Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got a male about 2 weeks ago. He is a sub-adult from last year. Since I got him, he has either pooped or spat up blood mixed with chunky flesh type pieces of goo. It smells like feces, and it stinks! I brought it back to the guy I traded with and he "checked" for broken vertebrate and a prolapsed rectum which he obviously did NOT have. I checked the spine before I took him home because I am not just some first time impulse buyer, I do have some experience with various lizards and snakes. He then told me that it must have been caused by his last meal. When I got him the guy told me to feed him only rodents, because that is what he eats. When I came back with the bloody stool, he said that he ate quail and that it gave him diarhea because it disagreed with his stomach, "he has the squirts, just like people" is what he said. I was 90% sure he was the one full of bloody stool, but gave him the benefit of the doubt anyway. Last night my girlfriend heard a horrible noise coming from the bedroom. When she checked she saw that it was him making the noise, similar to a dog throwing up. The noise is the reason I started wondering about whether or not he was throwing up, rather than pooping the blood. I know that if somehow, someway this nut actually got a ball python to eat f/t quail that the problem would most likely be a torn stomach lining or something similar, but most of us are lucky to get our snakes to eat live rodents. Any input would be much appreciated and I am already planning on bringing him to the vet so I don't really need that advice ! He is the one with alot of black on the back and he is on the inside. Thanks in advance. -Joe

First off....I would never put it with another of your animals if you're worried about it having something. No telling if it could be contageous. It sounds like it was throwup to me...throwup stinks....really bad. I'm used to some really nasty stuff...but if I have a snake throw up...I'm almost throwing up myself. It could be some kind of respiratory infection if he's got it coming out multiple times....just let the vet check him out and let us know whats up....
-----
Luke Martin
Bronze Serpent Reptiles

I don't keep them together at all. They were just together for the picture and that was before I knew he was sick. I know I should quarentine new animals but I just wanted a comparison shot. I won't do it again though. He is going to the vet thursday at 5pm so wish him luck! -Joe

Well I don't know exactly what the problem is - but yes in the wild balls eat all kinds of rodents and carrion including birds - actually birds are almost like candy to many types of snakes. I also know that birds will make some nasty smelling poop ask anyone that feeds birds to their their tree snakes! I also know many people feed chicks to their snakes, so honestly I don't see how feeding the quail could have caused something so drastic, maybe it just went down wrong. It will be interesting to hear what the vet has to say.
-----
Tosha

"One of these days i am going to wake up..look around...and realize my place looks more like "Ace Venturas"s than my own." Coldthumb

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope John Paul)
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.0 Pool skimmer rescues for this season