F/T Mouse

[savedtolive]

Is it okay to re-freeze a f/t mouse if the snake doesn't want to eat it? Today is feeding day, but my bp just sits in front of the mouse. It's been there for awhile now and I doubt she's going to eat it.
I've heard that once it has been thawed, and the nutrients are gone. Is it okay to stick it back in the freezer? I'd hate to waste it.
Also, when should I try feeding again? Tomorrow? Next week?

[55Ballin]

Yes, you can re-freeze it. The nutrients are lost while frozen. The thawing/freezing cycle itself has no bearing on the loss of nutrients. It's the same with the vegetables we eat: frozen vegetables will naturally lose nutrients over time.

[Vypyrz]

Personally, I don't re-freeze them. As soon as it is thawed, the decomposition process resumes at normal pace. There is nothing that says you can't refreeze it, but I would definitely not re-use after it has been thawed for a couple of hours. Just my opinion...

[Oxylepy]

After a few times of thaw/re-feeze you end up with funky mouse... And no one wants the funky mouse.

Personally if mine thaw I throw them out if they arent eaten. But if I have to get them from the store and they thaw on the way home I just throw them in the freezer anyway.

[j_h_smith]

I wouldn't do it. Too great of a chance of bacteria growth. Also, if you have a picky eater, you may want to leave the mouse in the enclosure over night. I've got a pinstripe that won't eat unless the rodent sits in the enclosure over night.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[Punkymom]

I thought bps eat carion sometimes in the wild? If that's the case, a mouse or rat with some bacteria from sitting out shouldn't hurt them. If you lay them out to thaw on the counter (a big no no with meat people consume) there's already going to be some bacteria growth going on. Personally, I refreeze 1 time. If a snake should refuse the 2nd time I offer, I'll throw it away. So far, I've never had to throw one out. If I have one I'm not sure if they're going to eat and I have a refroze (is that a word?) rat, I'll offer a "fresh" one (one that has only been initially frozen) instead. Anyway, that's what I do. In fact, my older bp just took a "refroze" rat last night.

[55Ballin]

I use the 2-try only idea, also. I've only had to do it once though. If you refreeze/thaw a mouse too many times it starts to fall apart anyways. The tail will almost always rip and legs will fall off if holding with tongs.

[Vypyrz]

After a few times of thaw/re-feeze you end up with funky mouse... And no one wants the funky mouse.

I wouldn't do it. Too great of a chance of bacteria growth.

Don't you just love that "morning after" smell of a rodent that has been laying in there all night. Somewhere between stale pee and not quite roadkill...

[j_h_smith]

Don't you just love that "morning after" smell of a rodent that has been laying in there all night. Somewhere between stale pee and not quite roadkill...

I'm lucky, my Pin always eats. He's won't touch it no matter how you present it. Live,no, FT dangled for an hour, no. Drop the FT/pre-killed in the middle of his enclosure, go to bed, it's gone in the morning.

What ever works!
Jim Smith