Slow digestion?

[KITKAT]

Kitkat, James,

snip

By the way, that was a great, descriptive picture Kitkat. The second lump was clearly beyond the stomach and just anterior to the cloaca. It definitely showed a blockage. Though not certain, I think sepsis is a very reasonable diagnosis. Can you please remind us how old this snake was and how long it had the lump before dying? The age/timing may help others in the future.

snip

In hindsight, Kitkat, your problem may have been even more difficult. If you were too rough in manipulating the blockage, the bone (undigested foot) may have punctured the digestive tract. Sorry for the rotten outcome, Kitkat.

Rick

I do believe sepsis was the cause of death, due to the horrible odor when I opened the gut. When I increased the temp slightly in response to his problem, I believe this caused increased growth of bacteria and overcame the baby in short time. This little fellow was about eight or nine inches long. I had gotten him as a free (just pay shipping) baby because he would not eat, and Scott was force feeding him to keep him going. Scott was surprised (and so was I) when he started eating after only one forced meal. I think he was about a month old when I got him... and I had him about six or eight weeks.

From feeding of the mouse parts, to death, took about 3 weeks, although the lump was not obvious until the latter part of that time... perhaps ten days before death was the first time it looked suspicious to me.

I believe this baby was too small to safely massage... although I did a very small amount of that on one occasion, about a week before his death.

[Spiritwolf]

Someone should keep a record of all the different problems and experiences, diagnoses, findings, etc, discussed here. Altogether, the information may be very useful in advancing the knowledge of garter snake problems, causes, prognoses, treatments, etc. In many areas there are no vets experienced with snakes or other exotics, and even where there are herp specialists, often breeders see problems that veterinarians don't see, just because breeders usually deal with more animals of a species on a day to day basis.

Just a suggestion, from things I have learned along the way as a lifelong animal lover who is always studying, breeding, showing, etc some kind of creature!

[anji1971]

Hi! I am new here- just registered today. Your post sounds EXACTLY like what my garter was going thru. My kids caught her a couple years ago, and I've been taking care of her since then. The last week she seems sluggish and dull-skinned and there is a lump that looks like a meal, right where your Sparky had it. I've been reading this site all evening and now I am WORRIED, not just because of the lump, but because I just realized I should be doing WAY more with this critter than just feeding her worms every few days! I am such an amateur!!!!
Is there any more you can tell me on how to deal with this- I know your situation turned out very sadly, but I am hoping you or some others might be able to give me a little advice, maybe we can save Dojo???
By the way, all I've ever been able to get her to eat are earthworms; could it be a nutrition issue as well?

[KITKAT]

Hi Anji!

Is the lump refusing to move, or is it progressing downwards?

Is your snake defecating at all?

How many worms do you give in each meal, and how often do you feed?

How warm is your enclosure at the hot end?

How warm is your enclosure at the cool end?

What are you using for bedding?

What decorations are in the enclosure?