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Need advice, re: F/T "opening up"....

gant77 Nov 18, 2006 11:10 PM

I am feeding my snakes right now and I feed FT. Well I am thinking I heated up the rat too much and it weakend the flesh because after the snake constricted it the belly came open and the guts are out. It smells horrible but the snake continued to eat it and swallowed it! Is this healthy? Should I look out for anything due to the state of the rat at digestion? Thanks for any help.
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In Loving Memory of the best Brother God gave me
Sgt. Arnold DuPlantier II
(Army National Guard, Charlie Rock Co.)
06/03/1979-06/22/2005
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Replies (5)

tikisnakes Nov 19, 2006 12:51 AM

Why don't you just not heat it, let it thaw naturally?

gant77 Nov 19, 2006 01:18 AM

I put them in hot water because I had just pulled them out of the fridge and I just didn't feel good about letting them sit and come to room temp. I also made sure to not get them too hot and cook them in any way.
-----
In Loving Memory of the best Brother God gave me
Sgt. Arnold DuPlantier II
(Army National Guard, Charlie Rock Co.)
06/03/1979-06/22/2005
Support Our Troops

John Q Nov 19, 2006 10:12 AM

Sometimes when switching from live to frozen thawed it helps to heat the thawed rat or mouse. If you must heat them up don't put them in a microwave or oven, etc. Heat a large water bowl with about 1.5 to 2 inches of water. Usually about 2 minutes in the microwave. Place the rats, head down into a zip lock bag. Then place the bag into a second zip lock because sometimes they leak. Now put the bagged rats, head first into the bowl. After about 5-10 minutes they are warm enough to simulate live. Just dangle them in front of your ball head first and they will think its alive. No mess this way and no ingesting of substrate along with a wet rat or rat guts.

toshamc Nov 19, 2006 12:47 PM

It happens - I've gotten distracted a time or two and overheated my rodents - it makes for an interesting feeding time - it's nothing to be worried about - if you feed inside their cage/tub - be sure that you have cleaned out any of the icky mess that gets left behind as that can attract unhealthy bacteria - but other than that your snake will be fine.

Next time don't overheat.
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Tosha

gant77 Nov 19, 2006 03:25 PM

i will definately change what I am doing.
-----
In Loving Memory of the best Brother God gave me
Sgt. Arnold DuPlantier II
(Army National Guard, Charlie Rock Co.)
06/03/1979-06/22/2005
Support Our Troops

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