WTF just happened?

So I fed my snake two rat pups tonight (because they didn't have anything large enough at the store). She killed the first one, and gobbled it up no problem. When she struck the second one it wasn't a clean strike or constriction, and she let it go when it was about 75% out of its misery to re-constrict and finish the job, after holding the 2nd constriction she let go pretty quickly, turned upside down in what seemed to be some pretty aggressive pain, and i noticed the front part of her bottom jaw almost looked to be broken and she was heavily labored in breathing. She then rested her head down and looked like she only had a few minutes of life in her (and even foamed at the mouth a bit). I ran into the kitchen and grabbed two thin bbq skewers to try to open her mouth up with and maybe re-align whatever the hell was going on (yes i know thats a terrible idea, but i don't have a husbandry kit, and i freaked out), and she just jumped with pain when i touched her.

Next step i called the vet up right away....and in the process of doing that i left her alone for maybe 5 minutes to do so while the vet did not pick up the phone.

When i returned to check up on her i noticed she fixed her mouth, righted her self, was breathing fine and in fact is gobbling the 2nd rat as we speak as if nothing had happened whatsoever.

Can anyone tell me what the hell just happened here?

- Skoots

I forgot to mention, after the swallowed the first rat, she drank a bit of water. the only thing that i can think is that with all the action of the 2nd rat, she might have spit up some water and breathed it in basically chocking herself for a few moments.

Make sense to anyone?

Maybe she caught a cramp in her jaw? Lol I havent heard of anything like that ever happening glad shes ok

Maybe. when she was flailing around there was a good 20 second period when she kept her mouth wide open. she's all comfy in her hide box now haha.

That is really weird. I'm sorry, but I have not the slightest clue what's going on.

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Originally Posted by SKOOT3R

So I fed my snake two rat pups tonight (because they didn't have anything large enough at the store). She killed the first one, and gobbled it up no problem. When she struck the second one it wasn't a clean strike or constriction, and she let it go when it was about 75% out of its misery to re-constrict and finish the job, after holding the 2nd constriction she let go pretty quickly, turned upside down in what seemed to be some pretty aggressive pain, and i noticed the front part of her bottom jaw almost looked to be broken and she was heavily labored in breathing. She then rested her head down and looked like she only had a few minutes of life in her (and even foamed at the mouth a bit). I ran into the kitchen and grabbed two thin bbq skewers to try to open her mouth up with and maybe re-align whatever the hell was going on (yes i know thats a terrible idea, but i don't have a husbandry kit, and i freaked out), and she just jumped with pain when i touched her.

Next step i called the vet up right away....and in the process of doing that i left her alone for maybe 5 minutes to do so while the vet did not pick up the phone.

When i returned to check up on her i noticed she fixed her mouth, righted her self, was breathing fine and in fact is gobbling the 2nd rat as we speak as if nothing had happened whatsoever.

Can anyone tell me what the hell just happened here?

- Skoots

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OMG! D: I can only imagine how frightened you were for her! I'm very glad she turned out to be okay!!

Yea she's totally fine. haha thanks for the support guys and gals. Super weird

Very strange. I would definitely keep a close watch on her for the next day or so. Just to make sure she doesn't regurgitate. Never seen or heard of anything like that before.

My only guess is that maybe her jaw didn't open or moved incorrectly or something and scared her. Kinda like when you move your neck and if it doeent move right it locks up for a second

Sounds like she struck the second while her jaw was still unhinged from the first rat. Just keep an eye for swelling it sounds fine.