Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I picked up a pair of Het lavenders earlier this week(about 200g each). They both took a large mouse yesterday. My problem is today the female is very bloated looking. When I pick her up she feels like she is full of air. The bulge extendes from the stomach all the way down to the cloaca. The bulge in the belly is way larger than when she first ate the meal. I have never seen this with any of my other balls. Just looking for some advice. Is this normal?
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1.2 Het Pied
1.1 Het Lavender Albino
1.1 Het Albino
0.7 Normals
1.0 66% Het lav albino
1.0 50% Het lav albino
0.0.2 1999 Hatchling Galapagos Torts

can't think of too many t hings that may cause this. if temperatures are not correct in her tank, could be gases building up from the mouse rotting inside...or if the mouse itself was 'off' when fed, excessive bacteria could be causing the bloating. there are other internal problems that could be causing it as well, such as inflammation of the stomach or intestinal wall, parasites, bacteria or other factors. backed up fecal matter may be the cause too.

my suggestion, is get her to a vet, especially if all your temps are correct and the mice you fed are very fresh
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PHLdyPayne

I feed live, so the mouse was definatly fresh. The only thing I can think of is the mouse was a little too big. I looked on the website I bought her from and she had always been fed rat pinkies. I would think a 200 grams is large enough to eat an adult mouse though.
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1.2 Het Pied
1.1 Het Lavender Albino
1.1 Het Albino
0.7 Normals
1.0 66% Het lav albino
1.0 50% Het lav albino
0.0.2 1999 Hatchling Galapagos Torts

A vet visit is unlikely until Monday. By then, I suspect your snake will still be fine. Some of mine get the distended look when they have eaten a rat but have not deficated since their last meal.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

I figured it is not really a big deal, but I was suprised how much gas is built up in her and that the gas goes all the way down to the cloaca. I am probably just paranoid because I spent a ridiculous amout of money on her. Thanks for help
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1.2 Het Pied
1.1 Het Lavender Albino
1.1 Het Albino
0.7 Normals
1.0 66% Het lav albino
1.0 50% Het lav albino
0.0.2 1999 Hatchling Galapagos Torts

Just keep watching and keep us posted.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

She actually looked a little worse this morning. She could not even coil her body due to the gas so I decided to soak her in warm water. After about 5 minutes soaking she ended up regurging the meal (house still smells a little). She looks fine now though. All the gas is gone and she appears to be acting normal. I think I am just going to wait a week or so to feed, and offer her extra small meals for a few feedings. Thanks for help
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1.2 Het Pied
1.1 Het Lavender Albino
1.1 Het Albino
0.7 Normals
1.0 66% Het lav albino
1.0 50% Het lav albino
0.0.2 1999 Hatchling Galapagos Torts

That's a good idea. Smaller meals never hurn anyone. Larger meals, can sometimes present a problem.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

>>I picked up a pair of Het lavenders earlier this week(about 200g each). They both took a large mouse yesterday. My problem is today the female is very bloated looking. When I pick her up she feels like she is full of air.

I’d suggest that you stop picking her up right after feeding her a meal that is 10 to 15 per cent of her body weight. Let her digest her meal in peace! From what you said in your other post, you may have doubled the mass of her food intake in one meal. Gas production is normal in digestion.

I usually get a fecal done on any new addition to my collection. If you suspect some kind of gastrointestinal problem, that’s really the place to start for your answer. Everything else is just speculation.

BTW, if the animal was already accepting rats, why switch her over to mice which will be a more costly diet in the long run?

Good luck with your new additions.

-Joan

I only picked her up because I noticed the bloating. I have a few groups of rats I am trying yo breed, But I think I am the only person in the world who can't get rats to breed. I have 4 separate trios going for abut 6-8 weeks and I have not got babies so far. There is not any pet stores that sell rat fuzzies or pups, so I usually just feed large mice until they can take small rats. I have never had any issues at all getting my snakes to switch to rats. If they refuse a rat the first time offered I usually just skip the meal by they time the next feeding day comes around they always eat the rat.
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1.2 Het Pied
1.1 Het Lavender Albino
1.1 Het Albino
0.7 Normals
1.0 66% Het lav albino
1.0 50% Het lav albino
0.0.2 1999 Hatchling Galapagos Torts