Hello hello 
it’s been a while since I’ve been on, I hope everyone has been doing well and having a great summer? I’m having a bit of a problem with my wife’s Sumatran. It seems like he might be a little backed up? Or have a stuck Urate? From everything I’ve been reading. Warm soaks and possibly injecting mineral oil in to his food could help, but I figured I would come in and ask the council what they think. Like always I appreciate all the help everyone on here gives me. Thank you so much in advance. Hope the reptile family is doing well!!
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How long has that lump been there? And when was the last time the snake had a BM? Were there any urates in the BM?
There is a possibility that this is some kind of impaction, however I highly advise you to get the Sumatran to a vet just to get a 100% clear answer. Just stick with the warm soaks for now, I don’t reccomend injecting their food with oil.
Usually whenever I see impaction cases in snakes it doesn’t turn up as a massive singular lump like that so I’m concerned that might be something else, again thats why I say go to the vet. And if it is just an impaction they can also help safely pass it too.
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Is this guy still eating and acting normally?
You can try a bit of a massage and letting the snake swim. Just don’t be too forceful on the massage and do not leave the snake alone while swimming.
If that doesn’t help I would definitely have this snake looked at by a vet. If this has already been going on for a while and the snake is more lethargic or further backed up you definitely want to go sooner than later.
Hopefully the little bit of pressure will help break up whatever is there and the swimming motion will help the snake push out the rest.
For me, mineral oil is a bit more something I would consider for a snake that has a chronic issue with constipation, not a one time event. And that would be after having discussed it with a vet. As @cmsreptiles said, you want to be sure this isn’t another issue.
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Last meal was a little over 3 and a half weeks or so…he hasn’t had a bowel movement since we got him he’s fairly new. And he recently was in blue and had a successful shed. Temperament is awesome. Really sweet. I’m doing soaks and gently massaging him and he dosent seem like he’s in pain or any sudden movements when I touch the area. The lump to my knowledge was first noticed about a week or two…give or take. Started off kinda small and that picture was taken this morning. Everywhere I read they say that sumatrans are notorious foils goings months without having a bowel movement. So I thought it could be him just getting ready to do so. But it being in such a concentrated location worried me. Looks like a vet visit it is. Thank you guys!!
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Yeah that does sound concerning especially if its fast growing…
I really hope all is well and that this is just impaction.
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Borneo’s, bloods and Sumatran do not poop but maybe 2 or 3 times a year. In the wild they stay “bottom” heavy by retaining poop for long periods of time in order to keep them “anchored” so to speak, when they lunge out of their burrows to catch their prey. It’s a nature thing.
When mine retain urates I usually soak them in warm water. However when my Borneo was backlogged he also had a bit of difficulty shedding. So I put him in a soaked in warm water and then wrung out pillow slip like the ones that zip, and then put it in a sterilite tub with a lid. He wriggled and wriggled in that pillow slip so by the time I removed him the shed had come off and the poop and urates flowed.
My guys always eat no matter how backed up they are because they are supposed to have a loaded back end anyway. The urates are literally lumps of stone, literally. When you see these for the first time you won’t believe how an animal can have these things inside of them and not be grumpy!
The fact that your boy is eating, shedding, and not grumpy is a good sign. In the first picture the lump looks a little high but the second picture it looks like a normal backed up snake. I wish I had kept a picture of the urates ( which will come out first before the poop) The urates are keeping the poop plugged up.
I would try some warm soaks preferably in a large container so he can swim. After he has soaked awhile you can very very gently massage his back end. It may take a few soaks actually. I definitely would try this method and/or the pillow slip method before making a vet appointment. And definitely DO NOT give him any mineral oil. Exercise in warm soaks is all that’s needed.
Again at this point I don’t see that a vet is needed. Try the soaks and let us know what happens
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@caron oh Caron I’ve missed you haha,
I appreciate all of you guys thank you. Vet appointment is made! the one picture does look crazy cause my wife was holding him funny.
And yes I noticed while massaging him it felt hard. Kinda crunchy? But yes. Successful shed. Vet appointment is in a week I talked with them on the phone they said waiting a week won’t hurt?
I won’t do the oil.
LAST QUESTION. should I offer a meal. Or hold off until the vet visit?
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@cmsreptiles thanks Christina i appreciate all your help! I’ll keep you guys updated.
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@armiyana I wasn’t ignoring you!! Thanks for the help he’s been eating fine. Just shed. And still really sweet. Gonna continue warm soaks and massage till vet visit. 
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Yes offer him a meal. That will help with pushing out the urates. He is not in any imminent danger. But please do start the soaks tonight.
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Will do. He had one this morning!
I can do another one tonight. @caron 
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@bryanf88 Sorry Bryan that I forgot to welcome you back sooooo. WELCOME BACK! 
Also I want to add that going forward after your boy “does his business”, you will want to try to avoid this in the future. I believe the backed urate problem is not natural, like the poop is. Obviously humidity, or lack of moisture, is the culprit. I suggest swimming/encouraging exercise in warm water weekly to help with the urates. If this guy eats ft I would suggest offering a semi wet rat as opposed to a dry one. Sumatrans love fresh water too so frequent water bowl changes may encourage him to drink more. Sometimes urate problems can’t be avoided but if you know what to look for it helps.
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Sounds good Bryan. The great thing about STPs is they don’t poop much. The bad thing about STPs is they don’t poop much. Hence urates!
I remember the last time my Borneo released his poop which I talked about in a previous post, the urates came first and it looked like he was giving birth as a female live bearer would do and it looked like it could be so painful. Nature takes care of animals such as these.
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This doesn’t look as bad as you may think. I know it’s scary. Oh my god my snake is plugged! But really, as others state, stp’s only bm a couple/ few times a year.
First, no oil!
Second, I second warm baths. While in the bath, try gently tickling the under side of the tail/cloaca. This will get him to raise his tail which will help slacken the sphincter and he will start to open his cloaca. Then, gently massage the lump toward the vent as the cloaca opens. Down from the spine and out toward the vent. You can use a fair amount of pressure but if he struggles or tries to pull away, back off. He may appreciate the help and will eject it himself once started.
I totally get your concerns. I have a few bloods. With them it’s wise to record when they void so you know if it is becoming an issue. If your not comfortable manipulating him like this, vet. They will probably do the same thing and it’s always good to seek knowledgeable/ experienced hands.
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@bryanf88 Hey Bryan! Any update on the Sumatran boy?
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@caron it passed!!! No vet needed you were right. After a day or two it passed and he ate once again. lol. I really appreciate all your help and guidance. All is well! 
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That is super news Bryan! Was it really hard urates followed by poop? I am just curious…
And you are very welcome! 
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Yup a little poop. But mostly the hard urate. @caron
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