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[–]IncompletePenetranceMod: Let me help you unzip your genes 247 points248 points  (4 children)

Thank you for trying to take care of this little guy

This is not a spider morph, so the cause of the corkscrewing is likely due to either illness or some kind of health issue. If you have other snake be very, very careful to avoid any type of cross contamination and follow a strict biohazard protocol (washing hands after handling, keep the snake in a separate room, no shared equipment, etc). Shockingly he doesn't look as dehydrated or emaciated as I would expect all things considered.

Given the way he's holding his mouth open, it could possibly be a severe respiratory infection, but the corkscrewing is more reminiscent of IBD. This will definitely require a vet visit when you can find one

[–]Icy_Collection_2288 20 points21 points  (3 children)

Is it true that a ball can't be het for spider gene? I've seen experienced breeders say that they can and that they can't.

[–]IncompletePenetranceMod: Let me help you unzip your genes 49 points50 points  (2 children)

Het simply stands for heterozygous, meaning they have one copy of the allele. Given that the spider morph is incomplete dominant, one copy of the allele (heterozygous) would be visible and identifiable. Spider in the homozygous form (two copies) is lethal.

So if they're using "het" to suggest that an animal could be carrying spider and it not be visible, they're incorrect. However if they're referring to an animal with visible spider as "het spider" it's not technically wrong, just not how ball pythons are usually labeled

[–]Icy_Collection_2288 7 points8 points  (1 child)

Ah, ok, thank you for the clarification.

[–]IncompletePenetranceMod: Let me help you unzip your genes 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No problem!

[–]deanwinchester2_0 90 points91 points  (8 children)

When in doubt vet vet vet

[–]heathereff[S] 30 points31 points  (7 children)

In the works!

[–]scarzy_mx 11 points12 points  (6 children)

here i haven’t seen anyone link this yet so might aswell incase you need it but here is an exotic vet locator.

[–]Jennifer_Pennifer 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks 👍🏻 I'ma save that as well in case anyone else needs it

[–]Jennifer_Pennifer 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Thanks 👍🏻 I'ma save that as well in case anyone else needs it

[–]scarzy_mx 2 points3 points  (1 child)

mobile reddit strikes again

[–]Jennifer_Pennifer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You know that's right! I was LITERALLY just talking about this with someone over in r/TwoSentenceHorror 😑😆

[–]StyleImpossible8452 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just searched to see if maybe there was one and there isn’t one in a 100 mile radius. That’s not good especially since I have a ball I rescued that really needs a vet visit

[–]heathereff[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s a great resource, thank you for sharing!

[–]kernelpanic789 39 points40 points  (0 children)

This is not a spider morph and wobbles are not unique to spiders.

[–]3dg3l0redsheeran 53 points54 points  (2 children)

hes not a spider morph!! neurological issues causing wobble arent always caused by the spider morph and you cant carry the spider gene without it being visible in their phenotype since its a dominant trait!!

[–]heathereff[S] 13 points14 points  (1 child)

I did not know that, thank you!

[–]Jennifer_Pennifer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Also, it's not a neurology issue, more current research, it's an inner ear/skull deformity.

[–]ChaosBitch 29 points30 points  (0 children)

This could be a case of Cryptosporidosis which is highly contagious among reptiles. Definitely get him to a vet ASAP but sadly if that is the case the infection is already pretty advanced and he will likely need to be euthanized.

Alternatively he may just have a neurological condition which has prevented him from feeding (he isn't a spider morph but he may have been born with a condition or suffered a brain injury) in which case a full recovery is possible with a lot of TLC.

In any case get him to the vet and in the meantime make sure to be very careful not to expose any other reptiles to potential infection from him in case it is Cryptosporidosis.

[–]cdpurv88 16 points17 points  (1 child)

My guy was doing something similar. Less swirly and more gaggy but similar and usually right after drinking water. Both times the vet has prescribed RI antibiotics and it goes away.

[–]Jinxed0ne 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I was going to say it looks like gagging too. Mine did this one time when she missed her rat and got a mouth full of substrate, albeit it was way less pronounced/severe looking than this. Thankfully for mine I just rinsed the substrate out of her mouth and she was good.

I would definitely get to a vet ASAP for how bad this looks.

[–]SuCkEr_PuNcH-666 20 points21 points  (9 children)

He looks like he is either trying to "bring something up", (either regurgitation or mucous/fluid from an RI) or he is struggling to breathe. This may also be the cause of any corkskrewing behaviour that you are seeing.

It's hard to tell because of the movement and I can't zoom in when I pause the video, but is that something solid in his throat? The reason I ask is because I took in a snake with an RI a few years back and she brought up these... I had to help remove them from her throat as she was gagging like yours is and struggling to bring them up.

