feeding live rats

[gardenfiend138]

No, actuallly. The 'squishy' is the ice crystals from being frozen several times, tearing the cells of the body apart.
It happens with meat and veggies too. Try putting a green onion in the freezer, and see how mushy it turns, it's because it doesn't have the 'strength' to withstand the ice crystals when it's freezing, and as they grow, they rip the onion to pieces (microscopically).

Regardless, re-freezing a defrosted and heated prey item is not a 'best practice' in keeping reptiles.

[Skittles1101]

I refreeze once if it's refused and have had no issues at all. If it's refused a second time (which it NEVER is because I give any refrozen rodent to my normal garbage disposal...) I toss it.

[shaqthaballkeeper]

for every one to know i fead her the live rat and we didnt have any prob's at all.

[Rhasputin]

Regardless, re-freezing a defrosted and heated prey item is not a 'best practice' in keeping reptiles.

Of course not.
But times is hard!

[gardenfiend138]

Ewww last night I ripped off my first rat tail doing a c/d :-[
Thankfully the one tug did it!

[Robonarc]

I feed live and I've never had any problems before. But tonight the rat gave her a little nip in the back of the neck. She's not dripping blood or anything but I can see a little bit of red. Is there any reason to be worried or will this heal up on it's own?

[Salodin]

I hear shedding helps heals those things. It's probably like any other animal, the skin will heal like normal over time, but the scales won't be repaired of damage until it's shed and replaced.

[Robonarc]

Well that kinda sucks, she just shed a few days ago. Any antibiotic ointments that would help? Like Polysporin? Again, it's not a deep cut since the rat didn't have much leverage. She maybe lost 2 or 3 small scales.

[Salodin]

I'm no expert, but as long as she isn't actively bleeding I don't think it's that big of a deal. Every animal gets scrapes or cuts (or bites), there's nothing you can do but wait for it to heal; just hold her gingerly for the next couple of days if you take her out, otherwise just let her be and she'll be fine.

[JChristine23]

Ewww last night I ripped off my first rat tail doing a c/d :-[
Thankfully the one tug did it!

What's a c/d and why did you rip off the rat tail? I'm introducing my BP to a f/t rat on Monday. Just wondering if I am missing something.