Lesson for All *GRAPHIC*

Before you scroll down and view the picture please read my story first. Now before I begin explaining the horror that has happened to me, let me tell you how I feed my snakes. I pick up the rats usually in the evenings, which means the snakes are in hunt mode, I go home and just drop them in. All of my snakes are great eaters, if they haven't struck in the first 5 minutes it's because they don't want to eat. So when I feed I hang around until everyone has swallowed their food and move w.e has been eaten to a hold bin for a few days and try again.

Well last night was feeding day, I went out grabbed my feeders, came home and placed the rats in the snake tub. Everyone except my male Pastel Lesser & Mocha had eaten. I figured he didn't eat because he's in breeding mode and I figured she didn't eat because I think she's gravid. So I grabbed her rat in gave it to one of my normals. I couldn't do the same for him because my only other snake thaat could eat a rat that large was still swallowing her current prey. So I waited...

Then all of a sudden an emergency came up where I had to rush over to my grandmother (she lives in the same house). About 2 hours later, everything was said and done and I go back to my room. I lay down in bed and hear some noise coming from the rack. I jump out of bed, turn the lights on and see a rat in the corner of the Pastel Lesser's tub still alive. So I went to get him out and place him another tub, when I saw the horror! In just a few short hours, he chewed my Pastel Lesser like if he hadn't eaten in days and was desperate for food. You have no idea how sick to my stomach I got when I saw the damage. Mind you this was just in a couple of hours, I can't imagine what would have happened if I had let him stay for a few more hours.

I NEVER leave rats in my tubs with the snakes, NEVER! I've seen what can be done, but unfortunately an emergency popped up and this one rat slipped my mind. As of now, I cleaned out his tub, put him on paper towel and showered him with hydrogen peroxide. I'm letting it dry so I can apply an ointment like Neosporin on it. I don't know what to do. The tip of his tail is so chewed up that I don't know if it will stick back together or if he will just end up losing it.

First things first, I have to make sure all the wounds scab so the wounds close. From there I'll just continue treating him until the scabs are gone and the wounds are closed. This puts a huge stop in my breeding plans as he is my only male breeder, but his health comes first. Poor little guy...

For those of you who feed live, this is a perfect example as to why you should monitor feeding at all costs. This happened in just a few hours, imagine what could have happened if I would have left him over night or a full day.

http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/a...5/Snakes/2.jpg

I had a similar thing happen a long time ago with my normal male. The rat was in for only 30min-1hour and chewed the tip of his tail off. Much like yourself something came up and I got pulled away and came back to something so terrible. I wonder sometimes why the snakes dont attack/kill the rat just out of defense when these things happen.


I am very sorry to hear keep us updated on how the healing goes.

Oh my GOD I want to cry, I can't imagine how you feel right now :tears:

Thank you for posting this, although it was a HUGE mistake to leave a live rat in there with the snake, a lot of people can learn from this. I'm so sorry this happened. Figures the ONE time you screw something up it goes horribly wrong, it works that way with everything :tears:

I wish him a speedy recovery, keep those wounds cleaned. I'd be on high alert for infection....
:please:

Best of wishes to you and your snake. Keep us updated on how he progresses in his health. Poor little guy :(

I can't imagine how terrible you must feel. It's a perfect example of what could happen to even the most conscientious and careful owner. It's upsetting, but you shouldn't be too hard on yourself for tending to a human emergency.

I've never had an injury like that occur, so I can't comment on what you should do. If it were me, I'd take him right to the vet. Better safe than sorry.

Good luck and keep us posted.

DON'T use Neo, or Peroxide for extended periods of time, what you need to get is betadine

I'm sorry that this happened to you.

A helpful tip for the future and safest method of feeding live: small and frequent. Not large and less often.
Crawlers and small rats are harmless. Their claws aren't even sharp and long enough to scrape anything.

Also, untamed feeders are scared. Frightened animals have to potential to be dangerous.



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Originally Posted by that_dc5

Before you scroll down and view the picture please read my story first. Now before I begin explaining the horror that has happened to me, let me tell you how I feed my snakes. I pick up the rats usually in the evenings, which means the snakes are in hunt mode, I go home and just drop them in. All of my snakes are great eaters, if they haven't struck in the first 5 minutes it's because they don't want to eat. So when I feed I hang around until everyone has swallowed their food and move w.e has been eaten to a hold bin for a few days and try again.

Well last night was feeding day, I went out grabbed my feeders, came home and placed the rats in the snake tub. Everyone except my male Pastel Lesser & Mocha had eaten. I figured he didn't eat because he's in breeding mode and I figured she didn't eat because I think she's gravid. So I grabbed her rat in gave it to one of my normals. I couldn't do the same for him because my only other snake thaat could eat a rat that large was still swallowing her current prey. So I waited...

