Thanks to those who continue to send good thoughts and wishes, we're trying to keep a positive outlook.

As for this rattler thing... no snake will die simply by missing one week's feeding. Especially not a rattlesnake, since they don't get much to eat in the desert in winter anyway and are adapted to handle that. There was obviously an underlying reason.
I always feed my snakes on a week on/week off schedule rather than every week during the winter, regardless of financial situation (I'm just really glad this happened in winter for that very reason). Not only does that fit the "natural" cycle a bit better, but it lets me see who's still interested in food because they're 'hungrier'. As always, my male BPs have gone off feeding now and my girls are angry that I'm not giving them as much.

A wonderful person here - Eventide - sent me a few rats to help out and I want to say a big public THANKS to her! Her help means the snakes don't have to all go completely off food, at least for now. Now all I need is to find somewhere to get some aspen bedding cheap or free... sigh.

I'll keep updating if anything else comes up. Thanks again for the continued support.