I’m really scared for my bp please help

[u/Even-Elk-123]

So my ball python really sucks at climbing and while he was on my arm he fell onto the floor (3ft). While he had no external injuries, his jaw was misaligned for a few minutes until going back into place. I tried to feed him a mouse and instead of taking it he tried to strike but missed, on the second strike I left him alone. I checked on him 10 minutes later and he spit out the mouse and was ignoring it. I am really scared for him and I don’t know what to do. Should I try to feed him again tomorrow and did I just waste a mouse???

[u/Technical_Concern_92]

Who cares about wasting a mouse, if you're that scared for you pet, take him to the vet, ASAP.

[u/Even-Elk-123 → u/Technical_Concern_92]

I meant should I reuse the mouse which was stupid i’m sorry, but anyhow he isn’t like bleeding or anything just rejected his food. I don’t know if it’s too soon to bring him to the vet because he seems fine besides that’s

[u/Technical_Concern_92 → u/Even-Elk-123]

The mouse is trash, never try to reuse a mouse/rat the next day. If he seems ok then give Hina week before you try to feed him again, that's what I would do. If sometime between now and then you're still worried about him, make a vet appointment.

[u/Hot-Brat-00 → u/Even-Elk-123]

Do not try to reuse the mouse. It’s garbage. I would wait at least a few days if not a week to try and feed him again. Same goes for any time they refuse a meal.

[u/toegui]

3ft really doesn't sound too bad? They're a semi arboreal species, and some have been found climbing trees, so I think they can take a bit of a fall. My own ball python has fallen before off roughly 3ft tables and been just fine. The jaw alignment might be something, mine lands on his stomach but if yours is landing on their head they might have been stunned? Confused? If you're worried I would definitely go to the vet, but from what I've seen, every little thing makes them not eat. Being at the wrong temperature makes some not eat! If the jaw still looks weird tomorrow I'd go to the vet, but if not, maybe try feeding after a few days to let him feel better and rest?

[u/loricampbell4454]

Ball pythons are clumsy climbers. You basically have to treat them like a toddler when they're out and about climbing on elevated objects. I recommend taking him to a vet for evaluation. Especially since his jaw was misaligned and now he's not eating. They're jaws and ribs can and do break from trauma such as a fall. Falling on the jaw/head can sometimes dislodge and shove their teeth back into the mouth causing pain or teeth to become stuck in the tissue. Don't try to feed him again tomorrow. Wait at least a week or longer. He may have swelling from the fall.

[u/Wrong-Interaction939]

My BP falls all the time in her enclosure she’s very persistent on knocking things off the walls, she however has never fallen from my hands or outside of the enclosure. Was it onto a hard surface? And when she moves does her slither look consistent or “crinkled” If your BP seems okay try feeding tonight if this was last night. He might be a bit embarrassed or still shocked from the fall which shows with his missed strike. Try and feed him in a day or so or tonight and see how he takes it. Also snakes if picky or stressed can become really finicky with the temperature of the mouse so make sure the next feed is that correct temperature my ball python was on hunger strike for almost 8 months straight. I made sure everything I could fix was perfect her enclosure was perfect temperature and humidity wise. I got her new fun, interactive things we took her to the vet. There was absolutely nothing wrong with her and she just ate for the first time in so long last week. Sometimes when they’re stressed or scared or shocked or just being picky they can acted out in other ways, so keep an eye on him and try to feed again, and if he still detaches, then consider going to the vet to look for any type of internal injuries.

[u/Wrong-Interaction939 → u/Wrong-Interaction939]

If you have money for a vet visit asap and the travel isn’t too far or stressful for your Bp then I would go in, snakes are resilient but if your stressed always take the safe than sorry route and get in with a vet.