signs of impaction

[SnM_Man]

i have a BP and was wondering what are the symptoms of impaction?.. recently ive noticed urate but no fecal mater... any help would be great

[Eve]

SnM_Man, I think the lack of appetite together with lack of bowel movement are the symptoms of impaction. This is not after only a few days though - or.... so I have heard.

[reptileguy3]

As Eve said, those are the basic signs of impaction, but it's hard to detech early and it can take a couple months before you even have an idea that anything is wrong. What I say to that is, buy bedding that can't impact your snake. That's what I do for all of mine.

[SnM_Man]

then on that note... i had my bp on coconut fiber for the first three months i had her ... and i noticed that she had some in her mouth one day thats wat got me worried... but i got her on paper towel now... Also it was my understanding that BP's pass the urates and the fecal matter at the same time, and latly mine has only been passing urates ... is that normal ??

[reptileguy3]

well the urates can come from the water that your snake has been drinking so unless it's been going on for a long time, then I think your snake is just fine.

[zaroba]

loss of appetite and thus lack of pooping (wont poop if you don't eat) can also be a sign of of brumation. ball pythons will sometimes go a few months without eating anything, but they will still drink and pass urates.

[reptileguy3]

Zaroba, the last I checked, ball pythons don't burmate. After all, they are from western and central africa, a place that doesn't really have much climate change between seasons.

[GreenOasis08]

Balls don't *typically* brumate, no, but they can if their temp gets too cold...and many breeders *do* brumate them, at least a little, to improve fertility.
Not saying that that's what it is, tho. Balls are notorious for going "off feed" at times...no one can really say why for sure, but if it gets to the point that you're getting concerned, you could always try tempting their tummy with an African Soft-Furred rat! :P
Also, I've noticed that my male ball will pass urates separately (usually before) the actual "Big Poop." Just a thought.
(And yes, I realize this thread is a little old.)

[Karl]

Not too old to add your two cents, Green. I think my next snake will be a ball so I'm intrested in any info I can get.

[dee]

Karl makes a good point.. Anytime someone can come on and add more info than is given can be a good thing for those that search these threads in their research stages.
That was good info.. Thanks