Crystals in Uric Acid

[aussie.snakes]

While cleaning cages this morning I noticed that both of my womas had crystals in their uric acid. I have never seen this before in any of my other snakes. Is this normal for this species or is it something to worry about.

Either way I would like to know if anyone else has ever had such a problem so I know what I am dealing with before I head to a vet.

 

[JKretzs613]

Hello

Hello,

Are the urates more grainy than normal then? It could indicate a little kidney trouble. Perhaps you should consider getting a bloodtest if you have access to a herp vet that actually knows how to do a blood draw on a snake without hurting him. Or, an easier test would just to get a fecal done & perhaps they could analyze the urates for you.
What type of substrate are you using for him?
Do you have any water in his tank for him to help with hydration?
Urates of snakes can be fairly grainy & a different consistency than lizards. Is he exhibiting any signs or symptoms of illness? Does he eat normally? What does he eat?

Tracie

 

[Fireflyshuffle]

ive also been wondering of this, my 5 foot bredli gets it sometimes with hes uric acid, and my stimson usually does it all the time with her uric acid, although not usually as much as aussie.snakes has shown. i did ask my vet and she said its quite normal

 

[JKretzs613]

Hello

Hello,

It can vary from species to species as to what is normal. Some may have more grainy urates than others.

Tracie

 

[mysnakesau]

Could it depend of type of food also? I have never seen this in any of my snakes but if yours are eating other meats other than rats or mice, perhaps it could be from that.

 

[pythons73]

My snakes eat rats and mice,some eat chicken drumsticks and necks.Ive never seen this in any of mine,has the snake eaten anything out off the ordinary.What species of snake are we talking about.

 

[caustichumor]

I have had that in Water, Darwin and spotted pythons, My pythons only eat fresh rodents (which are fed a varied diet) and always have water available, it is obviously a mineral excretion as they are crystaline in appearance. I would recommend trying to ensure that your animals get as much water as possible, even if you give them a short soak in a tub once a week and feed them wet prey items. (and this is only to ensure they are capable of metabolising and excreting excess minerals from the kidney's ) If you do see a vet, take a sample of the urates, It should be a fairly simple procedure to determine it's makeup.... I would not worry too much,

 

[Snake_Whisperer]

How interesting, my BHP did the exact same thing last night. His discharge was identical to your woma's aussie.pythons. I am giving him another week to see if it persists then off to the vet if necessary. Keep us posted on what you find out.

 

[aussie.snakes]

Hello,

Are the urates more grainy than normal then? It could indicate a little kidney trouble. Perhaps you should consider getting a bloodtest if you have access to a herp vet that actually knows how to do a blood draw on a snake without hurting him. Or, an easier test would just to get a fecal done & perhaps they could analyze the urates for you.
What type of substrate are you using for him?
Do you have any water in his tank for him to help with hydration?
Urates of snakes can be fairly grainy & a different consistency than lizards. Is he exhibiting any signs or symptoms of illness? Does he eat normally? What does he eat?

Tracie

Substrate is paper towels.

Has access to water 24 hours a day and water is changed about 3 times a week (or more with the hot weather we are having)

Neither of them are exhibiting any signs of illness. They spend most the day curled up in their hides and then come out and are pretty active at night. They have fed four times since I have got them and have accepted every feed enthusiastically. Has been feeding on small fuzzy rats.