What are potential reasons for spitting up a meal?

[Ducktape]

My regular ball, my first and currently only snake, had been feeding fine for the past five months or so [roughly once a week, grabbing it almost instantly every time]. Which is pretty miraculous considering how long it took to get her to eat at all. But starting last week she seemed to be struggling with swallowing, which I've seen her do before but finish every time. This time, before she finished, she spit the mouse back out again.

I thought this might be either because 1.) a piece of bark got caught on it and 2.) she was about to shed.

So I waited a week, and tried to feed her again tonight, since she looked ready to eat [at around 9 o'clock at night, unless she's stressed, she'll anticipate food.]. She grabbed it instantly, I turn my back for a few minutes, turn to check, and I see the spit-up mouse next to her again.

Now, I've been feeding her artic mice, in the small size. And although the shed she just went through is mostly still on her, I believe the problem might be that the mice, which were fine before, are now too small. But since I'm pretty much a complete herp amateur [I've had this one for a year and a half, but even so] I thought I'd ask for some second opinions.

Please tell me all your snake spit-up stories.

[Badgemash]

What exactly do you mean when you say the shed is still on her?

I am unfamiliar with artic mice (or mice in sizes for that matter) but a year and a half old BP should be eating more than one mouse a week. For comparison my similar aged male usually does 4 mice in a sitting.

Does she have any other symptoms? Do you see anything odd on her face or inher mouth? From your description I would be suspicious of an abcess causing pain when she tries to eat.

The only spit-up I've had was when I startled him by opening the tub prematurely to check if he was done, and he ended up eating it anyway before I could take it out.

[Ducktape]

Only her head/specs have come off, but nothing below the neck.

I can usually get the rest off myself while soaking her, but I haven't done so yet.

I also haven't seen anything noticeable on her, or any other noticeable symptoms. I am wondering though if it would be worth it to take her to a vet?

[Sita]

Tell us exactly how you have her setup: what she's living in, the temps and how you are measuring, humidity, etc.

The fact that she did not shed completely tells us that your husbandry might a little off, which could be the reason she's not eating. If you can tell us the details, we can help you tweak it and hopefully help you out.

[Rickys_Reptiles]

How far did she ingest the mouse before she "spit it up"?

Does your snake wheeze or have any mucus around its nostrils? I have heard of (don't want to make you panic) snakes "spitting up" food when they have a RI. Why? Well, they're hungry so they go for it, but then they cannot breath so they "spit it up".

[satomi325]

Was the food properly thawed and heated? Is your enclosure heated enough? Could also be stress from some outside factor. Prey could also be too small. All of these could lead to a spitting out the meal.

From what I'm understanding, it doesn't sound like a regurge?

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