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Hey all, a question pertaining to my Gray Ratsnake. My 07 male seems to be very healthy, never had a problem with him or with any of his feedings. Approx. 8 months ago I fed him a rat instead of a mouse. He regurged around four days later. Waited around 14-17 days, fed, everthing back to normal. Never had a probmlem again, until about two mounths ago. Again it was a rat. Regurged around three to four days later.
So in a nutshell he can eat mice, large, small, no issues, but if I feed him a rat, that's when he regurges. The rat was even smaller then the typical sized adult mouse that I feed. Anyone have snakes with a simular issue? Steve

The rat is probably just to big to digest. Rats can provide more calcium than mice. If your trying an average adult rat, try two or three small rats (the size of big female breeder mice).
I have an adult blue beauty that is 9' but will still regurge an adult rat.
I feed, well in fact just fed him 4 small rats which amounts to probably more mass than one adult rat. In that it is not one huge bulge it can handle it easily.
I save the large rats for my python which has a much bulkier body.
Mike.

Thanks Mike for your input on my question. For the time being, I'll just stick with large/jumbo mice, and may give a smaller rat a try in the not so distant future. Steve

Steve,

I have Gray Rats that do just fine on rats. Were the rats from the same bach of food? Have other animals be able to eat the rats without problems? Other than size, I can't see why rats should make your Gray regurg. I would look for causes other than the fact that it is a rat you are feeding the animal.

Rick

Rick, the rats were at two different times. I've had the grey ratsnake for over a year, and he's only been fed a rat twice. Looking at my records, the first time was 4/22/09 and the last time was 9/1/09 Both times after the regurge, he was give approx. 14 days to recoup, and started slowly with smaller then normal meals. As of now, he's pounding large adult mice with no visible problems.
Some of my other snakes that are large enough, have had zero problems with eating rats. Thanks for your help. Steve

>>I have Gray Rats that do just fine on rats. Were the rats from the same bach of food? Have other animals be able to eat the rats without problems? Other than size, I can't see why rats should make your Gray regurg. I would look for causes other than the fact that it is a rat you are feeding the animal.

You might want to try a dose of Flagyl at 50mg per kg of body weight, then repeat in 10-14 days. It could easily have some microbial pathogens in the intestinal tract.

But if you do this, DO NOT feed it again for at least a good week or so AFTER the last treatment, as this kills both bad AND good flora within the gut. So the snake needs sufficient time to get it's stomach back in balance with replenishing the acids, enzymes, and electrolytes after the medication. Also, some "Nutri-Bac" can help with replenishing the microorganisms needed for proper digestion after the medication too.

If this is a bit beyond your capability, or you don't have any of the medication anyway, I would take it to a good reptile vet so he/she can do a culture on the animal to find out exactly what's going on. I would really recommend this route anyway to people to be honest.

good luck with things!

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

Thanks Doug for the information. When in doubt, that is always the best course of action to take. Steve