Help ! Babies with runny stools

[alsflo]

Hi
I have a question regarding some of my fairly newly aquired babies. I have a couple of them from different breeders but the all seem to have runny stools.
I have been keeping boas for years and know that their temps and other conditions are fine. My other boas ate mice when they were small and these guys are eating rat pinks. What I was wondering was, do babies fed rat pinks usally have loose stools? My snakes seem very healthy otherwise. They eat great and are growing normally. The stools are not any smellier than any other boa poo. Any and all input on this would be greatly appreciated before I go spend a fortune at the vet for nothing. By the way they were all CBB. Thanks in advance for all replys.
KC

[ClayEnglish]

Re:Help ! Babies with runny stools

KC,

Welcome to the forum.

Can you tell us the age of the babies?

If they are newborns, some will have somewhat looser bowels in the first couple of poops, but it should not last long. Also most newborns will defecate and urinate at the same time, and the extra fluids will cause the runny appearance.

Older babies with these problems may be showing signs of parasite overloading. While it is normal for all boas to have parasites as part of thier digestive system, an overload of these parasites can cause runny stools and often smelly stools.

Rats vs. mice. This would not be the reason, unless the provider of the rats themselves are the source of the problem. Many people have found problems with the source of thier rodent supplier. Live rodents carry many parasites with them, and that could be an underlying cause. Simply switching to another supplier can solve the problem. Or better yet, frozen/thawed rats are the best option for preventing the transfer of such parasites.

[alsflo]

Re:Help ! Babies with runny stools

Clay,
Thanks so much for your response. One of the little guys is slightly over a month and the other is at least 3 . I have been feeding frozen thawed from what I believed was a reputable supplier. I won't mention names because I don't want to mislead anybody if that is not the problem. Like I said there is no rank odor their stools.
I do have one that is older and was treated with Flagyl for a regurg problem that is still also runny. Do you think it would hurt to treat the whole gang with Panacur also?
Does either treatment upset the natural guy flora? Thanks soooo much for your input!

KC

[sclark]

Re:Help ! Babies with runny stools

Hi Alsflo,

Welcome to the forums..

I agree 100% with what Clay said.

As for your last question, about treating the whole clan with Pancure. I do not like to treat snakes with any meds unless I am sure what is the problem. Do you have the ability to atleast take some fecal matter to a local vet for a smear? That will detremine if there is any problem. I knopw Metrodozinal (Flagil) will cause running, sometimes clear gelitan like stool. Treating with Pancure will upset less of the Flora in the snakes belly, but to over treat is sometimes worse then none at all. I feel your best bet would be to bring each stool sample to the vet for a smear. I know before I started doing my own smears I had a deal worked out with a vet that would do the smears only without me having to bring in the snake. I think I was paying her like 10 bucks a sample.

Hope that helps.
Steve

[alsflo]

Re:Help ! Babies with runny stools

Steve,
Thanks for the reply. What kind of microscope do you use and if you don't mind me asking was it expensive? My sister was a vet tech for about 17 years and could easily do smears for me if I had a scope. She also still has some vet friends that might just do what your vet did for you, in doing the smears without the 40 +$ office visit.
I agree with not over medicating, which is why I was asking and not just blindly treating with anything and everything. I think I will wait for another poo or two and if they are still loose get some smears done. These guys are still pretty young and were CBB by what I believe to be good breeders. The one that was treated with flagyl hasn't pooed in almost 3 weeks(I just looked at her card) so we will see what that brings and take a smear in if needed. Thanks for your help !!!

KC

[sclark]

Re:Help ! Babies with runny stools

Hey Alsflo,

I picked up one on ebay. It is this exact one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3228278248&category=14023

I paid like 350 for it when i got it last August. Works good for this. I was told by a bio friend that even those 30 dollar microscopes at walmart would work ok for this purpose.

When their stools are loose they tend to go more. I know that when I was treating a baby I had awhile ago with Flagil, it was pooing once a week.. Then after I sold the baby, it is doing normal, every month or so..

Steve

[alsflo]

Re:Help ! Babies with runny stools

Just wanted to let you guys know I got up this morning and found a nice big NORMAL stool in with the girl that was treated with flagyl. Never thought I would be so happy to see a turd. LOL
Now we just play the waiting game with the others. Will keep you posted. Thanks again for your help.

KC

[sclark]

Re:Help ! Babies with runny stools

Very cool. I know its odd to get so happy over a turd..LOL

Hope things clear up soon..

Steve

[XzyluM]

Re:Help ! Babies with runny stools

Yeah, I guess us reptile people have wicked minds huh? ;D