Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a young DH Snow Boa that regurged shorly after getting, I figured it was stress from shipping, I fed her a week later and all was fine, Then I fed her 4 days ago, never handled her and she regurged this morning. Anyone have any idea why, and should I be getting worried??

Terry

You can lose the snake if the delicate alimentary canal does not heal fully before feeding again. A vet check is always useful to rule out any gut bacteria or worms that should not be there.

If the snake were mine I would be allowing it to hydrate on regular basis for the next 10-14 days. One experienced breeder ( Tip Powers ) told me to allow the little boa to soak in Pedio-lite or Gator Aid for 30 minutes a day. It can't hurt right?

Also when you go back to feeding him do not give it anything but rat pups which are like jello to digest and very easy on the delicate digestive tract. Make sure your temps are correct and keep us posted and DON'T feed it for 10-14 days....Richard
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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."

I have found too that after waiting 14 days to feed that if you take the f/t rat a make an incision down its back with a razor blade this helps the snake digest easier. JMHO

Let the animal go AT LEAST 14 days with no food. 21 days is better. During that time keep it well hydrated with either daily mistings or 2-3x per week soakings in very shallow water. Even if she's showing signs of hunger, DO NOT feed her! It is crucial to let her system heal and regenerate the gut bacteria to help her digest. When you do feed her again, feed her a mouse pinky, nothing else. Then let her defecate it out or wait another 10-14 days (sometimes they utilize the entire animal with no defecation when the prey is that small) before feeding her again. Repeat this until she has kept down 4-5 meals and then move her up to 1 fuzzy per feeding but don't feed until after she has defecated. If she keeps the fuzzies down for 2-3 meals, then you can move on to regular-sized prey animals, but continue to feed her only after she defecates. Best of luck and remember to BE PATIENT with your little one.

Billy

>>I have a young DH Snow Boa that regurged shorly after getting, I figured it was stress from shipping, I fed her a week later and all was fine, Then I fed her 4 days ago, never handled her and she regurged this morning. Anyone have any idea why, and should I be getting worried??
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>>Terry

What are your temps? Often, if the animal is healthy and recently acquired, overheating could be the problem. Shoot for a range of 82-86 F. Take to a vet just in case. Good luck!

Its either to hot or to cold IMO. If you fed it four days ago and it just gurged it sounds like it would be too cool. I try to keep a gradient of 80 to 90 in the hot spot and it works well.
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"Victory is reserved for those willing to pay its price"

Since I have seen your boa and your set up I would say your temps are good. IMO this was caused by stress from a few things - shipping, being kept in a cage with another baby boa, and being fed a fuzzy rat to soon. Others have left great advice, and I agree that you should wait two weeks before feeding again. The boas weight is good at this point and two or three weeks will not harm it. Instead it will allow the digestive system time to recover. Feed it a F/T pinky rat when the time comes. Have its next 3 or 4 meals be one pinky rat. If the boa handles this do not feed fuzzy rats. Instead feed 2 pinkies and then 3. Baby boas have sensitive stomachs and moving to larger prey to soon can be bad. Also, do everything you can to make it feel secure and stress free. First I would move it to its own cage. Try not to hold it and give it good hide spots and clean water.

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Jaremy Douglas