Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Recently, we have been caring for someone elses baby ball. This little ball has never taken a meal on its own, and has been force fed several times. It just shed and defecated. The problem that we are noticing now, is that it seems to be retaining fluid. It seems kind of "soft and puffy", with little muscle tone. Unfortunately, I suspect the fluid retention is the kidneys shutting down. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Or have any suggestions? I do have an appointment, so please no replies urging me to take it to a vet. Thanks in advance for your responses.
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www.tristatepythons.biz

Only sure way to check kidneys is to run tests. Dehydration will prevent a snake from not having much liquid with bowel movements. However reptiles do not expel urine like we do (and other mammals), they expel urates, which look basically like a hunk of chalk (though it may be discolored by fecal matter).

As this ball isn't eating much on its own, its not surprising its not passing much out the other end either. I would double check its husbandry, make sure the temps are right, humidity is good, appropriate hides etc. Number one reasons balls don't eat on their own is they are stressed. Force feeding (forcing food down the snake's throat) is highly stressful. Assist feeding (basically putting the head of a rodent into the snake's mouth, then leaving it swallow it on its own) is a little less stressful.

Offering live rat pups (or smaller, depending on the snake's size) can also entice it to eat on its own. Do not leave the rat pup (basically a weaned rat) alone with the ball python for more than an hour. Or try an African Soft Furred rat or gerbil (though pre killed be best, gerbils seem more inclined to attack than rats).

If none of the above solves the problem, tell your friend to take their snake to the vet.
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PHLdyPayne

Thank you for the reply LdyPayne. I've been keeping balls for a little while and I've done all of my homework (however, I am not claiming to be an expert), but I have already made sure there were no husbandry issues. We tried assist feeding and a variety of prey items without success, force feeding was the last option. As I mentioned before, I have a vet appointment for the snake. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with a snake that appeared to be retaining fluid. It may not be, but it seems soft and puffy, similar to an Iguana that we are caring for that has MBD. I will post after going to the vet, and have a diagnosis. Thanks again.
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Tri State Pythons

Just got back from the vet. He agreed that the snake is edematic (retaining fluid), however, he isn't quite sure what is causing it. He narrowed it down to two possibilies. The first, he said could be because the snake isn't eating on its own, the lack of protein is causing it, and should be resolved through proper feeding. The second, he said it could be due to a congenital heart defect, which may or may not correct itself. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
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Tri State Pythons