Small mice bones sticking out of vent?

[transcend11]

I noticed today on my 3-year old corn snake that there was a couple small (what I believe) are bones from the mice we feed sticking half way out of his vent. When I touched them he jumped a bit. He does have a pretty large bump down by his vent so I think a new poop is coming soon.

Is this a big concern? Can I just wait and see if it comes out with his next bowel movement or is this a vet visit? There doesn't look like there is any bleeding, discharge, obstruction, or any other irregularity.

Thanks!
Ryan

[Bartholomew]

That's weird. Snakes would digest the bones along with the whole mouse.
I'd say give it some time. Maybe about 3-4 days? If he still doesn't have a bowel movement, then it would be time to visit the vet.
Then again, I've never heard anything like this.
This is just something I would do. Keep us updated.

[transcend11]

I put him in a warm bath today to see if it would make him have a bowel movement, but nothing happened. The lump actually looks gone, so it's possible he already went in his tank - either way, the few small things sticking out of his vent are still there.

However, I looked at it more closely and it actually appears to be some of his bedding, a few small pieces of his Aspen shavings. Maybe when his vent opened up some of it got caught in the opening.

Anyone ever seen this? It's still not red or inflamed at all.

[bitsy]

If you feed in the tank, then he could have swallowed some aspen accidentally. I'd be wary of leaving it where it is, for fear of it causing a rubbing injury and infection. If he already had a bowel movement and it's still there, that indicates that you'll need to help the process along. If you feel that it's not going to be easy for you to remove, then maybe a vet visit is in order.

[diamondlil]

I've heard of aspen getting picked up at the vent before, especially during breeding or after defacating. A little soak in cool water may help it be expelled

[Becca58]

An amature question here... could this be your snake's hemipenes?

[Nanci]

Hemipenes on an adult snake are big purple-red slimy things. If you didn't know what they looked like, you'd think the snake had suffered a horrible injury. There is a photo in the Proposal Regarding Hybrids thread, toward the end.

[SteelJawEmily]

Is there any way you could get a picture? If they are on the sides of his vent, it might be his spurs. Some corn snakes can have pretty good sized ones. I can try to get a picture of my male's for you if you want.

[airenlow]

Hemipene

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn35/airenlow/2011%20Breeding%20Season/DSC_0689.jpg

And corns don't have spurs

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn35/airenlow/2011%20Breeding%20Season/DSC_0672.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn35/airenlow/2011%20Breeding%20Season/DSC_0705.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn35/airenlow/2012%20Breeding%20Season/DSC_0271.jpg

[SteelJawEmily]

No? Interesting.....I'll have to double check my male then....lol!