) and has a soaking bath in his cage. Since the problem surfaced about 4 weeks ago I've raised the cage temperature options a bit...it's been a real cool summer here in california.

Questions: Fresh killed food vs. frozen any difference?
Soaking helpful? Baby chicks wetter feces helpful? Any other ideas??? Any advice will be very appreciated.....Douglas Hall

have you tried soaking him in luke warm water. if not try that and leave him in it for an hour or two daily till he poops. it should not be all that long. that always works for my snakes. and it is definatley worth a try as it sound like one hell of a snake. make the water depth about half way up the sides of his body. live or frozen should have no effect because they are the same thing(dead) when they get that far down in the animals digestive track. if you want you can email me at maxpower308@yahoo.com. i'd really like to see if that helps your snake. hope this helps.
later
max draper