What should you do if BP vomits food that was too big?

What should you do if BP vomits food that was too big?
I only ask it because I’ve just upped my BPs food size to small rat. And it took him nearly an hour to down it.


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How much does your BP weigh? How much does the rat weigh? Sometimes they take a while to eat.

Only time the prey size should be increased is if you're sure they won't have a problem taking down an item of that size. If there are questions about it, don't push it.

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Originally Posted by Treeman

Only time the prey size should be increased is if you're sure they won't have a problem taking down an item of that size. If there are questions about it, don't push it.

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I didn’t force it down his throat. Just asking a question.


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Originally Posted by SquirmyPug

How much does your BP weigh? How much does the rat weigh? Sometimes they take a while to eat.

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BP: 530g
Rat: 130g


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Originally Posted by MuicyJelon

What should you do if BP vomits food that was too big?

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Clean the cage really good--the regurge smell will be brutal to both you and the snake.

Then I recommend not offering food for at least two weeks to allow the snake to recover.

Edit: And monitor the snake for signs of possible respiratory issues due to digestive fluid aspirating in the lungs.

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Clean the cage really good--the regurge smell will be brutal to both you and the snake.

Then I recommend not offering food for at least two weeks to allow the snake to recover.

Edit: And monitor the snake for signs of possible respiratory issues due to digestive fluid aspirating in the lungs.

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He hasn’t regurged. Just wanted to ask the question in case he did.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by MuicyJelon

BP: 530g
Rat: 130g


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130grams is a decent size medium rat and is about the largest prey that even a very big ball python will ever need in its life.

To put things in perspective: I have a 10yr old, 1600gram male ball python that eats 70-80gram small rats every 7-10 days and he still will go on hunger strikes every winter.

Get a 50-60gram rat and try that out. If it does regurge the medium you fed it, then give a few weeks off of food for its digestive tract to get back in order.


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Originally Posted by jmcrook

130grams is a decent size medium rat and is about the largest prey that even a very big ball python will ever need in its life.

To put things in perspective: I have a 10yr old, 1600gram male ball python that eats 70-80gram small rats every 7-10 days and he still will go on hunger strikes every winter.

Get a 50-60gram rat and try that out. If it does regurge the medium you fed it, then give a few weeks off of food for its digestive tract to get back in order.


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Bit annoyed because it was labelled small.


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If he doesn’t regurgitate it, decrease the size of food anyway?


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What you can't prevent or clean up is the incredibly strong stomach acid that coats the inside of its esophagus and mouth as the rat comes back out. The clean up of the cage is pale in comparison to what the snake might go through.

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Originally Posted by MuicyJelon

If he doesn’t regurgitate it, decrease the size of food anyway?


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Most definitely. If it’s indeed a male as you say then the biggest meal it will ever need for the rest of its life is a rat half the size of the one it just ate


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First there is a difference between regurgitation and spitting a rat right back out because it is to big.

So what should you do depends on what happened.

If you are dealing with a regurgitation, which means the prey was already getting digested and regurgitated 12/24/36 hours later, you need to do a complete clean up and wait 2 week before attempting to feed again/

If the rat was just spitted back out immediately there is nothing to do, feed on schedule next week, at his size your BP especially if it is a male does not need a rat bigger than 50/65 grams.

Bottom line you need to learn to properly feed your animal, because they can take large prey (obviously not in this case) does not mean they need a large prey.

Even my males that are over 1000 grams do not get anything larger than 85 grams rats, keep this in mind for the future, they are overfed in captivity and fatty liver issue is a reality, this is not a race feed appropriately.

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Originally Posted by MattEvans

What you can't prevent or clean up is the incredibly strong stomach acid that coats the inside of its esophagus and mouth as the rat comes back out. The clean up of the cage is pale in comparison to what the snake might go through.

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I don’t know if he will do it, he might not I just wanted to know what to do if it happened. Probably just best decreasing the size rat.


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Originally Posted by Deborah

First there is a difference between regurgitation and spitting a rat right back out because it is to big.

So what should you do depends on what happened.

If you are dealing with a regurgitation, which means the prey was already getting digested and regurgitated 12/24/36 hours later, you need to do a complete clean up and wait 2 week before attempting to feed again/

If the rat was just spitted back out immediately there is nothing to do, feed on schedule next week, at his size your BP especially if it is a male does not need a rat bigger than 50/65 grams.

Bottom line you need to learn to properly feed your animal, because they can take large prey (obviously not in this case) does not mean they need a large prey.

Even my males that are over 1000 grams do not get anything larger than 85 grams rats, keep this in mind for the future, they are overfed in captivity and fatty liver issue is a reality, this is not a race feed appropriately.

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Thanks.
It was labelled small so I’m not happy about that.
I’m gonna reduce the size. If he keeps it down should I keep with the feeding schedule or leave it for a week.


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Originally Posted by MuicyJelon

Thanks.
It was labelled small so I’m not happy about that.
I’m gonna reduce the size. If he keeps it down should I keep with the feeding schedule or leave it for a week.


