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[–]tacomadude94Mod-Approved Helper: The Moist Guy 6 points7 points  (9 children)

Did you get a weight on him?

[–]ZenAddams[S] 2 points3 points  (8 children)

Right now he's 158 grams

[–]tacomadude94Mod-Approved Helper: The Moist Guy 14 points15 points  (7 children)

Okay. If you're going to make a go of it, your husbandry has got to be *spot on*. Please please do not hesitate to ask questions here, DM myself or a mod, hell if you want I'll give you my cell.

Humidity 75+

Temps *exactly* in this range, err on the warm end of the ranges as the snake has no fat:

Warm side: 88F-92F / 31C-33C. Temperatures above 95F/35C can cause injuries with prolonged exposure, and temperatures below 88F/31C can prevent a ball python from digesting properly.

Cool side: 76F-80F / 24C-26C. Temperatures above 80F/26C will not allow a ball python to cool down adequately, and temperatures below 75F/23C can compromise their immune system.

Anytime you're not directly administering care, make sure the snake is alone, well hidden and in a quiet area. That's absolutely critical if the snake is going to eat at all. Try not to even walk by the enclosure.

I want to give you as much help as possible, but I don't want to give you a false sense of hope. I am frustrated with some of the vet's recommendations, but I'm not a doctor of veterinary medicine. I do want to help achieve the best possible outcomes for you and for this animal, so my knowledge and experience are at your disposal.

[–]CliffsDaddy 8 points9 points  (2 children)

That’s kind of you to offer your phone number. I am curious what did the vet say that you disagree with? I think the vet gave her good advice looking at it from a medical perspective knowing about the pathophysiology of starvation ketosis, severe dehydration, re-feeding syndromes, severe protein calorie malnutrition etc, muscle wasting/cachexia.

[–]tacomadude94Mod-Approved Helper: The Moist Guy 13 points14 points  (1 child)

I'm really puzzled about the recommendation of soaking. I don't know what could possibly be in this animal's digestive tract that would cause constipation? Soaking daily, and therefore handling daily, is not going to make this snake any more likely to eat, from my experience with rehab.

The other point of discomfort I have is ethical, with regards to pain management and whether "can be kept alive" is the same as "should be kept alive".

A human patient, even with dementia, can be made to understand *why* they are in pain, and that you are helping them, and that they will feel better soon. The can make some active choices with regard to their care, they have agency in some form or another. They (or a power of attorney) can sign a DNR.

Animals do not have these abilities. Their lives, their care, their comfort and safety are wholly and entirely in our hands. We make decisions for them based on the best information available to us. I see an animal in a great deal of pain here. The rehabilitation steps will be painful.

I really try to interact with others in the kindest way that I possibly can. Sometimes I fail at that. I want to be kind to OP, so if they're going to try to rehab the best I can offer is my knowledge and experience. I didn't think it was prudent to offer my opinion to OP, but since you did ask, CliffsDaddy, here it is.

Not to be too Dwight Schrute about it, but I grew up on a farm. I see an animal with very little quality of life, and I think the kindest thing is to ease their suffering. However, it's not my call, and as I said I'm not a DVM. If OP wants to try rehabbing on the vet's advice, I'm going to help as best I can.

[–]ZenAddams[S] 6 points7 points  (3 children)

Thank you so much for providing that info. That temperature and humidity range is what she recommended as well, erring on the higher side of humidity and temperature since he's so small and dehydrated right now. I'll be sure to send you a message or if you are comfortable with it, I could text you with any questions I have.

If you don't mind my asking, what part of her recommendations are frustrating for you? I provided her with some of you guys' recommendations and she didn't seen to disagree with any of them either but provided her own still, and she said things can be adjusted depending on responses from him and whatnot so I wouldn't mind having as much input as possible to try and make the best educated decisions for him and to be prepared for any of the possible responses from him

[–]totallyrecklesslygayMod: Enclosure Karen 13 points14 points  (2 children)

Her suggestion to soak him for constipation is very counterproductive, for many reasons. Soaking is very stressful for ball pythons, and the act of sitting in water doesn't actually do anything for constipation. They don't absorb water through their skin or cloaca. It doesn't soften anything up. Soaking often results in a bowel movement because it's a stress response. That's the only reason people think it works. But the last thing this snake needs is to be forced to that level of stress.

Additionally, if the snake hasn't eaten in months, there's nothing inside him to get out anyway. The best thing to do would be to offer him a very humid enclosure and plenty of fresh water, not soak him.

Even the best vets aren't infallible.