Then all of a sudden an emergency came up where I had to rush over to my grandmother (she lives in the same house). About 2 hours later, everything was said and done and I go back to my room. I lay down in bed and hear some noise coming from the rack. I jump out of bed, turn the lights on and see a rat in the corner of the Pastel Lesser's tub still alive. So I went to get him out and place him another tub, when I saw the horror! In just a few short hours, he chewed my Pastel Lesser like if he hadn't eaten in days and was desperate for food. You have no idea how sick to my stomach I got when I saw the damage. Mind you this was just in a couple of hours, I can't imagine what would have happened if I had let him stay for a few more hours.

I NEVER leave rats in my tubs with the snakes, NEVER! I've seen what can be done, but unfortunately an emergency popped up and this one rat slipped my mind. As of now, I cleaned out his tub, put him on paper towel and showered him with hydrogen peroxide. I'm letting it dry so I can apply an ointment like Neosporin on it. I don't know what to do. The tip of his tail is so chewed up that I don't know if it will stick back together or if he will just end up losing it.

First things first, I have to make sure all the wounds scab so the wounds close. From there I'll just continue treating him until the scabs are gone and the wounds are closed. This puts a huge stop in my breeding plans as he is my only male breeder, but his health comes first. Poor little guy...

For those of you who feed live, this is a perfect example as to why you should monitor feeding at all costs. This happened in just a few hours, imagine what could have happened if I would have left him over night or a full day.

http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/a...5/Snakes/2.jpg

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I am so sorry that this has happened. You may not want to use any more hydrogen peroxide, it effects the tissues ability to heal. You would do better using betadine. You can pick that up at any pharmacy. I hope your snake gets better quickly.

That's terrible, I'm sorry that happened, but it was an accident so don't let people start attacking you for feeding live. You know and do moniter them usually from what you've said. Hey, I'd do anything to help my grandmother in an emergency. Hope he heals up fast. Again sorry this happened.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

DON'T use Neo, or Peroxide for extended periods of time, what you need to get is betadine

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You beat me to it again! LOL! Very good advice.

That sucks. Rats can be vicious lil bastards. Keep in mind they are a scavenger and will eat anything. I never leave rats in. When i feed out i start at one tub. Go down the line and go ti the next rack and by the time i get the the third rack i go back to the first and start checking. Anything that hasnt eatin i pull the rat.

Omg I'm real sorry, you must feel horrible. If this isn't a great example of why people should try everything to get their animals on f/t I don't know what is. It's insane that snakes allow this to happen its like the rat just went down the entire length of the snake eating away. Again sorry about this, I'm sure you a responsible owner but that's life things happen.
Ps I hope that rat isn't still alive

I will start using betadine. How frequent should I use it? Also should I use anything else? Such as an ointment?

Wow... Im sorry I hope for a speedy recovery

Also should I spray his tub with water to keep humidity up?

I'm also stuck on what to do with his tail. I don't know if I should bandage it or let it off.

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Originally Posted by that_dc5

I will start using betadine. How frequent should I use it? Also should I use anything else? Such as an ointment?

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I would do it twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening. But I'm sure other more experienced members will suggest something better. My time frame is based on open wounds and post- op recovery plans that I've used on other animals. You can probably decrease it to once a day or once every other day once there is significant improvement.

Ointment is only good in light moderation. Otherwise, its not good to use long term because it will soften the scales.


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Hi,

Ask a vet about the tail - he will need to see what tissue is still attatching it etc to be able to judge.

He will also be able to give you anti-bios to help prevent infection setting in.


dr del

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Originally Posted by that_dc5

I will start using betadine. How frequent should I use it? Also should I use anything else? Such as an ointment?

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no ointments as anything oil based can actually do more damage than good.

I would put him on paper towel substrate and keep his tub hospital clean (chlorhixidine or F10 work great for this and are safer than diluted bleach)

Soak him daily (or twice daily) in a betadine bath (water temperature in the mid 80's)

as long as you keep the wounds clean and infection away they should heal on their own

Quote:

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Originally Posted by that_dc5

Also should I spray his tub with water to keep humidity up?

I'm also stuck on what to do with his tail. I don't know if I should bandage it or let it off.

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I would keep humidity on the low side. High humidity may lead to infection due to bacterial growth and such.

And I agree with Dr. Del. Converse with a vet.


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That looks horrible and very painful. I hope he gets better soon. This reinforces my recent decision to only feed f/t or freshly killed rodents.

