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Large amount of clear fluid...

RatliffReptiles Dec 16, 2007 09:26 AM

I have a juvenile female ball python in my collection that just seemed to vomit a watery fluid on me. She ate a large meal yesterday evening. I checked on her a few minutes ago and she was in her hide on her hot spot. I picked her up to check her belly for signs of a shed cycle and a small amount of odorless clear watery fluid dribbled from her mouth. The small amount was then followed by a large amount (approx. 10ml) of the same clear fluid. The fluid had the consistency of water and saliva. The fluid was not bubbly and the snake shows no visible signs of a respiratory infection. No wheasing, no protruding neck, no bubbly salvia from the nostrils, and she seemed shocked when it started coming out.

Here is my guess. I believe she had just drunk a large quantity of water and that coupled with the large meal last night left little room in her stomach. When I picked her up she shifted around enough for some of the water to come back up. What do you all think happened to my ball python?
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Brad Ratliff
Ratliff Reptiles
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Replies (2)

winnipeguy Dec 16, 2007 09:41 AM

I have a male that does that if he is handled right after a drink. (obviously I avoid picking him up after a drink!) When I got him, he had an URI that he barely survived. A few years later, and he is healthy and happy, but still shows the after effects. If you listen close, he whistles when he breathes. Always has, which always has me paranoid! lol I always assumed that the whole water thing was a result of that. (still suspect it is...)
I guess what I'm getting at is that I suspect you just picked up your girl and had bad timing, she ended up facing down, and gravity did its thing! I would suggest kepping a close eye on her just in case though. You can never be too careful.
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James.....
"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought the beast back."

j3nnay Dec 16, 2007 10:20 AM

Sounds like you picked her up after a drink to me!

Obviously, keep an eye on her just in case, but it really does sound like it was just water.

~jenny
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"Polysyllabism in no way insures that what you're saying is actually worth being heard." - Blake (an e-friend of mine)

"I have never made but one prayer to god, a very short one: "O lord, make my enemies ridiculous." And he granted it." - Voltaire

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