Live or frozen

Freezing doesn't kill parasites in the rat, plus that the parasites on rats are not transmissable to reptiles.

Anyway.. as long as the snake eats, it's all good, right?

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Freezing doesn't kill parasites in the rat, plus that the parasites on rats are not transmissable to reptiles.

Anyway.. as long as the snake eats, it's all good, right?

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Not trying to start a debate, just wondering where one could find information/studies proving freezing does or does not kill parasites in the prey??(ie: worms)

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Originally Posted by amercnwmn

Not trying to start a debate, just wondering where one could find information/studies proving freezing does or does not kill parasites in the prey??(ie: worms)

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Susan Barnard and Steve Upton disucss this topic at lenght in their book series "A Veterniary Guide to the Parasites of Reptiles" ... I am sure that there are plenty of other sources as well.

-adam

I was told by several more knowledgeable people on here whom I trust.. I don't have any direct source though.

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Susan Barnard and Steve Upton disucss this topic at lenght in their book series "A Veterniary Guide to the Parasites of Reptiles" ... I am sure that there are plenty of other sources as well.

-adam

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Thanks!! I've been wondering about the sources for both basis of thought :)

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Freezing doesn't kill parasites in the rat, plus that the parasites on rats are not transmissable to reptiles.

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/nod...the fecal I just got back on Carmen showed clean with exception of mouth pin worms, which my vet told me were species specific, coming from the feeder animal, which pass harmlessly through the snake.

We currently feed live, although I think we're gonna make an euthanasia machine (gas chamber) to either kill or stun the feeders, at least Cleo's rats, because they are sure feisty and I don't want the kids to get hurt...so more for my peace of mind.

Oh my I seem to have got that wrong then!! I know the freezing process does something good (I thought it was to kill off parasites inside the rodents) if not, what is it it does? I need to learn ;)

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Originally Posted by Razaiel

Oh my I seem to have got that wrong then!! I know the freezing process does something good (I thought it was to kill off parasites inside the rodents) if not, what is it it does? I need to learn ;)

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1. Makes them keep longer.
2. Less smelly than live ones.
3. Freaks out your mum when she opens the freezer. =)

I just had to look up where I'd heard this mis-information (it stuck in my brain) - it was probably from another forum "ahem" and even on Petco websites!! not that I go to Petco we don't have them in the UK. It seems to be a very prevalent belief going around QUOTE "Feeding frozen/thawed prey eliminates this threat because the freezing process kills bacteria and parasites." END QUOTE Please note it's not me saying that - I really don't know ;)

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Originally Posted by cassandra

1. Makes them keep longer.
2. Less smelly than live ones.
3. Freaks out your mum when she opens the freezer. =)

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The last one isn't applicable to me - I AM the mom!!

Well the other very little known side benefit of feeding f/t is that is really slows down the middle of the night, let's raid the freezer for edibles done by one's teenage son and his cronies during an all night Xbox marathon.

hehehehehehe :halohorn: