Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here's some background. My snake is four months old, eats two fuzzies about every six days and lives in a 29 gallon aquarium on newspaper substrate. I have a basking spot at 95 degrees F and ambient temp is 80 degrees F. He's got a hide box, but prefers to go under the newspaper. My problem is that he hasn't successfully gone to the bathroom since late november, and that was when he had a shed. He's had one shed since then and nothing happened. I tried a warm bath several times and the vet had me injecting mineral oil into his food, but all that's happened is one weak little runny stool that wasn't very big. There's a lot more in there that isn't coming out.
Can anyone help me? I really need ideas.
Thanks.

Wow, that's weird. Usually the warm bath works every time for me with my little ones. Could he have a digestive problem or perhaps something wrong with his bowel (or whatever organ it is in snakes)? Can the vet offer any other ideas?

How's the humidity level in the cage? If it's too low it oculd possibly cause constipation. The size of the cage sounds good, but could he not be getting enough excersize? Low humidy and lack of excersize can do it. If the warm water soaks didn't help and the mineral oil didn't do much, I would call the vet again.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Circusfan

>>Here's some background. My snake is four months old, eats two fuzzies about every six days and lives in a 29 gallon aquarium on newspaper substrate. I have a basking spot at 95 degrees F and ambient temp is 80 degrees F. He's got a hide box, but prefers to go under the newspaper. My problem is that he hasn't successfully gone to the bathroom since late november, and that was when he had a shed. He's had one shed since then and nothing happened. I tried a warm bath several times and the vet had me injecting mineral oil into his food, but all that's happened is one weak little runny stool that wasn't very big. There's a lot more in there that isn't coming out.
>>Can anyone help me? I really need ideas.
>>Thanks.

Is he obviously blocked? Meaning, do you feel a hard mass? I am thinking I wouldn't fix it unless it is broken. He could be taking his time but I wouldn't panic with just 'no poop' as the symptom.
That said...what is his humidity and is he dehydrated? Does he have a humid hide? Soak him daily if you are worried. If it were me I would not do as much interference as it may make it worse.
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Sonya

Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
Mrs. Neutron

I wouldn't worry about it. The snake will go when it needs to and not a minute sooner. With that said, since it has been a few months, you might want to palpate the lower third of his body and check for hard lumps near his underbelly. If you feel such a lump and it is rather large, take him to the vet and tell the vet that he is blocked. However, if no lump, relax, sometimes they only go once ever couple of months and when they do, well...there is a lot of it. For example, I have an adult that only goes ever six months or so.
Also, when soaking, sometimes it takes 45 minutes before anything happens...