Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a red blood python that is about a year old that won't defecate. I am a reptile zookeeper and have talked to our staff vet and a few other breeders about this, but they don't have any answers. I have tried increasing the humidity and soaking weekly with no results. The snake eats fine every week and has had a couple of enemas, but still won't poop on it's own. Was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem and if there is any known solution, as this is a female I was going to use for breeding, but I'm concerned there would be problems as a result.
Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Usually soaking in warm water will work. When I have had to use this technique, I have heated the water to around 90 or 95 degrees F. and it worked within 10 minutes or so. I assuming that you are sure that there is no intestinal impaction due to accidentally swallowing substrate material while feeding (aspen chips, bark, etc.)

If the warm water soaks don't work I'd have the vet x-ray the animal and look for abnormalities in the digestive tract. An abdominal exploratory might even be in order.

Is it possible that this girl has an egg impaction causing pressure on the bowel? Just a thought . . .
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