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WendyBall
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
24 Posts |
 Posted - 03/05/2011 : 17:36:31
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We have just bought a new baby royal python 'Alice'.
On inspection today I have noticed a hard bump - any thoughts/ideas on what this could be. Many Thanks
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deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2011 : 17:55:26
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Hi, and welcome to the forum.
Alice is lovely, and I hope I'm wrong here, but she may well have what's called a 'kink' in her spine. I only know about this from reading - I'm not that experienced. It need not affect her quality of life at all, if it is a kink, though it's not of course ideal.
If it is a kink, her seller should have told you about it though, but you're probably too attached to her by now to return her - if so, I know how you feel. I bought one of my corns because she'd hatched with only one eye and I was worried that nobody else would take her.
I'm assuming that this is a permanent hard lump and not the sort of unevenness of muscle that snakes sometimes hump themselves up into when climbing round your hands, which is normal?
Hopefully someone more experienced should be along soon - sorry if I overlapped with anyone by the way.
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hodgie
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1197 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2011 : 19:20:12
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| She looks from the picture very small, how old and what wieght is she please? Also did you buy her from a shop or a private sale? |
Royals owned "lots"
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markmifsud
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
534 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2011 : 20:25:58
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| welcome to the forums Wendy |
1.1.0 Pastal Ball
1.0.0 Normal Ball aged 7(ish)
0.1.0 Normal Ball aged 7(ish)
Bromley. SE London |
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WendyBall
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
24 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2011 : 21:32:16
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| Thank you for the welcomes, she is about 1 month old, has had a first shed and weighs 61 grams. |
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WendyBall
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
24 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2011 : 21:33:12
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| I bought her from a Reptile Shop in Crews Hill in Enfield. |
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2011 : 22:16:42
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| Where on the body is the kink, it looks like the neck area on the pic but hard to tell for sure. |
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WendyBall
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
24 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2011 : 22:18:40
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| The kink is at the tail end of the snake. |
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2011 : 22:25:25
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| OK, if its a kink its less likely to cause problems if its down there than up high for feeding etc. Are you able to run your fingers down the snake's back either side of the spine, (hold your pointer and middle fingers together and run them down the centre of the snakes back in the groove between the 2 fingers) to check its just the one kink. also feel the 'lump' section and see if you can feel a twist or sudden change in direction of the spine. Last question is the lump above the snakes vent or below in the tail itself? |
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WendyBall
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
24 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2011 : 22:34:18
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| The lump section twists down and to the side, and to be honest I cannot see the vent, but the lump is about 2 inches from the tip of the tail, snake is roughly 16 inches long. |
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WendyBall
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
24 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2011 : 22:39:48
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2011 : 22:47:49
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| I'd be tempted to get that checked out by a vet, just to be on the safe side. They will want to xray it but it will be worth it to check if its a birth defect or an injury. |
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hodgie
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1197 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2011 : 09:00:48
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I`d take her back to the shop to be honest, even with animals your covered under trading standards.
This could be a kink or it could be undigested egg yolk, tell them your not happy with what you`ve bought, see if they will give you a replacement, or are they willing to have it checked by a vet.
When did you buy her, was it yesterday? Has she been fed by you? if she has only had one shed then i`d say she is far to young to be sold. |
Royals owned "lots"
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WendyBall
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
24 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2011 : 09:20:16
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| we bought her on Monday, the man in the shop said that it had its first shed a week ago, and he showed me how to assist feed it with a pinky, although he said it needed 3, so I will need to feed her more sometime today. I have another reptile shop nearby, so will take it to them to see what they think. Thank you for all your advice. |
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2011 : 10:08:08
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I'm very sorry to say it, but if Alice has to be assist-fed, then she should never have been sold. A young snake should be feeding eagerly by itself, and have had a few good feeds, before it leaves the breeder. I agree with Hodgie; I'm afraid she should go back to the shop. Also three pinkies (by which I gather these were mouse pinks and not rat pinks) isn't a good meal for a hatchling royal.
I can see you might be attached to her by now; perhaps if the shop can get her feeding normally, then you could wait and have her back again.
However, I don't think anyone would criticise you for returning her and looking for a royal that has been better reared and without the kink/lump/possible egg sac defect.
I'm really sorry to hear about all this; both you and Alice have had a raw deal. Keep us posted, and good luck. |
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hodgie
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1197 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2011 : 10:16:04
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quote:
Originally posted by WendyBall
we bought her on Monday, the man in the shop said that it had its first shed a week ago, and he showed me how to assist feed it with a pinky, although he said it needed 3, so I will need to feed her more sometime today. I have another reptile shop nearby, so will take it to them to see what they think. Thank you for all your advice.
Sorry, but i`d take her back straight away,
1st check your rights with trading standards.
If she only shed last week i`d say she isn`t even 2 weeks old.
Any descent rep shop wouldn`t have sold a snake this young with a health issue also let alone one needing assist feeding. |
Royals owned "lots"
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Edited by - hodgie on 04/05/2011 10:17:24 |
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hodgie
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1197 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2011 : 10:35:15
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Just checked one of my books, and a young Royal has its first shed around the 10 day mark. So as before she is probably only 2 weeks old, far two young in my opinion for a new owner.
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Royals owned "lots"
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2011 : 18:16:13
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| I can't believe that shop has sold you an non feeding and kinked VERY young snake. They should NEVER have released it while they are having to assist feed it. I would find this decsion really difficult but it does need specialist care to get it to eat of its own accord and with birth defects it may be far more deformed inside than out and I suppose the decision is take it back to the shop who sold it or keep it and have to take it to a vet to be fully examined to check its not deformed and all the insides are working as they should. |
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hodgie
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1197 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2011 : 18:47:53
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| what i find disturbing is the fact that the shop have already decided that it needs assist feeding. Poor little thing. |
Royals owned "lots"
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2011 : 19:13:08
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quote:
Originally posted by hodgie
what i find disturbing is the fact that the shop have already decided that it needs assist feeding. Poor little thing.
I agree its far too young to make that call and very traumatising for any snake but for such a young one to not even be given a chance. That shop must have no idea what they are doing. |
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2011 : 19:25:12
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I find it shocking, and, worse still, it isn't the first time I've heard this sort of story. Also, the shop seems to have advised Wendy to feed another pinkie two days after the first, which, especially assisted, is going to be doubly stressful, especially when a young snake should be fed at 5 day intervals.
Wendy, if you're about, what's the latest on Alice and the shop situation? We're all really concerned here, and would like to help/support if we can. |
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