Damn bro.... Best of luck with to your lesser. Keep us posted on how they heal up. If you treat it, will there be any scars, and if there are, can he eventually just shed off the scars? Or are they perm?

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Originally Posted by hurricaNe

Damn bro.... Best of luck with to your lesser. Keep us posted on how they heal up. If you treat it, will there be any scars, and if there are, can he eventually just shed off the scars? Or are they perm?

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it depends, if they do go away, it will likely take a few sheds at least

I think they will be permanent. I have a super pastel rescue that has a horrible scar on his back from escaping his previous owner's enclosure. By the looks if it, its nothing compared to this pastel lesser.

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I will make sure to keep everyone posted. I will head out to get some betadine in a few. By the looks of it, even though a Vet will know, the tip of his tail looks unfixable. He's better off having the few muscle still attached, amputated. It's barely hanging on. But we shall see.

I feed live, but I only feed one snake at a time so that I can be there every second until the animal is completely dead and they start swallowing for just this reason. I've had to intervene a few times over the years. Occasionally if I drop a rat in and the snake doesn't go for it right away, but I notice the rat sniffing around and touching the snake, I recognize that they are hungry and rather than risk any damage, I take the rat out and put it in my temporary rat cage for a couple days with plenty of food and water. The next time I drop them in, they usually aren't so interested in jumping on the snake and the snake in turn is more interested in them because the snake is no longer being made uncomfortable by it jumping all over them.


I'm so sorry this happened to your snakey. :( A very good lesson for everyone who feeds live though. I wish him a speedy and full recovery.

That is so scary!

I always try to see a positive side in bad situations. In this case at least your little one is still with you, it could have been much worse.

I wish him a speedy recovery!

I would take him to the vet no matter what.

So sorry this happened! I wish your boy a speedy recovery. This situation could have happened to any of us that feed live or even just have one picky eater that only eats live.

I know it's upsetting, but you are taking responsibility and getting him to a vet.

Best of Luck

To all of you who feed live, I am not trying to deter you from it but keep a close eye on all your snakes when feeding live. I am the type of person that feeds one snake at a time and has something in my hand to separate the rats mouth should the snake wrap in a place where the rat can move his mouth freely. But this one time, I slipped up and paid no attention and look what happened.

UGH.. this makes me sick. I do feel live as well and Im pretty good at paying attention to who eats and doesnt eat.

I usually feed on Thursday evenings. Well Saturday morning is my time in the snake room and I open a drawer and whats in there.. A LIVE adult rat. OMG.. My stomach was in knots. Luckily no bite marks on her. BUT i knew i dodged a bullet.

I hope your snake gets better.

Richie

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Originally Posted by ScubaDiver007

UGH.. this makes me sick. I do feel live as well and Im pretty good at paying attention to who eats and doesnt eat.

I usually feed on Thursday evenings. Well Saturday morning is my time in the snake room and I open a drawer and whats in there.. A LIVE adult rat. OMG.. My stomach was in knots. Luckily no bite marks on her. BUT i knew i dodged a bullet.

I hope your snake gets better.

Richie

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Learn from my mistake. I am far from careless when it comes to my snakes. I love them, they are my prized possesions. I'd sell everything I have, even my car before I sold off my collection and I've less than 10 snakes. So believe me when I say I am very good with collection. Except this one time I was negligent and it bit me in the ass.

I cannot stress how important it is to keep a close on your snakes when feeding live. This is something no keeper should have to go through, much much MUCH less the poor snake. I cannot stop opening the tub to check out his wounds. I'm still in schock.

Wow really sorry to read this. It looks bad but not so bad that he wont be able to heal from it. Lesson learned here. I wish your snake a speedy recovery. Please dont let this get you down bc as keepers we ALL make mistakes here and there. We all know how much you obviously care for your snakes...
Id like to make the point that this shouldnt deter anyone from feeding live, they should just learn the precautions you must take when doing it. Watching the feeding until the rat is completely dead is very important. There are also dangers feeding frozen thawed rodents so either way you must know what youre doing to try and avoid mistakes like this.

I'm very sorry you are having to go through this situation. This is not the first time I've seen a situation like this on BP.net...a couple were much worse. I wish a speedy recovery to your snake.

