PLEASE HELP! ADVICE OPINIONS NEEDED...

[jessop]

Hey guy's just got off the phone to a very concerned mate... Can anyone offer advice or opinions on this?
His carpet python, bout 2 years old recently ate her 1st adult rat. was on mediums before. Anyway the snake got it down after half an hour + of trying, apparently he thought the rat was too big but tried it as a feed on pet shop advice... The snake looked very bloated and uncomfortable (stomach/skin was vry stretched too, sorry he didnt geive me pics to share). It pooped out some white stuff yesterday and some brown stuff today but was still huge. just in the last half hour the snake threw up the better part of the meal (still in rat form, fur and all) and has been acting edgy since... he said he gave it a quick bath to clear the mess of his snakes face and the snake seems ok now... he is REALLY concerned though and called me straight away... i said i'd ask some friends for him which means you guys... :wink: Will his snake be ok? is spewing up normal? he was under the impression if the snake can get it down it will be fine (obviously not). Any damage done here? Thanks in advance for any advice!

[shamous1]

Hi Jessop,

Not sure if I can help but I fed a female adult Childreni tonight (adult mouse) and it took her ages to get it down. After a couple minutes I looked at her again and she threw it up too.

I gave her a bit of a clean and she appears to be o'k. I guess it's possible that snakes get sore stomachs as well and maybe this is one reason why they throw up.

When you say adult rat. How many grams are we talking about?

[jessop]

hmmm, possible 100g +, was apparently a lot bigger than the normal feeding items... thanks for the reply do you think his snake will be ok, it has never done that in the past... should he see a vet or not worry?

[shamous1]

Without seeing it in person it's hard too tell. I have a coastal approx 2 years old and she takes 40 gram rats. 100 gram rats are probably too big for it and she may have stressed out.

Send one of the mods (who are more knowledgable than me) a PM and I'm sure one of them will have an answer for you.

[shamous1]

Maybe even brrrr. I think they are still on right now.

[Wrasse]

A 2 year old would want to be well grown to handle an adult rat.

Snakes can regurgitate for a myriad of reason. Wrong temps for digestion, contaminants on or in the rat, discomfort, handling while it's stomach is full, if feeling threatened while it's stomach is full, illness and more.

Leave the snake be, no handling and a nice quiet warm place, give it a few weeks before offering another food item, as it has now had undue stress placed on the digestive system and the gut flora.

The next few feeds should be small single rodents spaced a few weeks apart each. Aim for a size slightly smaller than the girth of the snake at it's widest point. If it regurgitates again, I suggest a vet visit.

Naturally, while waiting to give it the next feed, monitor the behaviour of the snake and if at all concerned, seek veterinary advice.

[shamous1]

I forgot to mention Wrasse. There's the answer you were after. :wink:

[josho]

I have had one of mine scoff down a MASSIVE feed for its size before, and had the really unpleasant regurgitation happen a day or so later.
This snake got it down ok, but as it couldn't move i think it felt a bit vunerable.
I wouldn't do it again tho!

I wouldn't worry too much bout your mates snake, it may be a bit upset, but wouldn't you? The smell of the rat is preety bad when chucked back up!

[jessop]

thanks wrasse, shamous1 and josho! will pass on your comments! will tell him not to stress too much! thanks again!

[shamous1]

That's the good thing about being on the site. Evryone is here to help each other. I'll be asking you guys for help next.

HAve a good night guys.

[Wrasse]

That's the good thing about being on the site. Evryone is here to help each other. I'll be asking you guys for help next.

Lets hope you don't have to.

[zen]

I've read somewhere that regurgitation is not good for them.
If it happens too often, they can develop chronic regurgitation.

Do a search on this site as I think I read it here.

[triptych_angel]

Sometimes my snakes get a feed half way down then decide they dont want to eat it and let it go and reverse out of it, normal size food etc....i offer it again 30mins later and bam its gone! and no further problems! I think maybe sometimes they get stage fright if someone is watching them, so now i just leave them alone when they eat.

[Pythoninfinite]

Digestion is temperature dependent - and also depends on the size of the food animal. A very large meal in a hot environment will start to rot before the snake's digestive processes can prevent it, and a very large meal in a cooler environment will lead to the same thing, although this time because the digestive processes are slowed by the cooler temp. It is unwise to feed huge meals to any snake at any time, and an adult rat (150gm+) would be far to big for a 2 year old carpet especially at this time of the year.

If you feed even moderately large meals in a heatwave and your snakes are exposed to high temps, you will have the same problem.

Mostly regurgitation won't cause any long-term problems, just leave the snake for a couple of weeks then offer smallish meals for the next month or two.

Jamie.

[Lurk]

I agree with Wrasse here every thing said makes sense.I feel that 2 years is to young to be eating an adult rat..They do regergitate if it is making them uncomfortable or under weather.I would not worry that this will happen all the time though,as long as you follow what Wrasse suggested and minamise the food the Coastal should be fine.