constipation/soaking

Question
I have a five year old dummeril's boa who hasn't pooped in at least six weeks. I've found some urates in his cage but no fecal matter and his stomach is starting to look a little swollen and has a sort of squishy balloon texture to it. I've read in a number of places that increasing the cage humidity (I switched his substrate from aspen shavings to moist coconut fiber) and soaking him in warm water should help, but he seems to totally hate the water! I've tried putting him in the bathtub with just enough warm water to cover his body, but he freaks out and zips around in the water for a sec before he lunges at the edge and pulls himself out. I've been catching him and setting him back in the water, but it really annoys him and he climbs right back out. He's a pretty big boy and I'd rather not get bitten by him, so I usually end up giving up after 5-10 minutes. Do you have any suggestions as to how I could treat this problem or convince him to stay in the water? I'm really trying to avoid a costly vet visit! Thanks for your time.

Answer
hi Anna,

im in the same boat as you when it comes to my snakes and water, they hate it. the only way around it ive found is to buy a container with a lid that locks on, big enough for the snake to sit in drill some air holes in it and use that. then they cant escape and usually give up and accept the fact that theyre having a bath like badly behaved children =)

the other thing you can do is try and feel for the excrement inside of him. if you can feel a solid lump near to the cloaca it is possible to encourage it out. you will need a good grip of your snake and its best to do it in water but it isnt a necessity. you basically place your thumb just behind the lump and gently try and force it out by rubbing your thumb along your snake's body towards the cloaca. if this fails or there is no solid lump there may be a different problem here, in which case you may be forced to take him to the vet - sorry.


i hope this helps,

Andy