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My advice to new keepers when they are not conformable or used to eyeball prey size is to get a scale and weight the feeder before feeding.

It's takes time but after a while you can just look at a rat and guess it's size and whether or not it is a good match for your snake. :gj:

He will most likely be just fine with it. But if it were me I'd have no problem skipping a feed and waiting a week or more until my supplier has the right size rodents. I'd wait 2 weeks. A bigger rat is more fur and bigger bones to digest.

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Originally Posted by MuicyJelon

Thanks.
It was labelled small so I’m not happy about that.
I’m gonna reduce the size. If he keeps it down should I keep with the feeding schedule or leave it for a week.


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I would allow an extra week at least, for sure, before feeding again. He might just go into a shed cycle after this anyway. Wouldn't surprise me a bit...

Regurges are best avoided...waste of food and your $, but really hard on the snake, not to mention it smells like the "underworld", lol. Always better to error on the
smaller side for prey than to risk a regurge...& yes, I get that it was labeled "small", not blaming, just suggesting.

BTW, to answer your original question, noseplugs would be handy...:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by MuicyJelon

I didn’t force it down his throat. Just asking a question.


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And I never said you did. All my advice came from the information given in the original post. Just saying that there's no need to try to push any animal towards the next size up in prey.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I would allow an extra week at least, for sure, before feeding again. He might just go into a shed cycle after this anyway. Wouldn't surprise me a bit...

Regurges are best avoided...waste of food and your $, but really hard on the snake, not to mention it smells like the "underworld", lol. Always better to error on the
smaller side for prey than to risk a regurge...& yes, I get that it was labeled "small", not blaming, just suggesting.

BTW, to answer your original question, noseplugs would be handy...:rolleyes:

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He just finished a shed on Saturday.


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Yeah, that size rat is definitely too big for your guy.

My 1100 gram male gets an 80-90 gram rat every 10-14 days and is in great shape and still growing at a steady rate.

I would give him a goid two weeks before offering again. And definitely downsize. At that weight I'd be feeding a 50-60 gram rat weekly.

Make extra certain you don't have any heat issues while he is digesting - no need ( and a definite reason not to ) stress him but if your temps drop it impacts on the digestion process. Just to make you aware. :)

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Originally Posted by dr del

Make extra certain you don't have any heat issues while he is digesting - no need ( and a definite reason not to ) stress him but if your temps drop it impacts on the digestion process. Just to make you aware. :)

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Lately he’s been on the cold side so I’ve increased the temperature a bit from the rhp and I’m using a oil heater.


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Good lord! Ok, no handling for at least ten days, and no feeding again for four weeks. Hopefully the rat will stay down.

And yes you need to start weighing feeders if your supplier can't tell the difference between a small and medium rat.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Good lord! Ok, no handling for at least ten days, and no feeding again for four weeks. Hopefully the rat will stay down.

And yes you need to start weighing feeders if your supplier can't tell the difference between a small and medium rat.

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No feed for four weeks


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He went back in his hide after he ate it, now he’s just ‘basking’ in the warm end which usually does after a feed.


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If you are buying your feeders in bulk, and continue to have a problem with your supplier giving you various sizes, one suggestion could be to weigh every rat from the bunch and separate them into smaller groups of like-sized rats.

Don't go by what the label says... a visual is always best judgement to see if you think the meal is too big. I guess I'm picky to the extreme. I get f/t from local store and hand pick from the rat pups they have. Some are too big for my BP.

Last few things to ask, IF he does it would it be safe to say it’d be within 48 hours of eating?
And, because I’ve fed him this should I wait longer before feeding him next time?
Also is there a chance that he’d have gotten any respiratory issues?



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Quote:

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Originally Posted by MuicyJelon

Last few things to ask, IF he does it would it be safe to say it’d be within 48 hours of eating?

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No, I've seen regurges a week later. The problem is that since the prey item is so large it takes much longer to digest so it takes a while before you know you are 'safe'.

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And, because I’ve fed him this should I wait longer before feeding him next time?

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I would wait until he has pooped before considering it...I would also make sure he has not triggered another shed cycle due to the large meal--if so, you are waiting again for him to finish.

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Also is there a chance that he’d have gotten any respiratory issues?

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If he regurgitates a partially digested item and aspirates digestive juices/food into his lung--then yes it is a definite probability. You won't know for certain until you are well past the date of the regurgitation.

Keep enough snakes for long enough and you are bound to see a regurgitation every now and then. I've never had any issues with my ball python colony getting secondary infections.

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

No, I've seen regurges a week later. The problem is that since the prey item is so large it takes much longer to digest so it takes a while before you know you are 'safe'.
I would wait until he has pooped before considering it...I would also make sure he has not triggered another shed cycle due to the large meal--if so, you are waiting again for him to finish.
If he regurgitates a partially digested item and aspirates digestive juices/food into his lung--then yes it is a definite probability. You won't know for certain until you are well past the date of the regurgitation.

