Feeding Accident

[PJ FF]

Ok, so yesterday I went to feed my ball python a F/T and I put him in his feeding cage which consist of just papertowls as substrate. When I got him out of his cage, unknowingly he had a peice of the hard substrate on his belly. When he constriced the mouse that substrate ended up in the right side of his mouth and he then wouldnt eat and had it stuck. So I called my dad up to hold me snake while I pulled this peice of substrate out. When I put him back in, he refused the meal. The thing im worryed about is that this bark was stuck for about 3 minutes leave the left side completly closed and the right side wide open. Should I just wait I while to feed and if that doesnt work, take him to the vet. Anything is welcome......
P.S. I know its my fault

[monkeywrench133]

What kind of substrate?

[PJ FF]

Reptibark

[Sano]

Just to be sure your snake is okay,take him for a visit to the vet.

[PJ FF]

Ok, ill probably be doing that. Any other advise is welcome

[jotay]

I had a similar incident happen. After my bp had swallowed his mouse a pc of bark got stuck in the back of his mouth/jaw kinda like a bit on a horse.
He couldn't fully shut or open his mouth. It was like this for about 3-4 mins as I tried to see if he could shake it before I tried.
He didn't and I had to hold him w/ the help of my son and take a pair of tweezers to pluck it out.
He was fine afterwords. I would say just check inside his mouth to see if there are any cuts/wounds and just keep an eye on him. I don't think you need to go to the vet if everything appears ok.

To open his mouth just take something long and slim like a top off a ballpoint pen and gently slide it back in his mouth and you should be able to get a good look.

[krackerJack]

if you have a seperate feeding cage you shouldnt use any substrate.imo a rubbermaid with some holes cut out would be the best bet

[PJ FF]

Ok, ill try taking a look in his mouth and then if anything come up, ill let you all know.

[jotay]

His first post says when he lifted out to put in the feed container that the bp had a pc of bark stuck to his belly. That's how it got in the container.

[JLC]

All the above having already been said, I'll just say that it won't hurt him a bit to wait until his next scheduled feeding (at least) before trying again. He'll be fine if he has to skip a meal or two.