Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I originally posted this on the cornsnake forum, but since everyone has always been so helpful here, I am posting here as well.

I just purchased a baby cornsnake from a petstore. He is thin enough that his backbone is visible, and it is unlikely that the petstore had been feeding him properly. Initially, I had not planned on purchasing him, and so I asked an employee to feed the snake. He ate without any difficulties. Upon observing the snake further, I decided to purchase him. When I moved him into his new enclosure, he immediately regurgitated the pinky mouse. To my knowledge, this is the first time he has done this. However, to be on the safe side, I will be waiting a few days before attempting to feed him again. He does not appear to have any external parasites.

I would appreciate any advice on the matter.

Thanks.

Orocosos

It could have been the stress of the move that made him regurge, but make sure you keep him in quarantine away from your other snakes just to be on the safe side!

Also, wait at least a week before you feed him again and make sure it is a small meal. Half a pinky would work. You need to give the snake time to replenish it's gastric fluids or it might regurge again.
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Diego

Regarding replenishing gastric fluids, thanks for that. That's a good explanation of why it's important to wait, and I never thought about that. (Though I've never had a snake regurge yet, I'm sure it will happen eventually).
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1.1 Florida Kingsnake
1.0 Kisatchie Cornsnake

Generally when I feed my snake, I put him in a critter keeper, to avoid accidental ingestion of the substrate, let him eat, then wait a good ten or fifteen minutes before picking up the keeper, gently taking the top off, and setting it inside the snake's terrarium, allowing the snake to re-enter his home on his own. I haven't had any problems with regurgitation or ingestion of substrate. ^_^ I think this is a fairly stress-free way to do it.
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Holly

0.1 Lavender California Kingsnake (Lizzie Borden) (missing )
1.0 Kingsnake (Eddie Gein)
1.0 Bearded Dragon (Charley Manson)
1.0 Orange Marmalade Cat (Oliver)
1.0 Egyptian Arabian (Bagan)

2.0 Toddlers (Justice & Trevor)

I've actually doubled up on the critter keepers. I have him in the moderately-sized primary container, and that is inside a larger container. He's so tiny, I'm afraid he could escape

I meant to ask: is there anything I should be watching for since he's so thin?

Whoops! Misread the message. That is a good point. I normally feed my snakes in a small semi-opaque container without substrate. Here's a pic.

Any way you could post a picture of the cornsnake, so we can see what you mean about the ribs and such? From the way you described, it sounds more dehydrated to me than anything, unless the people just never fed it.
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Holly

0.1 Lavender California Kingsnake (Lizzie Borden) (missing )
1.0 Kingsnake (Eddie Gein)
1.0 Bearded Dragon (Charley Manson)
1.0 Orange Marmalade Cat (Oliver)
1.0 Egyptian Arabian (Bagan)

2.0 Toddlers (Justice & Trevor)

I checked on him tonight, and he's really calmed down now that he has had the chance to burrow and hide. Here's a picture of him. Please note: he was in this condition when I purchased him yesterday. I have NOT starved this snake.

Dehydration will also cause regurgitation. I've seen it happen in Honduran milks. I use a deli cup filled with moist napkins and a hole cut in the side. I place this "humidity box" inside the snake's enclosure so it has access to the higher humidity. It has worked wonders for me.
The appearance of the snake does sound like it could be dehydration, and I've noticed alot of pet stores that do not keep their snakes in the proper types of setups.

Good luck, and I hope the little snake makes it.
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1.1.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Thayeri MSP
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Girlfriend, Caucasius Mexicana, Fiancee Phase

1) Stress and car rides and new cages will cause regurges. I wouldn't worry about it if it doesn't happen again. Wait a few days then give a small pinky. If he keeps it down wait a few more days and start feeding him like crazy - several pinkies /week.

2)your snake isn't CRAZY skinny, just a little thin. Corns are very stringy as hatchlings and are not ever going to be stocky proportioned like your kingsnake.

3) Weight loss in hatchlings is commonly caused by 3 things - dehydration - being too stressed to eat - being kept in conditions that prevent proper digestion. If you remedy these three things by soaking, giving good dark hides, and leaving him alone for a few days with a good heat gradient you and your snake should be fine.

IF regurging continues, or the snake does not gain weight despite eating several meals, then a trip to the vet (or at least a fecal sample drop off) is in order to determine the underlying problem.

It's a relief to hear that! In another post I mentioned that the petstore employees did not know that the snake could eat mice, and they were not feeding him as often as necessary. He's been alert and friendly, but it's still good to have someone reaffirm that he's not in critical yet. This is the first hatchling corn I've dealt with, so I appreciate the help.