Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm growing concerned about my new acquisition...a female Harlequin BCI, named Elvira. I received her on 8 Nov via Delta-Dash.

She ate 2 small fuzzy mice the evening of Nov 8th. On 15 Nov she soaked in a tepid bath and promptly shed immediately after. Elvira then had her first FT fuzzy rat since being in my care on 19 Nov (of which she ate readily). She ate another FT fuzzy rat on 26 Nov, eagerly as well. She ate another fuzzy rat on 4 Dec, once again no problems.

During all this I have not once witnessed her have any bowel movements and this concerns me. She did urinate on me once during a field trip to the back yard but that was back approximately during the week of Nov 15th or so. Maybe she had a BM then. I dont know.

Once again I'm concerned that there might be a gastro-intestinal problem because I havent witnessed any BM's. Does anyone have any suggestions (other than soaking her in tepid baths) OR should I just take her to a vet asap?

Please respond asap as I'm more than a little concerned.

JB

ps Elvira, when out of her cage, behaves like a normal 6 month juvenile BCI (ie lots of tongue flicker, movement, curling around my hand).

Does she seem "full" in her back half? If she doesn't have a plump look in the back I wouldn't worry too much, it could be the feeders are small enough that she hasn't had to go yet..

Later
-----
Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com

Oh yeah, also, a month isn't very long to go between bowel movements..
-----
Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com

There can be quite some time between movements with boas. But don't worry, when they go, it is big.
-----
Mark G
Collection:
CA coastal rosies ("the uglier the better"
Sinaloan milksnakes
Hog Island boas

Hey JB, check just anterior to the cloaca and see if you can feel any unusually large or hard objects. Sometimes they can get dehydrated which leads to extra large and solid urates. Have you seen any solid uric acid chunks or just liquid urine? If just liquid urine, then she may very well be dehydrated and blocked. Has she been urinating at all other than the one "field trip"? Even if she is not defecating, she SHOULD be urinating around every 7-10 days. I know some have said that a month isn't too long, but in my experience, that is kind of long for a 6 month old juvie with 4 good meals in her. Let us know any more information you might have. Billy

>>I'm growing concerned about my new acquisition...a female Harlequin BCI, named Elvira. I received her on 8 Nov via Delta-Dash.
>>
>>She ate 2 small fuzzy mice the evening of Nov 8th. On 15 Nov she soaked in a tepid bath and promptly shed immediately after. Elvira then had her first FT fuzzy rat since being in my care on 19 Nov (of which she ate readily). She ate another FT fuzzy rat on 26 Nov, eagerly as well. She ate another fuzzy rat on 4 Dec, once again no problems.
>>
>>During all this I have not once witnessed her have any bowel movements and this concerns me. She did urinate on me once during a field trip to the back yard but that was back approximately during the week of Nov 15th or so. Maybe she had a BM then. I dont know.
>>
>>Once again I'm concerned that there might be a gastro-intestinal problem because I havent witnessed any BM's. Does anyone have any suggestions (other than soaking her in tepid baths) OR should I just take her to a vet asap?
>>
>>Please respond asap as I'm more than a little concerned.
>>
>>JB
>>
>>ps Elvira, when out of her cage, behaves like a normal 6 month juvenile BCI (ie lots of tongue flicker, movement, curling around my hand).