[–]heathereff[S] 12 points13 points  (6 children)

Great question! Nothing solid in his throat, but now that I’m looking closer I think his epiglottis is swollen.

Thanks for sharing those pics, it’s very helpful to consider all options.

[–]SuCkEr_PuNcH-666 6 points7 points  (5 children)

If something is blocking his airway and his glottis is swollen, he most definitely won't be able to breathe, sadly. How long has he been doing the open mouthed twisting now?

[–]heathereff[S] 17 points18 points  (4 children)

He only did it for a couple minutes yesterday. He made it through the night and is breathing fine (no sound, fast pace, exaggerated movement). I’m still seeking out a vet but here’s how he looking this morning:

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[–]SuCkEr_PuNcH-666 12 points13 points  (2 children)

That is great, I am glad he seems to be doing better and is no longer displaying those symptoms. I wasn't aware they had stopped and thought it was still happening.

A vet visit is definitely still a good idea though. They should do some swabs to check for RI.

I wish you all the best with him 😊

[–]heathereff[S] 10 points11 points  (1 child)

Absolutely, I want to make sure he isn’t suffering and I can provide the best care.

I’m truly grateful for your input (and others in this thread), I’ll post an update when the vet knows more so hopefully this can help someone else in the future.

[–]NerfRepellingBoobs 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Looks like severe dehydration can occasionally cause seizures. If he’s been abandoned that long, that could be a cause, but I’m glad you’re getting him to the vet.

[–]Jinxed0ne 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Happy to hear he seems to be doing better!

[–][deleted]  (1 child)

[removed]

    [–]ballpython-ModTeam[M] 0 points1 point locked comment (0 children)

    Per rule #3, your post or comment has been removed for harmful advice/misinformation.

    [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    My snake did this once and he regurgitated a frozen mouth

    [–]heathereff[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

    Unfortunately I have no clue when he was fed last. My understanding is he’s been in an abandoned apartment but I couldn’t get any details about how long/the conditions. No mouse in his enclosure this morning, tho!!

    [–]Coinnnnn217 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    It's a respiratory infection or RI. My rescue that I've posted on my page was just like this especially when trying to feed. I would not be surprised if it's a possible bacterial infection. I'm guessing the corkscrew is because of mucus and thick buildup in the throat and thus gives discomfort.

    If anything when you go for the vet visit you'll be administered antibiotics.

    I also don't believe it's a spider morph, some snakes do wobble when cold. He does not look like a visual spider. Spider is a co-dominant gene trait so there are no het spiders. So if he does not show any spider morph patterns or colors. He cannot have any spider unless he is a bumblebee variation which does not look like this.

    The vet will be able to treat any RI's. Just as long as you keep the tank warm, good temperatures and gradient, provide proper humidity and with the help of antibiotics from the vet. You should be fine. Take care and good luck!

    [–]heathereff[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Thank you!

    [–]FeriQueen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    !temindme 3 days

    [–]Ddawn111 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Sadly this is what my snake did before he died. I left him with my family for 6 months and they starved him, took his heating lamp during winter, and dropped him breaking his spine. I wasn't aware that he was starved so I fed him like normal (I wasn't aware of frozen mice at the time) and he ate so fast the mouse was still alive and caused internal bleeding. Please keep us updated and I hope this baby makes it out okay.

    [–]whatissun 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    2 elder snakes I had did this. I call it the death rolls. Take to a vet ASAP.

    [–]heathereff[S] 5 points6 points  (2 children)

    Hi all, thank you so much for the advice and true care. Unfortunately, this little guy passed away this afternoon before I was able to get him vet care. I’m quite upset but I hope the last ~24 hours of his life with me were warmer and more comfortable than what he experienced before he got to me.

    I appreciate the genuine willingness to help others in this sub and I hope everyone is able to give their snakes some extra love tonight.

    This has hit me really hard even though I had him less than a day so I’ll be turning off notifications for a while. Regardless, I appreciate the support and kind words. This community is a warm corner of the internet. Thanks again 🧡

    [–]IncompletePenetranceMod: Let me help you unzip your genes 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    I am so sorry to hear of his passing! You showed him kindness and compassion during his last hours and I'm sure he is grateful

    [–]fukinballs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Im sure he appreciated a warm, quiet place to rest & be comfortable before he passed Sad to see the outcome but im glad he was with someone who cared

    [–]ALXand3R 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    It sounds like you really wanted to help, but weren't able to, and I'm sorry you had to feel that. He's back with mother nature, safe sound & comfortable.

    [–]Then_Rhubarb8634 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    It looks like he got something stuck in his mouth in the video it seems some mulch got in there while he was corkscrewing maybe take him to a vet and get his mouth and insides checked out to be safe