-
Responding to email notices you receive.
**************************************************
In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.
-
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed
=====================
Posted 08/15/2025
=====================
Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.
Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."
Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....
=====================
Addendum: 01/10/2026
=====================
Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....
Safe to feed on paper towels?
- Thread starter shep151
- Start date
hhmoore
tired & cranky shadow
THAT could be a problem. I tend to doubt that the paper towel will easily break down and pass through the little guy. I'd make a pre-emptive call to a good reptile vet.
M.Dwight
New member
That's to bad...I hope the little guy is ok.
The rule is don't feed a snake on any substrate that can stick to the food item or can be swallowed.
All my snakes are fed in separate Tupperware with no substrate at all.
The rule is don't feed a snake on any substrate that can stick to the food item or can be swallowed.
All my snakes are fed in separate Tupperware with no substrate at all.
shep151
No point steering now!
Update...
Contacted the vet yesterday, and to my surprise, they said it was "not uncommon". (Funny how I've never seen anyone post about it before, and have always heard how safe it is to feed on paper towels or newspaper.)
The vet said to give 5 or 6 drops of mineral oil daily for 3 days, and it should break down and pass.
What he didn't mention, (and I didn't think to ask) was the possibility of rectal prolapse. I've seen this in several young boas in pet stores. Other than the mineral oil, I guess there's nothing I can do but hope he expels ONLY the stuff that should be expelled.
So, he's had his first dose of mineral oil, (and he enjoyed that about as much as I would have, I think!) so we're back to "sit and wait".
Contacted the vet yesterday, and to my surprise, they said it was "not uncommon". (Funny how I've never seen anyone post about it before, and have always heard how safe it is to feed on paper towels or newspaper.)
The vet said to give 5 or 6 drops of mineral oil daily for 3 days, and it should break down and pass.
What he didn't mention, (and I didn't think to ask) was the possibility of rectal prolapse. I've seen this in several young boas in pet stores. Other than the mineral oil, I guess there's nothing I can do but hope he expels ONLY the stuff that should be expelled.
So, he's had his first dose of mineral oil, (and he enjoyed that about as much as I would have, I think!) so we're back to "sit and wait".
Jim O
Careful with that axe...
I don't know how "not uncommon" it is but once I did remove a paper towel from the throat of a young black-headed python. Evidently he had eaten his rat and decided the paper towel was next. It was in his throat about two to three inches, so I picked him up, held him at the angle of the jaw, disengaged his teeth, and carefully pulled it out. Thankfully it didn't rip and he is fine. Needless to say, I don't use paper towels with him any longer.shep151 said:
hhmoore
tired & cranky shadow
I've seen a few posts regarding similar incidents in the past (and it is very common with the furred type of pets)...with a variety of responses from the vets questioned. If memory serves - the larger the animal, the more common the "wait & see" approach (no big shock there). I do remember hearing about a case or two in which surgical intervention was required (or chosen?... perhaps after they waited and saw??), but I don't recall the results. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a good "outcome"shep151 said:
coyote
New member
Just a cautionary comment. Mineral oil is notorious for getting into places it is not intended to go. Especially when the "recipient" isn't cooperative. Be very careful that none of it gets into the pharynx.
I have not observed this method used in a snake before. I did observe it used in a small dog though. The dog had a severe case of separation anxiety and ingested a fair portion of carpet on one occasion of being alone. Rather than jump to remove it surgically the vet decided to try mineral oil. This dog was dosed five times a day for nearly a week with as much of a 1/4 cup of oil that we could get down it. What a mess! The dog was coated in the stuff, the cage was coated in the stuff, and she began to pass the oil before the solids. She did eventually pass the carpet. But what an ordeal.
I suppose there is a fine line between giving enough to do the job and giving so much that it initiates a prolapse. I pray that everything goes as intended.
I have not observed this method used in a snake before. I did observe it used in a small dog though. The dog had a severe case of separation anxiety and ingested a fair portion of carpet on one occasion of being alone. Rather than jump to remove it surgically the vet decided to try mineral oil. This dog was dosed five times a day for nearly a week with as much of a 1/4 cup of oil that we could get down it. What a mess! The dog was coated in the stuff, the cage was coated in the stuff, and she began to pass the oil before the solids. She did eventually pass the carpet. But what an ordeal.
