Ribbon Snake possible spinal damage?

[JakeTheSnake]

My name is Jake, Im from northeastern Oklahoma. I recenty rescued and a baby
Western Orange Striped Ribbon, his name is (LEO). I came to the forumn for advice and to talk to people with simular interests in snakes.

Unfortunately I am having feeding problems with Leo, along with what seems like a small bump maybe even spinal damage no more then an inch from his head. Everything on up seems to work properly, but seems to have issues moving along sometimes, the tail end is responsive to touch and he can move it but it seems the midsection is having issues with movement. he also thrashes his tail around if you put it in water and sometimes just rolls over belly up in water and chills there and goes back into his cave? I can tell there is damage to the area explained I just cant tell the severity of it or if it is something that can heal with time? I know this is posted in the welcoming section so I will also post it in its correct place.

I am going to take some pictures right now that way you guys can better examine Leo and hopefully tell me what im dealing with as far as his overall condition.


Thank You!

[JakeTheSnake]

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[chris-uk]

That is the most severe kink I've seen in a spine. I'd suggest it's a kink because I think a spinal injury that would leave such a large kink would have completely severed the spinal cord. Interesting that the tail moves but the midsection seems paralysed, it could indicate pressure on the spinal cord which is causing partial paralysis.
When he moves, is it evident that he is dragging his body using the muscles in front of the kink?
An x-ray and vet's opinion is the best way to determine the severity of his spine.

Has he eaten anything at all? Or pooed? If he has done neither (and continues to refuse food) then the prognosis is not good. What have you tries feeding and how long have you had him without him eating?

[JakeTheSnake]

Deff evidence of the front muscles working and dragging midsection, yet still able to curl and move tail? I have had him for almost a week n half. maybe ate a piece of worm at the most!

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks for taking the time to care for the little guy. It's either a kink as Chris has suggested or possibly a crushing injury from the sides. Any chance you can get some guppies? Ribbons are much more accustomed to eating aquatic prey. Here's a video on feeding troubled eaters that might work well in this situation.
Please keep us posted on this situation.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O36FMumumg

[chris-uk]

How does the "bump" feel? If you run your finger along his spine can you feel it moving fairly smoothly past the bump? Does the bump feel bony, or is it a soft tissue swelling?
The paralysis of the midsection and not the tail is the odd thing. Does anyone know if there is a reflex action in snakes to thrash their tail when it's touched? Like the knee jerk reflex arc in humans, where the signal doesn't pass to the brain, just to the spine then straight back out to the muscles - which means that for spinal injuries in some parts of the human spine the knee jerk reflex is still observed.
I'm now wondering whether there is complete paralysis and that the tail is just reflex movement.

[Mommy2many]

Thank you for caring for this little guy. Good luck with him and welcome!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

That does look like a pretty severe spinal kink... Just FYI.... don't bother with worms as ribbons usually don't take them. Ribbons are ALL about fish... if he won't go for small guppies... try to get ahold of a tadpole! If you can't get a tadpole small enough... try using a frog to scent a fish!