Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have spent a fortune so far with different vets over the past week to have them tell me they cannot help without now having ultrasounds done. The X rays could not help them determine what was going on.
I think it is a solidified yolk but cannot be certain.
How can I treat the snake? Any ideas?
How can I get her back to health?
After what has been spent on exams, X rays, liquid supplements, enemas, etc at the vets, I don't have the $500 for the ultrasound and am afraid that even if I were to find the money, the vet STILL won't know what to do.
After getting nowhere (except poorer) talking to different vets, I am turning to the experts here for help.
Any ideas on what this may be or how to treat it to save the snake would be GREAT.
Thanks.

I know some people on here have ultrasounds, but I would think you would need to know what youre looking for. People use them for checking follicles not an impaction or whatever is wrong with odd-ball.

My direct opinion is:

A) If you cant find a vet you are totally sure will do the ultra sound AND know what they are looking at, whats the point?

B) Something like that seems like it might need surgery, and if you dont have the money for the ulra sound AND the surgery, whats the point of doing the ulra sound?

I havent had this problem thank God, and I can only tell you what I guess...not know, for what thats worth? (not much)

I would be willing to chip in a couple bucks ( I dont have too much but some) to help Odd Ball out if you need it to get the ultra sound or whatever done? Message me if I can help.

Alan

Very nice!

-----
Kyle
www.royalvariations.com

"be safe, be happy and dont let anyone make you afraid" David Coverdale

but I am going to have to decline.
My main worry about spending the money on the ultrasound is that the vet will not know what she is looking at or how to treat it.
I have been to 2 different vets and have had exams, fecals, enemas, and x-rays and all the vets were able to tell me is that there is a blockage. Gee, I knew that. Kinda the REASON I brought the snake in.
I don't mind spending the money as long as the vet can do something.
I am trying the 3rd one and hopefully get some insight into what it is and can be done.

It could be an infection, an impaction or just about anything else. When you touch it, is the bloated area soft to the touch or hard? If soft then it is likely fluid and may be infected or a sist. If it is hard it is likely urate or fecal impaction or may be a calcified egg. I have had similar things happen with different causes over the years.

It's hard to the touch. It also moves slightly.
I have had X-rays, and an enema done on the snake to relieve the gas buildup behind the blockage. Urates and feces came out.

I really think it is a hardened yolk but after 2 vets have told me it isn't, I'm confused. Of course the vets don't know what it is, they say it's some kind of blockage, just not a hardened yolk.

Neither vet has been any help and I have already spent over $300 and am looking at another $500 for the 3rd vet for the ultrasound.
If I have the ultrasound done, I want the vet to know what she is looking at and not tell me "it's a blockage" and she doesn't know what to do like the other 2 have.

Look into any veterinary schools in your area.. They can often try new techniques that may not be available to local vets yet. I work in a dog kennel, (although it isnt the same as a snake)they have often helped clients that would have spent 2 times more at a local vet for 1/2 the cost. It allows new vets to get training (under a licensed vet of course)and because they are not "fully" trained the procedures are not always as expensive. New vets have to learn somewhere.. since your not getting anywhere with your current vets.. its worth a try. Just a suggestion. Good luck..

Have you tried massaging it down towards the snakes vent? If you can move it around inside then it probably is a hardened yolk. Warning: you could kill the snake by forcing it to pass the yolk. The snake will also likly die from a hardened yolk that big. If I were in your shoes I would probably make a very gentle gradual attempt to massage the yolk down toward the vent and try to get the snake to pass the mass. If you take my advice...Good Luck. I have never been in your position. I think I cannot stress gentle enough. Maybe over the course of several hours so you do not damage the intestinal walls. I did a google search on "snake hatchling hardened yolk". Perhaps you should as well before you attempt anything.

Brad Ratliff

Look at this thread man

forums.kingsnake.com/viewarch.php?id=1299229,1299229&key=2007

Doh, looks like you might have seen it already.

SP, I would try this if I were you...

I would email the guy in the origianl post and ask for specific instructions...medicines used, techniques...

Email back if you are unable to locate any of the meds ( I can help), or if you are unsure how to tube them (I can help) or about the injections ( I have no idea).

Let us know ASAP.

Davey Fig. He laid out what he did with his boas.

Hey man I found another thread,

forums.kingsnake.com/viewarch.php?id=774885,774885&key=2005

np