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.

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Originally Posted by kylearmbar

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

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I think more or less this is what happened which caused a spit up of the water that she drank 45 seconds prior which was then inhaled hence the brief foaming and drooling.

I've been checking on her like every half hour / 20 mins since. She's came out to bask a bit on the hot side and then made her way back to her hide box. her tongue flicks / jaw alignment / breathing and demeanor are all back to 100 percent.

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Originally Posted by MrLang

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.

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Yea MrLang......thats a great point. Good Call

They really are not bright snakes, it wouldn't shock me if she forgot to realign before going for the second rat. Glad she's ok, just keep an eye out for major swelling and get her to a vet right away if things regress.

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My goodness... did you wait to give the second rat?
:S
That is my only suggestion, if you didn't do that (couldn't tell by your initial post; although not a very insiteful suggestion on my part). But what a freak incident. How would anyone even begin to imagine THAT happening...
I really hope s/he's okay now. You as well :P

So glad she is alright


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yea when feeding live more then one prey personally I always wait until the 1st one half way down there body and they reline there jaw b4 I put a 2nd one in

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Originally Posted by steve_r34

yea when feeding live more then one prey personally I always wait until the 1st one half way down there body and they reline there jaw b4 I put a 2nd one in

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my general rule of thumb is i wait until they put their head back down to rest and wait a few minutes past then. Checked her out this morning & held her for a long while. No inflammation, tenderness, or protective / aggressive behavior. my little girl's just fine haha

Glad she's ok

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