Miriam vent-- normal?

[Lori P]

Hi guys-- just snapped this pic of Miriam's vent area-- does this look odd? Might just be me. She goes back to the vet tomorrow for her second Metronidazole treatment, so can have him look at her then. She just looks thick right up to her vent, then goes down so suddenly, and there is "stuff" around her vent.

And Mordecai sticking his nose in where he doesn't belong, lol!

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Miriam_vent_resize.jpg

[Lori P]

Here's a better close up.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Miriam_vent_close_up.jpg

[Stefan-A]

Looks familiar, sort of.

I don't know what it is or what the cause is in your case, but in mine, the stuff around the vent was uric crystals and it was a sign of dehydration. More about that case in the thread "Dingleberry".

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

soak her in a warm water bath or wet bag her overnight i dont wet bag because it scares me

[GarterGuy]

Hmmmm....not sure about that one. Maybe as Stephan was saying, it's just some uric crystals around the vent. It does look like the body is disteneded just before the vent (not sure if it's just the pic or if that's actually how it is). I'd definitely say something to the vet about it.

[adamanteus]

As the others have already said, that looks like uric crystals. It appears to me that the crystals have formed a blockage in the cloaca and other 'debris' is backed up behind it. Definitely let your vet know.

In the meanwhile I would recommend a luke-warm bath and some very gentle massage/manipulation, to try to clear the obstruction. Good luck, Lori.

[Lori P]

Thanks guys-- will soak/bathe her when I get home tonite. Silly snake, always coming up with new ways to test me!!!!

[Lori P]

THANK YOU GUYS--- I got home tonite, let Miriam swim and soak in warm water, and then very gently felt long her vent area... I felt something really hard... so with a warm, damp paper towel I gently massaged and lightly pushed and THIS came out, followed by loads of poops:

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Miriam_stone_002_resize.jpg


http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Miriam_stone_close_up.jpg

The poop that followed was mucous-y and very smelly. Also, she has some tissue protruding from her vent area now, which I assume is from the irritation/swelling?? She seems ok; she went back to her tank and proceeded to check around for a meal! I will bring the stone to the vet tomorrow night, and have him check her over very carefully.

She HAS to feel better with that gone... but I still felt a smaller hardness further up, but did not want to push anymore on her. Geez, she's so tiny, I feel like I could crush her, you know??

Ideas on what this is, and why... think she got dehydrated when she was ill??

[adamanteus]

That's a uric crystal, Lori. What you describe happening is exactly what I hoped for. The second 'hard lump' might need to be teased out in the same way... keep an eye on it as it moves down Miriam's' body, as it nears the vent repeat tonight's exercise. I suspect that the dehydration started before not since the formation of this stone, dehydration can often be a contributory factor in this kind of thing. Good work getting it out. Was the mega poo a surprise? I should have warned you!:D

Of course you should know.... you probably saved her life tonight. Well done you!

[gregmonsta]

lol I think some normal snake poos can be mega enough :) Nice to see another problem solved.

[Lori P]

"Well done", I'm not so sure... seems all of this could have been prevented if I had just had her in for a fecal test months ago when I became concerned that she was so small. Seems all of her problems are because I didn't catch the signs early enough. :(

[adamanteus]

Nonsense. You're doing great.

[Sid]

Don't beat yourself up, Lori. You're providing well for her. Things like this will happen eventually to most of us. Glad all is well.

[Lori P]

Well, I'm learning, at least. It's just a shame it's at Miriam's expense!!!

I'm taking Curious and Reed in tomorrow, too, for fecals and for general check-ups.

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

im glad there being well cared for, :), so how much about do vet costs cost? does it cost more for every animal you bring in?

Well, I'm learning, at least. It's just a shame it's at Miriam's expense!!!

I'm taking Curious and Reed in tomorrow, too, for fecals and for general check-ups.

[Stefan-A]

That's great news, Lori. :) Well done.

[anji1971]

My goodness, that snake is putting you through the wringer!!
Glad this latest problem is getting worked out, hope everything goes well at the vet's. You've really done a good job caring for her, Lori. I hope I can do as well if the need ever arises!:)

[drache]

wow - what a rock
I'm glad you got that out - great job
and you know - the vet may not have caught it in the early stages either

Reed
vet costs can vary widely
I had one vet who would charge $80 per animal, and one who would look at seven for $65 - and the second one was the much better vet

[Lori P]

Reed, I'm very lucky in that my vet gives me great discounts because I'm a rescue. He never charges me office or exam fees. And to tell you the truth, I have no idea how much he's charging for fecals and to treat them... I just pay on the bill monthly, lol, and choose not to look too closely!!

[GarterGuy]

Good to hear that you've got her opened up now. I've honestly never seen anything like that in my snakes before, wonder if maybe it's a side affect of the meds.? I know some can have all kinds of differing affects, maybe it was a cause of the dehydration that could have led to this? Guess there's a lot of unanswered questions here.....be interesting to hear what your vet has to say about it all.

[Lori P]

Well, my vet visit got cut short last night as they had a very bad hit-by-car emergency come in the door. So Reed and Curious did not get seen and we did not get a chacne to do a fecal, so next time. And I did not get to discuss the stone with the vet at all.

However, the COOL news is, Miriam gained ONE WHOLE GRAM in the last two weeks (she now weighs 5)!!!!! And Mordecai gained FIVE GRAMS (up to 25)!! They did get their second treatment and we'll see how Miriam continues on...

[Zephyr]

Ya know, I read this thread yesterday, and today when I was cleaning my garters, I noticed one who's vent was swollen. I immediately tried sounding professional in front of my mother, stating, "There appears to be some minor swelling around the vent."
Moments later, I noticed some contractions and ran to the kitchen sink.
I think you can guess the rest. XD

[Stefan-A]

Yeah, it's best to just avoid handling them when you see a minor swelling near the vent. :D

[Lori P]

LOLOL!!! Very professional, indeed, Kyle. I'm sure mom was deeply impressed... :D

[tikichick]

Wow, nicely done, Lori!