Snakes Regurgitating

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Snakes Regurgitating

Postby mania » Sun Oct 26, 2014 10:52 pm

Hi All

What could be the reasons as to why snakes would regurgitate? I'm asking because I got a few rattlesnakes about 2 months ago that were cooled by the previous owner for breeding. After a while of struggling to get them to eat, two regurgitated their meal about 3 days after feeding. The other rattlers kept in the same conditions have kept their meals down. I have got males and female separate, all in my quarantine room.
In my other room across the house from the quarantine room, last week my Gaboon of 2 and half years decided to regurgitate his meal. The meal is the same size he has eaten in the past couple months.
So I know its definitely not the food size that has made any of the snakes regurgitate. Any other ideas as to what it could be all of a sudden?

Thanks
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Re: Snakes Regurgitating

Postby Ruan Stander » Mon Oct 27, 2014 12:11 pm

The most common causes for this include incorrect temperatures, stress, internal parasites or some form of illness and drinking too much water following a meal. Prey items have to be seriously over-sized to be regurgitated because they are too big.
Sometimes, for no apparent cause it does happen and nothing serious comes from it.

My guess would be that it has something to do with them coming out of brumation recently. Meals should be very small for a few weeks before feeding them normal sized prey again. Like starting up a sport at age forty after having been sedentary for twelve years.You can't just go full out, you ease into it.

Leave them for twelve days, make sure they drink lots of water and then feed a small meal again.
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Re: Snakes Regurgitating

Postby Snakesitter » Mon Oct 27, 2014 9:34 pm

I agree with Predator -- and would add that how you handle a snake *after* a regurg is crucial to its recovery. I usually double the time between feedings and lower prey size by a notch (for example, medium to small). You may want to go even one level lower given they are just coming out of brumation. If they keep this starter meal down, repeat the process exactly. If they keep that down too, move *either* the frequency or size back to normal. If they keep this down too, repeat one final time. If this works, you should be free and clear. Good luck!
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Re: Snakes Regurgitating

Postby mania » Tue Oct 28, 2014 12:18 pm

Thanks for the reply guys. Will try the above mentioned, and try keep everyone updated what happens.
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Re: Snakes Regurgitating

Postby Ruan Stander » Tue Oct 28, 2014 10:55 pm

Cool, best of luck.
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Re: Snakes Regurgitating

Postby Snakesitter » Wed Oct 29, 2014 9:36 pm

^^ What he said. Please keep us posted!
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Re: Snakes Regurgitating

Postby mania » Mon Nov 10, 2014 3:21 pm

Just an update. I fed my rattlers adult mice dropping down size from originally feeding medium sized rats. The one has kept the meal down and its been a couple days already. The other rattler regurgitated two days later. So I have now got him separate and increased the temp in the tank and hopefully the next feeding session he will hold it down.
Also I fed my Gaboon a small rat and he is holding that down so far :)


Thanks Again for the help guys
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Re: Snakes Regurgitating

Postby Snakesitter » Mon Nov 10, 2014 10:33 pm

Good news (mostly)! Remember to give them an extended period before the next meal (whether they regurged or not), so as ensure they can keep food down. Again, go small, and again wait a while before refeeding. Good luck!
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Re: Snakes Regurgitating

Postby mania » Tue Nov 11, 2014 1:19 pm

Perfect thanks will definitely do :)
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Re: Snakes Regurgitating

Postby Ruan Stander » Tue Nov 11, 2014 3:37 pm

That's good news in general. Good luck with the rattler.
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Re: Snakes Regurgitating

Postby Saherper » Sun May 21, 2017 12:27 pm

So guys a question that i have been thinking about for a while is, can snakes get internal parasites from eating live or pre-killed rodents
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Re: Snakes Regurgitating

Postby Mr. Whiskers » Mon May 22, 2017 6:58 am

Your question is quite off topic, and this thread is three years old. Rather search on the forum for a similar thread or create one yourself :)
and just to answer your question: http://www.animalbliss.com/what-kinds-of-intestinal-parasites-can-my-reptile-get/ says that it is entirely possible
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