Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My colombian boa female of 9 month 96 cm 600 grams has regurged 2 times, the 29/05 she eat 1 mouse and 1 chick and the 31/05 she regurged a chick, the 02/06 she eat 2 mouse and the 03/06 regurged a mouse, which could be the cause?
All the food was frozen, I live them at 80°f for 10/15 hours before i give to her.
The vet said to use Flagyl given by intubation, but an other vet has said to put it in the meal, wat do you think is best to do?
I keap her at temp 84°f constants in the last month, I have her from November.Thanks

Here's the treatment protocol taken from www.boa-constrictors.com

Good luck!

Bill

Regurgitation Syndrome

This term describes the chronic regurgitation of a partially digested prey item, without an infectious disease being apparent. The regurgitation syndrome occurs mainly when raising young boas (especially in Boa c. constrictor) and recently imported wild-caught animals. It leads to a significant loss of fluids and electrolytes in the animal. Most of the time, the regurgitation occurs between the third and fifth day after feeding. The regurgitation syndrome is one of the most common causes of death in young boids, and is in most cases a result of an inappropriate feeding schedule.

Possible causes:
• Insufficient digestion in young boas
• Over-sized prey animals or overly frequent feedings (the main reason!)
• Inadequate housing conditions (temperature/humidity)
• Nervousness and stress due to handling or dominant specimens within the same enclosure
• Dehydration, especially in recently imported wild-caught specimens or animals that were not well cared for

Measures:
• Check housing conditions (temperature, humidity)
• Implement a feeding break of at least 14 days, starting with the day of the regurgitation (crucial!)
• After the break feed a very small(!) prey item (a pinkie mouse for neonate boas) and wait at least 10 days before the next feeding
• Limit handling as much as possible and maybe cover the front of the enclosure
• Separate the animals

Notice: If several regurgitations have already occurred, then the animals may be dehydrated. In that case, subcutaneous injections with sterile salt solution (up to 4% of the body mass daily or every other day) are necessary until the level of hydration has returned to normal.