This is another example of one of the many reasons why I feed F/T.

im really sorry you and your boy had to go through this, its terrible.

on the bright side, it couldve ended up like this guy (not my snake, pic is from google)
http://i972.photobucket.com/albums/a...feed-live1.jpg

like LGray said, alot of people can learn from this, no one in particular, but i have met people (no one here fortunatly) that will absolutly refuse to believe in something like this. they always say something like, "its a snake, if the rat bites it he'll kill it".

i would get some betadine in the meantime, and schedule a vet visit asap since with that many wounds, chances for infection are high.

best of luck to the both of you and keep us updated on how this goes

Yep, I just rescued a RTB that looked a little worse than that. Sucks, keep it clean keep the snake healthy. Vet told me Neosporin and a few good shed and he'd be good as new

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Originally Posted by Lferg

Yep, I just rescued a RTB that looked a little worse than that. Sucks, keep it clean keep the snake healthy. Vet told me Neosporin and a few good shed and he'd be good as new

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I will say it again, Neo does more harm than good, it turns the scales to mush

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Originally Posted by Lferg

Yep, I just rescued a RTB that looked a little worse than that. Sucks, keep it clean keep the snake healthy. Vet told me Neosporin and a few good shed and he'd be good as new

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Sir or Madame,

While I applaud your rescue work, I must inform you that your Vet is either very uninformed about snakes, or is ignorant, or both. We have long known that while Neosporin will work in a pinch, it can actually cause damage if used long term. Betadine solution is really the best thing for a situation like this.

Also, a wound that goes down to and exposes muscle is not going to be good as new in a few sheds, or after 1000 sheds. That scar will continue to be there for the life of the animal.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lferg

Yep, I just rescued a RTB that looked a little worse than that. Sucks, keep it clean keep the snake healthy. Vet told me Neosporin and a few good shed and he'd be good as new

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I would seek out a new vet if i were you...

That sucks, I hope heals ok. I only have one that eats live, and I am so paranoid about those little rat buggers, that I hover with the tongs until he has killed it. Also, as others have said, betadine, not neo. Good luck with your guy.

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Originally Posted by that_dc5

I'm still in schock.

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So sorry you had to go through this, I would be still in shock too. I feed two of my hatchlings live and it really scares me even when the rat struggles a little or tries to scratch or bite, so I cant even imagine how you feel. Best of luck for a speedy recovery!

That is just awful. I know folks have their reasons for feeding live; just gotta be really careful. Looks like you have gotten a lot of good advice. Please keep us posted on the progress.

Poor baby... I hope he recovers in a timely manner.

I've dropped food and left the room for a few minutes before, but... never, ever again. If it's anything at all know your post and experience impacted me, and saved me a could-have-been disaster.

Wow, that looks horrible. I wonder why the rat kept going along the spine like that, trying to kill him? :/ Hope he makes a speedy recovery!

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Originally Posted by Otolith

Wow, that looks horrible. I wonder why the rat kept going along the spine like that, trying to kill him? :/ Hope he makes a speedy recovery!

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Probably just hungry

I hit "Thanks you" for the post, for being candid enough to admit that you had a unfortunate feeding accident. Sometimes things happen, and yes, feeding frozen thawed would have meant it wouldn't have happened, but again... sometimes things happen.

I do the same. I monitor feeding and check to make sure everyone has eaten. About once a year, I go back in the morning checking on snakes and find a sneaky rat that somehow hid from me in a corner the night before, an thus was still alive in the tub with my snake! Thus far I have been extremely lucky in that I haven't had any injury to the snakes, but I'm aware it COULD happen. It always makes me resolve to double check closer, and most of the time now I don't even close a tub before I see the snake strike and bind.

Many people would start saying "Oh, see that's because you feed live..." or otherwise point blame as if they've never had any sort of issue... but then how many "My snake got out!!" posts have we seen? How many "I fed too big and he threw it up!?" or other ACCIDENTS that were just happenstance and not a keeper who was careless or lazy... just unlucky.

I hope your guy heals super fast. They are very resilient creatures, and with some good care, I'm sure he'll heal up.

Oh wow. That is really awful. Thank you so much for sucking up pride and posting this, so many people can learn from it. It is really important for people to see the effects that their live feeders can have on their snakes without monitoring.
Keep us posted on the progress!

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Probably just hungry

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Ew. Somehow that is more disgusting lol. If it were a survival thing then at least somewhat defensible. Bleh rats are foul.

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Originally Posted by Otolith

Bleh rats are foul.

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I find their disposition much more agreeable after they have been frozen.

Oh man I'm so sorry. That does not look fun. I recommend doing the betadine washes. Keep him extra extra clean. As well as getting silverdine cream- I'm totally sure that I'm not spelling it right I always keep some in hand but I never can spel it right. Don't use neo. The cream will work much better. And not premote infection or scale flaking. Please update us with what the vet says.
Petstore rats are usually underfed and stressed making this situation much more likely. I'm so sorry you had to do through this. Not fun.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

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Originally Posted by Slim

I find their disposition much more agreeable after they have been frozen.

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Haha. Very true. No mess no fuss.