Died 3 days after giving birth...

[Whitelipp]

Hey guys.

I have sad news... My two year old whitelip viper female died suddenly today three days after she gave birth. She ate a small mouse two days ago. This morning she had an over bite and looked like she was disorientated. I took her out in the sun and there she just rolled over bit the ground a few times and died.
I have no idea what went wrong. I will put her in the deep freeze and take her for an autopsy. Who would be able to help me with this when I come up to Pretoria on the 22nd?
Now I will have to keep back a few babies cos man I lost my first venomous snake I've ever had and she was a gem.

Any one have any idea what the cause of death can be?

[Hustler]

Damn sorry to hear that mate

[Graeme]

You can take her to Onderstepoot and have Dr Elliott open her up. You may find a slug or two that blocked up the pipes and caused her meal to poison her when she couldn't pass it. Also it may be that at 2 years old, she was possibly a little too young to handle the strain of pregnancy. One would have to see her condition to confirm that.
Terribly sorry for your loss, but at least you can pick the best from the little ones to continue her legacy.

[Crash]

I gotta agree with Graeme on that, But yeah terribly sorry for your loss.

[Whitelipp]

Well I got her in March 2008. This makes her almost 3. So I don't think she is to small or young. She lost allot of condition during the whole pregnancy...
She gave me 16 neonates which is not a bad batch. But I'll take her to onderstepoort and see what we can discover. Thanx guys. I'm a bit shocked how in three days she can go from great to dead. Just can't understand it.

[it_bit_me]

Hey Whitelipp, sorry about your snake. I think if you want an autopsy you should keep it in the fridge.

[Jen]

I'm so sorry - what a terrible disapointment. Keep us posted regarding the post mortem

[CarlaSmit87]

Sorry to hear... Would you say your decision to get a whitelip as a first venemous was a good choice? I'm just gathering info to convince the bf...

[Whitelipp]

Well it wasn't the first hot I handled. But yea it was the first venomous snake I kept and now I miss the little creature. She was quick as hell and man did she start chowing eventually... Just keep in mind they don't have the worst bite but they do pack a mean punch!
If you want a hatchling I would be more than willing to offer you one once they are chowing.

[bradmiller]

Carla - just get a female to start they feed better and will cause less worry and stress to you, males can be a bit of a pain.

Whitelipp you cant just say the bite is not that bad there have been some serious hospitalisations for T albolabris. Have you been bitten before?
Venom reacts to people in different ways so I would be careful saying that are not bad especially if there are kids around as most of these reported cases are of bites to children.
Needless to say they are a common starter hot and have a clam to mild nature but a venomous snake it still is - and that is why it is listed in the Exotic highly venomous snakes section.

Don't worry I am sure you will sell your babies - they eventually will all go.

[Whitelipp]

Bradmiller just read my previous post again...