Refreezing thawed rat

First off, yes I know this question has probably been asked a thousand times but my situation seems to be slightly different then the ones I can find.

So I thawed a rat out, which normally takes about 30 mins, and went to feed my snake. Only find out she's shedding. I put it back in the freezer within minutes of it being thawed. So I'm wondering if that rat would be fine to feed maybe a week or two later when she's done shedding?

Did you thaw it in warm water or use a hairdryer on it for warmth at any point? If so, I'd toss it. If not, it still may be gross to feed but probably safe if it actually
stayed cold. I'm not a fan of refreezing prey...they get mushy & spoiled...remember that freezing doesn't kill "germs", it only suspends their growth; when you thaw,
& especially when you warm it, those "germs" (like in the rodents gut) are having a party & multiplying, so you risk more spoilage than your snake's tummy can
handle. When re-offered, your snake may decide it smells off & refuse it, or he might eat it & be fine, or he might eat it & puke it up...no one can tell you for sure.
It's your call.

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Originally Posted by Elitedog

First off, yes I know this question has probably been asked a thousand times but my situation seems to be slightly different then the ones I can find.

So I thawed a rat out, which normally takes about 30 mins, and went to feed my snake. Only find out she's shedding. I put it back in the freezer within minutes of it being thawed. So I'm wondering if that rat would be fine to feed maybe a week or two later when she's done shedding?

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Personally, I think it's fine to feed again. I've thawed and re-frozen to feed many times in the past and the snakes always ate it again and nothing was wrong.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Did you thaw it in warm water or use a hairdryer on it for warmth at any point? If so, I'd toss it. If not, it still may be gross to feed but probably safe if it actually
stayed cold. I'm not a fan of refreezing prey...they get mushy & spoiled...remember that freezing doesn't kill "germs", it only suspends their growth; when you thaw,
& especially when you warm it, those "germs" (like in the rodents gut) are having a party & multiplying, so you risk more spoilage than your snake's tummy can
handle. When re-offered, your snake may decide it smells off & refuse it, or he might eat it & be fine, or he might eat it & puke it up...no one can tell you for sure.
It's your call.

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It was with warm water, might just toss it then.
Good to know for future reference though.

Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Elitedog

It was with warm water, might just toss it then.
Good to know for future reference though.

Thanks.

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That's what I'd do...I know you hate to waste the food, but it's not worth making your snake sick IMO. You're welcome.

You have to remember that our snakes are eating raw whole creatures that "come with" plenty of germs; people often thaw their
own food (meat) at room temperature, but then they cook it & that kills the germs. Plus humans are only eating the meat, not
the whole creature, guts & all. That gets nasty pretty quick.

I've refrozen and thawed a few times...not my favorite...
'Mushy' is a good term...Nothing like holding a refrozen rat on a pair of forceps by the hind leg...only to watch in slow motion as the hip socket detaches, the skin tears, and the body plummets to the floor and explodes like a water balloon while you are left with a single rat leg dangling mockingly in the forceps...

I've refrozen refused prey items without issues back when I had one or two snakes. I don't have that issue anymore with 11 snakes. There's always a hungry snake waiting for food.