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mass on rosy female, slug retention?

johnnyblazekfd Nov 08, 2011 06:25 PM

Attempted to feed my female limburg albino rosy today. She has been getting skinny as of late. She had not eaten the last few times I attempted to feed her but I assumed it was seasonal related. So I figured I'd try again today but with no luck. Now that she is skinnier, I noticed that she has a small mass just above her cloacal region. I ran my fingers over it and it is really hard. It feels like about the size and shape of a single solidified slug. I did a search but was unable to find anything on it. Is there anything I can do? Anybody experience this or know of someone who has and what they did and what the outcome was? or where i might find any info on it? Any info would be appreciated. thanks......Jon
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1.1.1 breeding pair blue tongue skinks w/ juv. offspring
1.0.0 Juv. Albino Bullfrog
0.0.2 Giant Pixie Frog (one juv. and one adult)
1.1.0 Clawed frogs
1.1.0 Albino Clawed frogs
0.0.1 Superlight juv Sulcatta
0.0.2 Fly river turtles
0.0.2 Savannah Monitors (one pastel)
0.2.0 juv pastel Columbian boas
1.1.0 monster pink pastel columbian boas
1.2.0 Hypo Hog boas
1.0.0 Hypo boa
1.1.0 Hypo boa babies, Poss. DH sunglow
0.2.0 Hypo poss. DH sunglow
1.0.0 Coral albino boa (my baby)
and
1.2.0 Pomeranians (the wifes babies)

Replies (3)

RichardFHoyer Nov 08, 2011 11:52 PM

From your discription, I suggest the hard mass might be an impacted scat. Has your boa had access to water as mpacted fecal scats can sometime occur when a snake is dehydrated.

I don't know anything about Rosy Boas but for the Rubber Boa, I would soak the snake in water for about 12 - 15 minutes and hope she takes in water. I might do so for a number of days hoping the impacted scat would soften and be passed.

Hope someone else will chim in with a better idea and solution.

I have encountered Rubber Boas with retained or impacted embryos
or ova but they are never down by the vent but much higher in the body.

Richard F. Hoyer (Corvallis, Oregon)

johnnyblazekfd Nov 09, 2011 01:04 AM

My wording in my description may have been a little off or interpretive. It is in the area of her cloaca but it is about 2-2 1/2" above her cloaca. Would you still think scat or slug at that distance? I was thinking slug becasue it has that long cylindrical look to it. As far as the water, I know many advise not to use a water bowl in order to keep humidity down but I keep one in there probably 2/3 of the time just because I was worried about the possibility of dehydration in my Rosie's. I don't believe she is dehydrated but you never know. I will try and soak her in a warm bath every day for the next week or so and see if that helps. Thanks for your reply..... Anybody else got anything input? Thanks........ Jon
-----
1.1.1 breeding pair blue tongue skinks w/ juv. offspring
1.0.0 Juv. Albino Bullfrog
0.0.2 Giant Pixie Frog (one juv. and one adult)
1.1.0 Clawed frogs
1.1.0 Albino Clawed frogs
0.0.1 Superlight juv Sulcatta
0.0.2 Fly river turtles
0.0.2 Savannah Monitors (one pastel)
0.2.0 juv pastel Columbian boas
1.1.0 monster pink pastel columbian boas
1.2.0 Hypo Hog boas
1.0.0 Hypo boa
1.1.0 Hypo boa babies, Poss. DH sunglow
0.2.0 Hypo poss. DH sunglow
1.0.0 Coral albino boa (my baby)
and
1.2.0 Pomeranians (the wifes babies)

markg Nov 09, 2011 06:28 PM

I agree with Richard on the soaking. Use about 1/2 inch deep 80 deg water or thereabouts.

A friend of mine had a nice adult female with a similar condition. Can't say it was exact of course but in general she had a lump and lost weight rather quickly. The snake died shortly after. As I say, there is no way for me or you to know (at this moment) if your snake has this exact problem, so don't think I am saying your snake will die. I would hydrate as much as possible, provide a nice warm area and see a vet.
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Antaresia maculosa
Antaresia childreni

Mark G

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