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Emergency! Please help!

kaveman Aug 31, 2005 11:43 PM

My little cousins friend owned a Red Tail Boa but he did not want to take care of it anymore and I guess neglected it. He asked me today if I wanted it and I accepted because I did not want this animal to suffer any longer. I've never owned a snake before, although I own and breed many other reptiles.

Well today I took the snake home and set up its enclosure. I was looking over the snake and it seems to be in bad shape. It looks like something is wrong with the skin because it did not shed properly and there is a lot left. Also I am VERY worried about something else...I looked at the vent and it looks like there is a bit of dried poo sticking out. The vent has a point and I'm guessing it was not able to defecate properly and thats why there is a bit sticking out.

Well the reason I took the snake was to get it a nice home and get it fixed up. My question is what should I do? What do I do about the skin and the problem in the vent?? Please help me, I'm very desperate. Thank you

Replies (4)

LauraV Aug 31, 2005 11:52 PM

Of course you will need to take it to the vet for proper diagnosis, but with that being said...first thing to do is soak it in warm water to help loosen the shed & hydrate it (will help it poo if it is constipated).
Once the skin soaks for a few minutes, gently rub it towards the tail(don't force it), it should start to peel off. Make sure to rub the vent area too, as stuck shed can accumlate there as well. Once the poo and dried skin is washed from the vent area, take another look at it. After you do this, tell me how the boa is looking.
If he is weak, you may have to hold his head up while he soaks. If he is large use the tub, if he is small the sink or a rubbermaid will do. Make sure the water doesn't get too cold.
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Delusions of Grandeur feed the EGO...

kaveman Sep 01, 2005 12:02 AM

Thank you very much for your help. The snake is only 2 feet right now and despite the shed and vent problem, it doesn;t seem weak at all.

LauraV Sep 01, 2005 01:31 AM

Let me know how the boa looks after the soak and shed removal.
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Delusions of Grandeur feed the EGO...

joeysgreen Sep 01, 2005 03:40 AM

It is quite likely that this isn't fecal material and it is a dried up prolapse. If it is not obviously dried stool that comes off during your soak, see a vet asap.

Ian

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