Fed everybody (I have 6 boas/pythons currently) on 3/10. I normally leave them all alone for 2 days while they digest. On 3/11 I noticed the snake room had a funky smell but figured it was just poop and I was extremely busy and didn't worry. The morning of 3/12 I noticed my lesser male (Aether) was in the exact position as the day before.
Background on Aether: I got Aether from the Seattle reptile expo in October 2012. Wasn't given an exact age but I'm assuming very young as he was around 50g when I got him. He had trouble eating at first, very timid and didn't seem to want f/t. Eventually I got him on a schedule.
Anyway, So that morning I discovered he had passed. His tummy was bloated (after his meal there was a slight distention but was normal), actually it was pretty extremely bloated. I'm assuming this is from decomp brought on faster by the temps.
Oh husbandry, everything was perfectly normal. Room is kept at 88 degrees at the moment (problem with thermostat so switched to room heating temporarily), fresh water, was active with tongue flicks. No sign of illness prior.
When I picked him up a clearish bloody fluid poured from his mouth. Now I'm assuming this is also from decomp. He wasn't stiff except in the high neck area but I heard rigor can set in then dissipate?
Absolutely no clue what could have caused this. A parasite/virus/disease he came with? Something I've done wrong? I know sometimes animals just die, but it was mysterious.
About 3 months ago I had two tree frogs and two crested geckos pass (all eating the same cricket crop), which was very sad but I assumed was some disease associated with the crickets. My girlfriend thinks they might be related, but neither of these creatures come in contact with each other so I don't think so, unless its airborne but why so many months apart?
I had a mite problem about 2months ago but was cleared immediately with provent-a-mite, no problems there.
Any advice, tips, stories, suggestions, anything really, would be great. I'm sad to see this boy pass on and I want to prevent any future problems.
I'll post a picture of him from about 2 months ago ( I have more recent but not on the computer). I didn't take a picture of his body and its currently in the freezer (didn't plan on a necropsy).
Thank you
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