Reptile & Amphibian Forums

One of the Easterns that hatched yesterday had a little button of umbilical cord left. I guess it must have snagged on something as when I looked at him today it was 4 times longer and there was greasy junk all over the container. I thought maybe it regurged some egg yolk but I noticed it was coming from this string of something from his belly. It didnt really look like intestine but umbilical cord ??? Anyway I trimmed away the extra junk hanging from his gut but it just pulled out more fatty junk and blood as he crawled around. I had to leave so I pretty much figured I would come home to dead hatchling with guts everywhere but it wasnt the case. It was 3 hours since I saw him last and he had one of those nice huge yolk bellies as well but when I got him he was pretty much thinned out. He scabbed over on his umbilical area and was flicking his tongue and moving about quite normally. I was pretty shocked as he lost alot of blood plus whatever it was leaking out of him. The only thing I can think of is as his umbilical cord pulled out it left a hole in his stomache or intestine and all his egg yolk came squezzing out. His belly was pretty large so the back pressure must made it shoot out pretty quick. Im not sure if he lost any intestine as it was such a mess of blood and yellowish stringy fat etc... everywhere. I cant believe all this stuff came out of him and he is still alive but maybe he wont make morning ??? He looks good now and I soaked him to get some water in him and set him up on dry paper towel to keep that scab from getting infected and or coming off. Anybody ever see this before ?

Keith
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Sounds pretty bad, I hope the little guy makes it but if he's suffering maybe it's best to let him go. =(

>>Sounds pretty bad, I hope the little guy makes it but if he's suffering maybe it's best to let him go. =(

Just so you know, Keith's snakes are second generation captive born animals which shouldn't be release into the wild under any conditions.
And then there is the ethical arguement against releasing an animal that is clearly in need of a more sterile environment and appropriate care.

Just some thoughts about your statement. Sounds like the little guy is going to make it anyway.
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Chris Harrison

Still going strong this morning. I put him in his water dish to drink and he did so. He has good strength and flicks his tongue normally (I always see this as a good sign ?).

Keith
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Glad to here he is hangin in there. I've always had success in keeping open wounds clean by letting the snake soak in diluted hydrogen peroxide solution. I add enough peroxide to the tap water bath to allow the exposed area to bubble a bit. It seems to do a good job at disinfecting without the hyper drying affects and pain of full strength peroxide, or the constant moisure of antiboitic ointments. Good luck with him dude.

Will

at least if it were a mammal it would, and I imagine it could happen in herps. if the thing isn't dead then it's probably a good sign, and if it's crusted over it will probably heal--don't pick at it though. hopefully the stuff you pulled out doesn't turn out to be intestine and when he first tries to eat you discover the problem. If that were the case though I would think he'd already be in trouble. good luck to the little guy.
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Sue Barnett
1.0 Florida King (Vega)
0.1 Western hognose (Sola)
1.0 Crested gecko (Gator)
0.1 Egyptian spiny mouse (Mia)
4.2 mini rex rabbits (Basil, Pippin, Reggie, Hayden, Jackie and Peek-a-boo)
0.1 Plott hound (Molly)
1.0 half Arab (Zarr)
1.0 Betta (Flash)