I suppose there is a fine line between giving enough to do the job and giving so much that it initiates a prolapse. I pray that everything goes as intended.
shep151
No point steering now!
While the vet neglected to mention this, it had occured to me that the last thing my little guy needs is viscous fluid in his airway!coyote said:
Honestly, I'm not sure that it will pass, but I am hoping that maybe when he does decide to "give it back", the small doses of mineral oil may make it a little easier for him.
coyote
New member
Have you consulted with this vet before? Do you have confidence in him/her?
hhmoore
tired & cranky shadow
I was just thinking...maybe it would be easier if it came back the same way it went in (regurg). I'll try to remember to talk to my vet about this one when I see hershep151 said:
shep151
No point steering now!
I have consulted with him before, and have some confidence in him. A good portion of that is due to the fact that he's the only exotics specialist within 100 miles.coyote said:
I've received the same opinion from another exotics vet since the consult, however, but even that individual was at least a little unsure if it would pass.
Bill & Amy
Harley Rider
It will be extremely hard to pass, just of the fact of the absorbency (sp?) of paper towels. It has more than likely soaked up any fluids in the digestive tract. I have heard of boas getting compacted with just a piece of bedding. I hope for the best for the little one!! Please keep us updated!! We are all truly sad for your predicament.
coyote
New member
Just a thought.
But in light of what Bill & Amy mentioned regarding keeping enough moisture in the digestive tract to enable the paper to pass, It might be advisable to institute fluid therapy in this snake. Most of a body's hydration comes from re uptake in the large intestine. If this paper is preventing this, the snake is going to dehydrate. That would not be good.
This situation seems critical. I can only imagine the stress being placed on the body of this snake in dealing with this foreign body. My experience has me leaning very strongly towards providing more supportive care.
Is the snake drinking water? Even so, I am worried that it isn't enough.
My comments are not meant as criticism. It's just that I have been thinking and (duh!)additional concerns have come to mind. I felt that I needed to mention them.
But in light of what Bill & Amy mentioned regarding keeping enough moisture in the digestive tract to enable the paper to pass, It might be advisable to institute fluid therapy in this snake. Most of a body's hydration comes from re uptake in the large intestine. If this paper is preventing this, the snake is going to dehydrate. That would not be good.
This situation seems critical. I can only imagine the stress being placed on the body of this snake in dealing with this foreign body. My experience has me leaning very strongly towards providing more supportive care.
Is the snake drinking water? Even so, I am worried that it isn't enough.
My comments are not meant as criticism. It's just that I have been thinking and (duh!)additional concerns have come to mind. I felt that I needed to mention them.
shep151
No point steering now!
Yes, he's actually been observed to be drinking more frequently than typical, and this is why when this was addressed in another discussion it was advised by the (second) exotics vet to let him hydrate himself rather than add further stress by administering water.coyote said:
None of the comments I've received have been taken as criticism, just help, and I appreciate each nugget of insight and thought put toward my little guy's situation!
It's also crossed my mind that some of my responses may be taken as "retorts", and they are absolutely not intended as such, I'm just responding with what advice has been received or action that has been taken.
Thanks again for everyone's concern and support!
coyote
New member
I added the caveat because I wasn't sure if I was sounding accusatory or critical. I Remain very interested in this case.
hhmoore
tired & cranky shadow
I did speak with my vet today - her feeling was that hydration is going to be the key (she also expressed concern over the viscous mineral oil into the airway; and that, while she understood your vets thought process, she would be more inclined to push fluids). tubing fluids is relatively simple, but if you don't want to further stress your snake (or don't have access to the supplies) - try soaking it daily. I would leave it in for an hour or so...just make sure the water is not too deep.
LakesideBoas
Herpaholic
Aw, Man!...
All I can think of to say is I hope it all works out all right...and that just sounds so wrong!
Be wary of a prolapse if the end result is a large as it looks to be. I am just very glad he's doing well for you and that you are able to post good follow-up about him, he's beautiful!
All I can think of to say is I hope it all works out all right...and that just sounds so wrong!
Be wary of a prolapse if the end result is a large as it looks to be. I am just very glad he's doing well for you and that you are able to post good follow-up about him, he's beautiful!