Russian Rat Regurgitated

He is so very cute [emoji4][emoji4]

Have you checked your ambient temp? He seems to seek out a warm spot in the light.

But since they like to be right out in the open anyway...that may not mean anything. They don't really like it real warm, but make sure the ambient isn't to low (or high...LOL).

I'm sure you have done all that already, but I'm just trying to think of things...

They may still shed even if there isn't weight gain. My big male BP shed during his fast...So who knows [emoji6]

I think he will be fine. Perhaps he is confused and trying to hibernate? Lol...

As long as he is eating something and keeping it down, you don't need to worry over much..


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Ambient had gotten down to 68° with the weather changes, but when all of his food issues started i raised them and they have been fluctuating between 70° and 75°. I raised his warm hide by a couple of degrees too, to 82°-84°.

I wonder if the short cold snap triggered his "brumation" ? I've heard some go off feed around the fall...

Also, they like to "bask" during their shed cycle..

This is a cool article

http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Snak...an-Rat-Snakes/

Yes, great article!! It's very possible. We've had an unusually cold winter for central TX, and it snuck up on us rather rapidly. I've gotten conflicting advice on brumating him. I think I will try it once he's older, especially if he goes off food again, but I'm just not sure about doing it at his age. Plus I don't have a cooler that I can set to constant temp now.

But I've read it can be good for them and they generally come out of it nice and hungry. So next winter I'm going to look into it.

I would love it if he's getting ready to shed! He's only done it once since I've had him. I'll keep my eye on him.

I never brumated mine and they never went off of feed, but our house never fluctuated much. If anything it would get to warm, esp. that one time our AC broke down..

But it could be that this short cold snap triggered something in his body and that is why he is a bit reluctant to eat. I would continue feeding him, but not worry about him not being as excited about it. If the temps stay stable, he may get excited about food soon again.

He sure is a cutie, though :)

I just found found him stiff and spread out on his cage floor. I think he is gone. I am gutted and in disbelief. We are holding him but no signs of life. Why did this happen.

I'm so sorry for your loss and that you had to go through such a heart breaking experience :( You did absolutely everything you could!

Do you think it's possible you can take him to the vet to see if they can do a necropsy? Maybe they can figure out what happened?

What???

Omg...nooooo...
What in the world...

It's not your fault, whatever happens, though. For some reason he got sick back then, and they don't all recover...

I'm sad for you...[emoji25]


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I am desperate for answers. I have to know if I did something to cause this. Should I freeze him? What is the best way to preserve him until I can get him to the vet for a necropsy? I will call first thing in the morning.

We are so completely devastated.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zina10

What???

Omg...nooooo...
What in the world...

It's not your fault, whatever happens, though. For some reason he got sick back then, and they don't all recover...

I'm sad for you...[emoji25]


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I just don't understand - I am consumed with guilt. I really tried everything I could think of to make him better. We are sobbing and heartbroken. This is such a resilient species, I don't know what I did wrong.