Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When I got the corns (like on the 4th?), I fed both the male and female 2 days after getting them (6th). The female's pinky was a bit too large I guess (I was short of the smaller pinkies at the time), and she regurged the next day (the 7th). No big--not great, but ya know, just wait a bit and feed smaller next time.

I waited until this Sunday (the 15th) to feed her again, with a very small live pinky. She regurged it today, and it didn't look digested at all. There was a coating of blood and slime. And a horrible stench. It looked kind of bloated.
I've kept a longish time, but more boids than colubrids until this year, and I've never had something like this happen. I mean, I've had some regurges--some imported vine snakes w/parasites and stress, but I've never had a snake puke more than once (and not many even then), except for the vines and they were loaded with protozoans and other crap, so they weren't healthy (and are the reason I don't buy WC anymore). And this corn wasn't sick when I got it. It's CB from a very good breeder and a real pretty gal.

I'll get her into the vet tomorrow or the day after (depending on when I can get an appt) but if I busted something I'm not sure what they can do.
Have I killed my snake?
I feel like such a freaking noob right now >.< I've never really worked with Elaphe apart from one snow corn I got as an adult and an amel that a friend dumped off on me when he moved...also an adult.

oh, quick rundown on husbandry--
is in a 12 qt. tub, warm end 84, cool end room temp. The male's in the next tub over and he's not had any problems. She's on paper towels, 2 hides, both made from a busted flowerpot, and has a small deli cup (actually the one she was shipped in) as a water bowl. She's been acting pretty normally--she ate both times obviously, and I've seen her drink once or twice. She mostly splits her time up between the two hides.

itll will probally be ok. just let the vet check it out. the biggest problem with a regurge is dehydration. make sure their is plenty of fresh clean water and temps are good. the regurge may be a temp problem or a size problem. you should double check the temps just to be safe. maybe raise the humidity slightly and leave it be after the vet trip and ill bet it will be ok
adam jeffery
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" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

Not much the vet can do. My suggestion: Wait another week, then feed her a mouse tail or half a pinky. The fact that either one is cut open is important, as the digestive enzymes can work more quickly on exposed meat than skin.
Most important thing, though is waiting another week and giving her something very small to digest.

>>When I got the corns (like on the 4th?), I fed both the male and female 2 days after getting them (6th). The female's pinky was a bit too large I guess (I was short of the smaller pinkies at the time), and she regurged the next day (the 7th). No big--not great, but ya know, just wait a bit and feed smaller next time.
>>
>> I waited until this Sunday (the 15th) to feed her again, with a very small live pinky. She regurged it today, and it didn't look digested at all. There was a coating of blood and slime. And a horrible stench. It looked kind of bloated.
>>I've kept a longish time, but more boids than colubrids until this year, and I've never had something like this happen. I mean, I've had some regurges--some imported vine snakes w/parasites and stress, but I've never had a snake puke more than once (and not many even then), except for the vines and they were loaded with protozoans and other crap, so they weren't healthy (and are the reason I don't buy WC anymore). And this corn wasn't sick when I got it. It's CB from a very good breeder and a real pretty gal.
>>
>>I'll get her into the vet tomorrow or the day after (depending on when I can get an appt) but if I busted something I'm not sure what they can do.
>>Have I killed my snake?
>>I feel like such a freaking noob right now >.< I've never really worked with Elaphe apart from one snow corn I got as an adult and an amel that a friend dumped off on me when he moved...also an adult.
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Jack Jeansonne

>>Not much the vet can do. My suggestion: Wait another week, then feed her a mouse tail or half a pinky. The fact that either one is cut open is important, as the digestive enzymes can work more quickly on exposed meat than skin.
>>Most important thing, though is waiting another week and giving her something very small to digest.
>>

I was going to say the same thing as far as cutting it open. I'd feed a very small meal and make a few slices in it so it's easier to digest. Personally I'd be more comfortable waiting longer than a week, but you'll have to make a judgment call depending on how emaciated your snake is at that point. Rehydration is very important right now, and if you can get some electrolytes back in the snake's system that would be a big help. Maybe try mixing gatorade, pedialite, or something else with the water but you may have to dilute it a good bit so the smell/taste isn't very strong. Good luck.

The vet visit will be a waste of time and money. As the others have said, there's not much a vet can do in this scenario.

I'd move the snake to a smaller enclosure. Large enclosures stress out small snakes. Something the size of a shoebox (or smaller) works well for baby snakes. I would leave the snake completely alone (except for checking that it's still alive every three days) for 10 days before attempting to feed it.

Snakes sometimes go into a shed cycle after regurging. If this happens, do not attempt to feed the snake until after it sheds.

Tim

12 quart iris box is about a shoebox size--11"x 6" or something like that.
Question--despite the regurges, she has pooped and it looks fine. What's up with that?

The above advice from other poster's is pretty accurate here.

Also, a tiny dash of "Nutri-Bac" could help out immensely here. It is only about $10 bucks. The other advice of electrolytes is "spot-on" as well.

If this doesn't work, I would administer Flagyl(Metronidazole) at 50 mg./per kg. of body weight, and repeat in about 10 12 days. However, DO NOT attempt to feed it until about 10 days or so AFTER the last treatment, as the medication kills ALL bacteria in the gut, both bad AND good, so feeding at this time would be putting the snake right back where it started, not being able to digest properly. After the last dose of Flagyl, you could give it a bit of the "Nutri-Bac", as this will greatly help in replenishing it's gut flora(bacteria) content so it can digest properly when all is said and done.

This has given FABULOUS results for me in the past, even without having the "Nutri-Bac". These things must be done correctly, and in the proper order to have good results.

Upping the warmer side temps a couple degrees will also help with it's metabolism to help out with this problem.

If small snakes continue to regurge, this can start a "domino" effect that can easily lead to the snake's death, so doing these things exactly in the proper order is key to getting the snake's health back in order.

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

where does one find this nutra-vac? I didn't see it on LLL's website, and I don't have local stores--or would a feed store have it?

The average plastic shoebox is 5 quarts, not 12.

I think Doug is referring to nutribiotic, which makes grapefruit seed extract (GSE).

You can look up information on how GSE is used to help snakes with regurge problems on the internet. Some people think it works great, though I've never tried it.

Tim

Third Eye

It's a "probiotic called "Nutri-Bac".

Read the link, it explains everything you need to know.

~Doug
Nutri-Bac

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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

A quick note: Some reputable breeders say that a large part of the danger of regurg. is that they loose so much of the digestive fluids along with the regurgitation... and that it takes time to replenish. While allowing that to happen, one is also giving the tissue time to heal (since they're kinda built for stuff to go in one direction.) So the pro-biotics are in order. Just wanted to point out that it's got to do with digestives as well as water. All corns should have a ready supply of water.

Make sure you're using a filtered or bottled water (not distilled) rather than tap water, too.

Good luck!