Breeder female ball python eating but not digesting

Pythons Ball Pythons
1

Hey all.

I have a 2nd/3rd-hand female about 5+ years old. I’ve had her 3yrs and got a nice healthy clutch from her last year.

About 4 weeks ago her stool started smelling very putrid, like actual putrid, rotting meat.

Her stools are black tar liquid with fur. It looks like her stomach acids are dissolving the prey animals (live rats and ASFs) but maybe she is not absorbing the nutrients.

She eats agressively, with no issues. She is on a 10-14 day feeding rotation. She has never regurgitated.

I have tried smaller prey, moving her from coco to paper towels, and raising her bin temps from low/mid 80’s to high 80’s.

Nothing seems to be working. Ordered some swab screen kits from RAL for Nido and Crypto, and it is looking like a vet visit is in our near future.

Have any of you experienced these symptoms? I would like to narrow down the arena so I don’t have to pay the vet for every possible test they have.

Thank you in advance.
Perry

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Do you use a probiotic or electrolyte? Could be a gut imbalance that something like NutriBAC or Zoo Med’s electrolyte soak (which contains pre & probiotics) may help if you haven’t tried them.

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@noodlehaus
I am not familiar with these electrolyte products.
Thank you!

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NutriBAC is one that is probiotic and just dusted on the feeder and is easier to use regularly. The Zoo Med will be a powder that you mix in with a gallon of water to create a soak, and also contains electrolytes and vitamins. Both are great to have on hand.

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It could be a bacterial or parasite issue so I would also consider a fecal test and culture. The probiotic recommended by @noodlehaus will definitely help get things back in order after antibiotics if she needs it

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Thank you.

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