Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I can feel a solid roundish mass right before the cloaca of my adult florida king. Her body is extended laterally from the bulge as well, not giant but casually noticeable. I can manipulate the mass an inch or so, but it does seem big and dense enough that I think its hard to say whether she can pass this on her own. I am soaking her for a half hour a night in tepid warm water hoping to stimulte her. I am also letting her out to crawl around outside hoping to stimulate her.

If this does not work, the reptile health book I have says trying to give an enema of DSS solution, and if this fail, to try giving a little milk of magnesia or mineral oil through a gut tube. I understand if these fail she made need surgical removal of this mass.

In trying to prevent the surgery, I am not sure how to go about the mechanical aspects of giving the snake an enema, and as for the laxative, I want to make sure I do not have any backwash that may get in her trachea so I am wondering how far down to safely go to ensure the laxative reaches only her stomach, for example 25% down the length of her body from her head?

Any help would be appreciated.
MAtt

You are on the right track with what you have started so far. You can add the mineral oil to small prey items if he/she is eating.(Inject into prey)

I would not give an enema on your own, nor stomach tube the snake. Both are rather easy procedures but should be taught by a competent herper in person and not online. I'd also skip the DSS and use dilute soapy water instead, unless you have a vet helping you (DSS can cause alot of harm in compromised animals).

Ultimately, if what you are currently doing doesn't see progress in the next day or so I would take it to the vet. He/she can show you the above, but also inform you on the pro's and con's of each, what's best to use, and other considerations (like what if this isn't a fecal mass?)

Ian