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King snake with bulge

Nick_A Dec 20, 2005 04:48 AM

I tried posting this in the health and breeding forum, with no answer yet, so ill try here...

I have a cali king snake that last fed 9 days ago. since then ive tried to feed it twice, both times it regurgitated. Now I noticed a bulge in the snake, not a big one but a bulge none the less and my first thought was Crypto ( I really hope im jumping to conclusions). This bulge is soft almost like it is air inside the snake, I was onder the impression that crypto caused a hard lump. Ive had the snake for over 6 months and the temps are the same as always. Any Ideas?

Thanks
Nick

Replies (3)

willstill Dec 20, 2005 02:53 PM

Hi Nick,

First of all, stop trying to feed the snake temporarily. If it has already puked twice, then its GI system is already pretty screwed up. Regurgitation in snakes is a big deal. After a few times, the upper GI system is usually screwed up beyond repair from stomach acid that is burning the esophagus. I would wait several weeks before attempting to feed the animal again. If you feel that it is too thin to last that long without food, then it probably is not going to make it anyway. In the meantime, take the snake to a good herp vet and see if it has a raging bacterial infection of the GI tract, or if it is the beginning of cryptosporidium. I also have heard of the association of crypto and a hard abdominal lump, not a soft lump, but in reality you won't know until a vet takes a look. If the swelling subsides in a few weeks, offer the snake a very, VERY small meal. If you offer it food to soon, or if you offer food to large, the animal will surely regurg again and will in all likelyhood die.

You said that the temps were the same, what are they? They really shouldn't be the same as summer temps under normal conditions, as the air tends to be cooler and dryer in the winter time. I don't manipulate the heat pads or room temperature in my snake room in the wintertime and all of the areas within the cage are cooler except for the area on top of the Flex-Watt. So check those temps again and let us know. good luck.

Will

Nick_A Dec 21, 2005 12:36 PM

Thans for the advice. The temps are 75-85. I kept it this warm because im growing this one out for breeding. Unfortunately I can not take the snake to the vet, they will not accept reptiles( I live on a small Island, with very, very few keepers period). Any way ill keep an eye on it for the next few weeks.

Thanks Again
Nick

JETZEN Dec 20, 2005 10:44 PM

uncommon and the soft lump could be backed up gas, when was the last time it pooped?

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