Kicked/ripped from inside??

[Lolo76]

I just fed Delilah her two adult mice, and the first one was no problem... she struck within a few seconds, and took it down pretty quickly. The second was almost exactly the same size, but much more hyper - I swear, this mouse was doing flips & leaping from the floor to the cage! After about 15 minutes Delilah finally grabbed it, and started to eat. I was watching to make sure everything went okay, when I suddenly noticed blood drops on her neck.

I could then see the mouse's foot (?) moving inside, right around the spot where the blood was. Did she get ripped and/or kicked by the little sucker?? I took a few pics so you can see, and I'm 90% sure it's not the mouse's blood (which was around her mouth). She seems fine now, but I just wanted to make sure this isn't anything serious, and that I gave her the right sized prey. Also, would this be a good reason to get her on F/T? Here are the pictures:

See the line of blood at the bottom of her neck?




Does this mouse look too big? I was giving her hoppers, before somebody here suggested large adults instead...

[PythonBreeder]

The rodent size seems fine. But I get those little blood spots also when I feed live. Anyone know why?

[Royal Morphz]

The mouse could have bitten the snake if the snake didn't strike the head and also the blood could be from the mouse.

[Lolo76]

Yikes... I think we're going to try F/T next week, since my other snakes don't care either way.

[mrshawt]

You can also try pre-killed, if your snakes like the fresh variety.
Boom shacka lacka!

[Oroborous]

You can also try pre-killed, if your snakes like the fresh variety.
Boom shacka lacka!

Very helpful info, I have been looking for a humane way to pre-kill my rats besides usinf Co2!

[mrshawt]

Very helpful info, I have been looking for a humane way to pre-kill my rats besides usinf Co2!

Well that does use CO2, just in a different method. Dry ice sublimes into gaseous CO2. Either way (this or using a CO2 container) will work, it's just a matter of which is easiest/most economical for one to get.

[blackcrystal22]

If your concerned take it to the vet.

Clean the area off with water and see if theres a cut visible. If there is clean it with some neosporin (non-painkiller) and that should help.

[mrshawt]

If your concerned take it to the vet.

Clean the area off with water and see if theres a cut visible. If there is clean it with some neosporin (non-painkiller) and that should help.

Does Neosporin cause scales to fall off? I can't remember. Something about water-based vs. oil-based antiseptics.

[Lolo76]

You can also try pre-killed, if your snakes like the fresh variety.
Boom shacka lacka!

Very cool! I might have to try that next week, since it's hard to find a store with pre-killed (or willing to kill it for you). Btw, I just offered my new BP a F/T large rat, and she didn't seem to know what to do... I left her alone with it about 5 minutes ago, so we'll see what happens. As for Delilah, I think she is fine, but that blood really scared me!