Keep enough snakes for long enough and you are bound to see a regurgitation every now and then. I've never had any issues with my ball python colony getting secondary infections.

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He’s just finished shedding on Saturday. Is it even possible for them to finish one then go straight into another?

Hopefully none of this happens. As I’ve said I just wanted to know about it in case it did.




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It's not only feeding that should wait (for his defecation) but also any handling. As already answered, you aren't safe from a regurge in any specific length of
time...gee, wouldn't that be convenient? It's unlikely that he'll go right into another shed so quickly but he could, & it won't really be that "fast" if it takes him
4 weeks before he's ready for more food. You'll just have to wait & see...this meal counts as more than one.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

It's not only feeding that should wait (for his defecation) but also any handling. As already answered, you aren't safe from a regurge in any specific length of
time...gee, wouldn't that be convenient? It's unlikely that he'll go right into another shed so quickly but he could, & it won't really be that "fast" if it takes him
4 weeks before he's ready for more food. You'll just have to wait & see...this meal counts as more than one.

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Don’t know what you mean wait for him to poo.
Do you mean because it’s bigger (obviously) it’ll take longer to break down and longer wait for him to defecate?

When he’s defecated I’d assume he’s not gonna regurge after that, am I right in saying that?

Panicking in case he does do it.


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Some of you’s said wait till he’s had a poo. What do you mean?


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Originally Posted by MuicyJelon

Some of you’s said wait till he’s had a poo. What do you mean?


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Wait until it poops before feeding again after such a big meal


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I know some of you’s said don’t handle him for about 10 days. It’s been a week and I’m wanting to clean the viv out, surely he’ll be alright getting handled an put into a RUB. He hasn’t spewed up, hasn’t pooed but has had a big wizz (urate).


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by MuicyJelon

I know some of you’s said don’t handle him for about 10 days. It’s been a week and I’m wanting to clean the viv out, surely he’ll be alright getting handled an put into a RUB. He hasn’t spewed up, hasn’t pooed but has had a big wizz (urate).


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Yes, you can move him. I just wouldn't handle for an extended handling session.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Yes, you can move him. I just wouldn't handle for an extended handling session.

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Apart handling whilst moving him for cleaning, to be safe how long do you reckon till I should wait to get him out for longer?


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by MuicyJelon

Apart handling whilst moving him for cleaning, to be safe how long do you reckon till I should wait to get him out for longer?


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At this point, I'd be highly surprised to see a regurge or vomit. I feel very confident you're in the clear at this point. Buuuuut, I personally would play it safe and give it another few days. If I were able to see the animals mannerisms and such I might say you're fine now, but my best judgement says a few more days won't hurt.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

At this point, I'd be highly surprised to see a regurge or vomit. I feel very confident you're in the clear at this point. Buuuuut, I personally would play it safe and give it another few days. If I were able to see the animals mannerisms and such I might say you're fine now, but my best judgement says a few more days won't hurt.

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Thanks. Only thing I’ve noticed is he wants more food (but smaller) if that’s what you mean by mannerisms.


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Got him for a quick check he’s looking good. I know he’s just ate massive rat but I haven’t really noticed these on the ends of his mouth, I’ve seen little stretch marks in the past but they seem a bit bigger now. Looks like the end of his mouth’s reddish.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...18f3cb5238.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c744d28433.jpg
I don’t know if this is ‘normal’ or not considering he’s had a bigger rat could he have slightly split the ends of the mouth.

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No...I think you're looking at his heat sensing pits at the back corner of his mouth. He looks fine to me.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

No...I think you're looking at his heat sensing pits at the back corner of his mouth. He looks fine to me.

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Thanks. I can’t help but get a bit paranoid of the littlest of things.
He’s been doing alright since he’s had it, still roaming about at night an stuff, being curious plotting his escape :), comes halfway out the hide an basks on the log in front of it. Normal behaviour.
And wanting more food, the greedy hole.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by MuicyJelon

Thanks. I can’t help but get a bit paranoid of the littlest of things.
He’s been doing alright since he’s had it, still roaming about at night an stuff, being curious plotting his escape :), comes halfway out the hide an basks on the log in front of it.
And wanting more food, the greedy hole.


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Well, that's better than not caring what happens to him, but it's just rougher on you. I think we've all fed a meal that we regretted right after because it was bigger
than we should have fed; most snakes handle it ok, & I'm glad yours did too. Snakes are "programmed" to not miss meals...in the wild, there's no guarantee. It's up
to us to be the "bad guys" with our captive pets, so they don't over-eat.

He’s had a big dump, I think he’ll be alright now. Took it out & wiped that part of the viv an plonked him back in.
:)

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Originally Posted by MuicyJelon

He’s had a big dump, I think he’ll be alright now. Took it out & wiped that part of the viv an plonked him back in.
:)

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Yup, he's good to go, er, out of hurling danger. ;)