Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my burm is just 6months old, and he's feeding great, everything else about him is fine. Only problem is he doesn't relieve himself. I've massage it out of him for the past couple months, the uric acid rocks are massive and blocking the path. whenever he's extremely bloated, i apply a light pressure to his underbelly and he then forces himself through the gap which indirectly forces the rocks out. Humidity is 50-60% at all times, heat from lamps are leaving the ambient temperature at 80f low side and 88f high side, everything is good. has anyone here had a similar issue and found a cure? the next step is to slow the feeding regimen to every 7 days, 1 large rat, he's about 4 foot long. I know it cant be good to force the rocks out of him. any help will be very appreciated. thanks again.

I would think that raising the humidity would help. Perhaps getting the humidity up to about 70% would be beneficial. My 11yo Burm has kidney disease from being chronically dehydrated during most of his life (before I got him). Fortunately I've been able to keep his humidity over 80% (which he requires) plus he has a big water dish that he drinks from daily and soaks himself on rare occasions.

Your snake might find an easier time with the urates if the humidity is higher and the water tub is large enough to soak his whole body.

At 6 months of age, these guys are turning everything they eat into more snake so they really don't deficate very frequently. Sometimes they'll end up looking like little bratwurst and it looks uncomfortable but when it's time...they'll go. They are more elastic than you might think and can pass something very large. I had a 4' burm pass a pair of hemostats one time, but thats another story... If you are super concerned, soak your burm in some warm water - not too warm (what's warm to us is probably hot to them). Usually they'll go ahead and move their bowels during a good soaking. Also, make sure that your burm has a large enough cage to get plently of exercise, the lateral undulation of their movements always gets them going and they will work out the uric acid on their own. Smaller meals, less frequently would probably help too. When I see some of mine that look like little sausages, it's usually in the ones that I have been feeding more frequently. But really, everything is probably fine and I wouldn't sweat it too much if I were you. Good Luck and post some follw ups.

Tom

much obliged!! that's packed with useful information. and I feel much better about it, I'll keep you guys posted on the progress. Cheers