Hogg Island Boa dead two days after feeding, perfectly health animal two days ago...

[pythontricker]

So, I know its been forever since ive been on, but I purchased a beautiful health hogg roughly two months ago, fed great, good body mass, lively, energetic, no health problems evident, AT ALL. Two nights ago he ate two chicks from East Bay Vivarium (his standard week-2 week meal). I leave him alone for two days to digest, check the cage, and theres a terrible odor immediately. Never before smelled quite like this, also there was a brown fluid coating his paper towels and no throw up noticeable, just a nasty brown fluid. The animal itself was extremely swollen, and in a very uncomfortable looking position. I can provide before and after picture, we even video taped the feeding. Im at a complete loss and my heat is broken, any insight would be appreciated.

[sho220]

Sorry to hear that. Only way to know what happened would probably be to get a necropsy done.

[pythontricker]

That's happening first thing in the morning. So, temps in the tank average around 83-85 roughly. The high in the tank gets to 90. The past two months the conditions have been exactly the same. Anyone ever hear of a snake possibly becoming infected with something that came from its food? I honestly cannot think of any other thing that would have caused this. And upon further inspection of the fluid in the cage, I found bones, feet and some other chicken parts. I would think if the chicks were infected with something, and the snake felt sick as a result, he would throw it all up. But there's still a considerable amount of food in him. It was also a remarkable amount of fluid. This boa was 8 ft long and in a pretty large container. The whole floor was coated with brown smelly fluid that appeared to have come from his mouth. I've never heard of anything like this occurring.

[Skiploder]

So, I know its been forever since ive been on, but I purchased a beautiful health hogg roughly two months ago, fed great, good body mass, lively, energetic, no health problems evident, AT ALL. Two nights ago he ate two chicks from East Bay Vivarium (his standard week-2 week meal). I leave him alone for two days to digest, check the cage, and theres a terrible odor immediately. Never before smelled quite like this, also there was a brown fluid coating his paper towels and no throw up noticeable, just a nasty brown fluid. The animal itself was extremely swollen, and in a very uncomfortable looking position. I can provide before and after picture, we even video taped the feeding. Im at a complete loss and my heat is broken, any insight would be appreciated.

You have no idea whether the animal was perfectly healthy or not - seeing as you only had it for two months.

In terms of what this could be - the possibilities are endless. If you really want answers, wait for the necropsy.

As a matter of fact, if this animal was not properly quarantined form the rest of your collection, that necropsy will become very important.

[pythontricker]

Fortunately I don't have this animal in the same house as my collection at home. I'm up in Berkeley for school and my other herps are at home. I bought this guy because i was really struggling without snakes in my life.

[Gio]

Wow, very sorry to hear this. I agree, 2 months is a short time, and really, on a boa food schedule that is not that many feedings. There could have been a problem that just did not have time to expose itself in 2 months.

Still its a heart breaker for you. Consider the source of where you got the snake and maybe ask e few questions. Then wait for vet exam notes.

[xFenrir]

An 8ft Hog Island?! That's huge!

Sorry for your loss. Hope the necropsy gives you some answers.

[Gio]

An 8ft Hog Island?! That's huge!

Sorry for your loss. Hope the necropsy gives you some answers.

I did not notice that this boa was 8 feet long how old was it? One thing that stands true about boa constrictors is that if they are power fed their lives are shortened considerably is that a possibility here prior to when you took possession? There are boa breeders that have experimented not to kill the snake, but for breeding purposes to get snakes larger earlier that have documentation about power feeding killing their snakes prior to five years of age. Just a thought.

[M&H]

I did not notice that this boa was 8 feet long how old was it? One thing that stands true about boa constrictors is that if they are power fed their lives are shortened considerably is that a possibility here prior to when you took possession? There are boa breeders that have experimented not to kill the snake, but for breeding purposes to get snakes larger earlier that have documentation about power feeding killing their snakes prior to five years of age. Just a thought.

What defines power feeding in this instance? Not saying you are wrong I would just like to know the logistics to this.

[Daybreaker]

The snake was 8' long and only eating two chicks every 2 weeks? That seems like a super small meal.

I've read that chicks cause really smelly poop (more so than rats or mice) so maybe the really bad smell had something to do with the chicks. Just a thought. Keep us updated on the necropsy.