Reptile & Amphibian Forums

just got a baby guyana about a month ago. he is in a 20g tank with hot side at 85 and cool side at 75 and humidity of 60-80%. i fed him once and there wasnt a problem. then he went into shed. the shed was not that great but i think that was due to low humidity. right after shed he took his first poop. then a day later another poop. the other day i fed him once again. today he threw it up almost half digested. and he also pooped after he threw up. is this normal? please tell me what u think. thanks.

You need a basking spot in the 92-95 degree range. That will probaly fix him up. MAke sure and use a thermometer to measure it.
Also, if you are in a cold area (like I am am) be very careful about drafts from windows and doors.
It happens sometimes, the regurge factor, once isn't bad, but if it happens 2-3 times in a row then there may be a larger problem. (after 2 I would recommend a trip to the vet)
Good luck.
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Jeremy J. Anderson
snakepimp.com
gemstatereptiles.com
Of course it's my opinion, I said it, didn't I?
Breeding season is always just around the corner....JOY!!!

thanks for the help.

not to feed him again for a full 14 days. Then give him a smaller than usual meal, one with no or little hair if possible. Then wait another full 14 days and give him a slightly larger meal. If he keeps this one down, then I would start feeding him on a 10 day schedule.

Once your boa has regurged once, you must give his stomach time to recover or he will just regurge again. It is very, very important to wait to feed him.

Matt Crabe

many boas by feeding them too soon and then the animal can't stop regurging. It is EXTREMELY hard on a little snake digestive system once it regurges. Please trust on on this. You'll be tempted because your animal will look skinny and sickly but just wait it out. It'll be fine. Then go with a super small meal and wait another 2 full weeks. This is especially true with true redtails.

good luck man.
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Jeremy J. Anderson
snakepimp.com
gemstatereptiles.com
Of course it's my opinion, I said it, didn't I?
Breeding season is always just around the corner....JOY!!!

I also agree and to add to it I would not feed your boa for the next 2 weeks to his stomach can heal. How have you been feeding him (how much and how often)? Juvi BCC's have been known to develope regurge syndrome witch can kill a boa very quick. If you boa regurges again I would see a vet and it also may be a good idea to buy some nutibac, I mix nutibac with pedialite (flavor and color less) and eigther inject it into there prey or just down there throat. Good luck and hopefully it's not to serious.

-Dylan Keays
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True Redtails

i fed him once when i first got him. then he went into shed. this was only my second time feeding him and i would say there was a 2 week waitin period between meals.

thanks to everyone.

also i can see his backbone....im scared not to feed him for 2 weeks.

Regurging will cause you boa to get dehydrated and I know you want to feed your boa but dehydration will kill you boa way faster the starvation so I's very important to wait. If you feel that you must feed him now then just feed him somthing really small without any hair. If your boa regurges again you may want to soak him in none colored flavorless pedialite and see a vet ASAP. I lost 2 guyanas back in 2002 due to the regurge syndrome and it all happened really fast. Good luck
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True Redtails

maybe try keeping him or her warmer,82 on the cool side and a hot spot of 90 to 92,,maybe that will help,but wait to feed it untill a couple weeks have gone by,because if it does it again ,the animal will just be that much worse,,good luck.. Greg

Your boa has probably had problems since before you received it. If you're seeing the backbone like you stated, and it gurged on you. It's PROBABLY wild caught regardless of what the seller told you.
First thing you need to do is get prepared for the possibility of losing your first snake. Second thing you need to do is contact the seller and ask them what they are willing to do if the animal dies. Actually, do this first, contact your local herp vet and let them know you'll be in tomorrow to have your snake's health checked and that you'd like some dewormers and instructions on how to administer them.
Then, follow the instructions your vet gives you. DO NOT FEED YOUR BOA. I don't care how skinny it is. Boas do not die of lack of food. Next, adjust your boas cage temp so that there are no hot spots above 86 and nothing cooler than about 80 for right now. Too much heat or too much cool can cause more problems. Finally, follow the advice previously given about feeding. SMALL prey items for the next couple of months. After the second or third meal AND after you've finished the rounds of dewormers, get your boas feces checked. Everything should come back nice and clean (yes, I did just use the words "clean" and "feces" in the same sentence).
After everything comes back clean, start stepping up the size of the prey. DO THIS GRADUALLY. DO NOT OVERFEED YOUR BOA (regardless of whether it has had problems in the past or not). Every 10-14 days is plenty.
If you have any other problems. Come back here and state what you've done, and what has happened... and we'll give you a hand.
Hope this helps and I KNOW it comes off as derogatory or condescending, but I'm RUNNING out the door right now and I don't have the time to paint a flowery picture! lol, sorry
jb
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Jonathan Brady
"Sarcasm is angers ugly cousin" -Dr. Buddy Rydell (Jack Nicholson) in "Anger Management".