GTP not deficating.....

[predator666]

8 month old GTP has not deficated for nearly 4 weeks... should i be worried???? no signs of prolapse and has been viewed with tail hanging from perch as if she is trying.... any ideas or information would be very appreciated... thanks

 

[Waterrat]

What's your feeding regime, type and size of food, previous defecation history, temps, etc., it's hard to assess without knowing these things.

 

[solar 17]

lts a difficult question to answer at eight months she is probably around 80 grams so a reasonable sized bowel movement so if you looked at the previous droppings and noticed a large proportion of urates (the white chaulky substance in the poo) a prolapse "maybe" just around the corner and "if" this is the case your food items "maybe" too big. but my immediate suggestion is to keep her moist "just in case" she does prolapse you do not wont the bowel drying out at any cost, l will post a link of mine from about two months ago which "may" help you "if" she does prolapse
YouTube - ‪reversing prolapse‬‏
best of luck...solar 17 (Baden)

 

[GreatSnakes]

How many mice has it eaten since it last defecated? Very good chance that it is coming up to a shed and it will defecate then. Keep it humid and spray the snake to ecourage drinking. If it has recently shed, get it out and let it crawl around which normally always works.

 

[Erebos]

Thanks for that Baden that is really useful info it has never happened to me and hopefully never will but all in all a good video for any Gtp owner.

 

[Chris]

Would someone please explain 'prolapse' for me please?

 

[Erebos]

Would someone please explain 'prolapse' for me please?

It's when the bows come out the vent look at badens movie.

 

[Chris]

It's when the bows come out the vent

& this happens because it has eaten too large a meal?

 

[Erebos]

Overfeeding, obesity, and dehydration are some contributions it can happen to anyone even experienced keepers

 

[predator666]

What's your feeding regime, type and size of food, previous defecation history, temps, etc., it's hard to assess without knowing these things.

feeding on hoppers every 5-7 days. at first defecating between feeds. lately every 3 feeds. has currently had 4 feeds since last defecation. temps are always at 30-31c. my other gtp which is same age different clutch is on the same regime but is regular.

never had noticable urates in droppings since i've had her... and food items are definately not to big... sprayed daily and slightly increased amount since i started to worry..

 

[Jay84]

One of my GTP's has been doing something similar, however i have not left it this long.

My male GTP will eat, then not poo when the others do (i have 3 of the same age and same feed schedule). I have noticed that his urates are really really hard lumps and crystaly , i have had to massage these out of him. He will hang his tail off the perch but not release his bowels.

I have been massaging it out of him each time. I have been advised to inject some water into the prey item. This will hopefully hydrate him enough so the urates don't crystalise and pass easier.

 

[longqi]

While I totally agree that young GTPs should not be played with in this case a warm bath and gentle massage may help
Even just taking it outside and letting it crawl around may help
If it only has one perch drop another in
This will encourage it to move around at night
Active snakes seldom prolapse

 

[predator666]

came home to some very dry deficate.... going to try the massaging and warm water idea and will get back to you all a little later... thanks heaps for the advice....

 

[jinjajoe]

Awesome response & if everyone stops & thinks for a second & empathises with a prolapsed GTP...... wouldn't your prolapsed anus pop back in if you were tipped upside down & water poured on it ???????? seems more logical than the sugared water approach in my opinion..........

lts a difficult question to answer at eight months she is probably around 80 grams so a reasonable sized bowel movement so if you looked at the previous droppings and noticed a large proportion of urates (the white chaulky substance in the poo) a prolapse "maybe" just around the corner and "if" this is the case your food items "maybe" too big. but my immediate suggestion is to keep her moist "just in case" she does prolapse you do not wont the bowel drying out at any cost, l will post a link of mine from about two months ago which "may" help you "if" she does prolapse
YouTube - ‪reversing prolapse‬‏
best of luck...solar 17 (Baden)