Southern Pine Regurgitating

Well long story about this guy but he was a rescue so he is at least 6 years old at this point. Usually a great eater but over the past 2 months he has been taking his food, waiting 2 days and then it comes back to see us in a smelly mess.

I havent changed anything that I know of. Humidity may be a little higher due to the ambient in the house going up. Temps are still the same. He attacks the food like he is starving when I feed him. Tried smaller prey to see if that would work but no luck.

Any ideas what might be up with him? Not extremely worried yet. He still is at a good weight but its getting a little bothersome. Thanks

How long do you wait after a regurge to feed him again? Regurging causes them to lose a lot of the bacteria and enzymes in their gut that helps digest the food. It can also cause trauma to the upper digestive tract. If the snake is of good weight and otherwise seems healthy, I would wait at least two weeks...up to a month...before trying to feed again. Give everything time to heal and rebuild the natural digestive elements. I would also seriously consider a trip to the vet to rule out some sort of parasite or other internal issue that you can't detect from casual observation.

Thanks, I had waited a week after the regurge to try again but I will give him a little more time. I bet he is just old and grumpy and needs some prune juice ;)

I will watch him closely and take him in if he starts acting off. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by jarradw

Thanks, I had waited a week after the regurge to try again but I will give him a little more time. I bet he is just old and grumpy and needs some prune juice ;)

I will watch him closely and take him in if he starts acting off. Thanks.

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That could be the problem right there. He never had a chance to fully recover from the original regurge, and therefore, his body simply couldn't tolerate the subsequent meals. And while I'm no vet or expert, I would fear that each new regurge exacerbated the issue. If I were in your shoes, I'd wait a full month before offering a new meal...and then it would be a smaller than normal meal.

As JLC said, wait and then feed him a smaller meal.

It also wouldn't hurt to sprinkle some Repti-Bac or Bene-Bac on the prey item.

Bene-bac can be purchased at most Petcos and is beneficial bacteria for reptiles.

Crank the heat up under that snake and dont feed it for two weeks - at least. I would wait three actually. I wouldnt offer a smaller meal, I would just give it time to recover the necessary bacteria and settle it's system. The pro-biotic mention was really good as well. I've used it with success.

If there is a mild infection that is causing it, the heat will take care of it. I've had similar problems in the past and I would stick the snake in the top of my python rack where the hot spot is 91. They hang out there till they feel better and I've never once had an issue. Just be sure the snake can get off the heat if they want to.

Hope that helps.

P.R