Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My white sided black rat died last week. You may remember the post about it. If not, look down farther.

The vet did a necropsy for me, and results said.... *drumroll*

Accute heart failure. She had an infarction in the heart, and an infection in her lower bowel. Seems like the infection caused the heart failure, but it could have been coincidental. Could have been a birth defect or something. Either way, it's nothing that could spread to my other animals, and while I am still terribly upset about losing her, it's such a relief that it's not crypto, as I was fearing.
Who ever heard of a snake having a heart attack?? He said it's something you never hear about, but it does happen occaisionally.

Those of you who helped, or offered comfort, thank you.

peace,
Ron Nocera

Was the vet able to identify what caused the lower bowel infection? I wouldn't have thought heart failure but then that's what a necropsy is all about. I can understand though, any major infection stressing an already weak organ. I seem to recall that in humans some viruses actually cause damage to the heart muscle. I am glad to hear that with your white sided rat it's not something contagious to the rest of your snakes.
Lora

The vet had just gotten an emergency call 30 seconds before I talked to him, so he didn't go into detail. He just wanted to let me know that it wasn't contagious. I'm taking my dog in soon to have her fixed, so we'll talk more about it then.