Regurgitation - Need Help

[Albert Clark]

Sorry if my previous notes were unclear on the my thawing procedure but I've been taking the F/T out of the freezer in the mornings before work and thawing in theFridge until the early evening (10-12 hours). Then I'll lay it outside the cage (3 hours) and proceed to warm w/ a hairdryer. If I need to make some adjustments to this process, I'm all ears. I appreciate your response!!!!

Oh ok. I saw "several hours " and translated it into 3 or 4 hours of fridge time. Then in that case, i would spend more time with the blowdryer on the target areas and maybe even consider the double ziplock bag and hot water prior to the blowdryer.

[ckuhn003]

Oh ok. I saw "several hours " and translated it into 3 or 4 hours of fridge time. Then in that case, i would spend more time with the blowdryer on the target areas and maybe even consider the double ziplock bag and hot water prior to the blowdryer.

If it makes sense, I can thaw even longer in the fridge (i.e. put in the fridge the previous night). I just don't know if that's borderline a health concern for the BP.

As for the blow dryer, I usually only dry for 15-20 seconds because I don't want to experience any type of explosion. Not sure how likely this is or how long it takes for this to happen.

I've been trying to hold off involving water but if it's recommended, I'll certainly consider it.

[Albert Clark]

If it makes sense, I can thaw even longer in the fridge (i.e. put in the fridge the previous night). I just don't know if that's borderline a health concern for the BP.

As for the blow dryer, I usually only dry for 15-20 seconds because I don't want to experience any type of explosion. Not sure how likely this is or how long it takes for this to happen.

I've been trying to hold off involving water but if it's recommended, I'll certainly consider it.

That makes sense for sure but isn't really necessary as the "overnight" being a max of 8 hrs should suffice. Very minimal to no health concern as bp's have extremely strong gastric enzymes of digestion but inadequate tolerance of low, cold prey temperatures are more concerning. When using the blowdryer, it should be a waving type of motion to increase the temperature of prey items. Try increasing the time and surface area covered when using the blowdryer.

[ckuhn003]

Regurgitation Update:

After 2 weeks, I prepared a small mouse (thawed in fridge over night, 30 minutes double zipped locked bag in warm water, dusted w/ Nutribac and finished off w/ hairdryer).

Interestingly enough, I think the sound of the hairdryer peaked my BPs interest and he poked his head out of his hide. I presented the mouse w. hemostats and he struck but missed like he's done so many times in the past. I ended up leaving the mouse in the cage and it was gone in the morning. I've checked several times since and no sign of it, unless it's in his hide which I doubt.

So my question is, should I wait another week and re-introduce a Rat Pup? After speaking w/ someone at PerfectPrey, they thought maybe the regurgitation happened because of the switch from mouse to rat. They also suggested I pick out the smallest Rat Pup in the bag or feed a Rat Fuzzy (which I don't think I can find in any pet stores).

Also wanted to get some clarification on the topic of disturbances, etc.... I know not to handle my BP until 48 hours after feeding but does that mean hands off any changes to the cage (i.e. changing water, small house keeping items). What about general traffic in the area where the enclosure is? We have the BP in our basement where we have young kids that will play. They have no interest in the enclosure / snake but I wasn't sure if the jumping around or noise associated w/ kids can be an issue.

One more thing, should I wait until another feeding to hold and/or remove him for a deep cleaning?

[tttaylorrr]

Also wanted to get some clarification on the topic of disturbances, etc.... I know not to handle my BP until 48 hours after feeding but does that mean hands off any changes to the cage (i.e. changing water, small house keeping items). What about general traffic in the area where the enclosure is? We have the BP in our basement where we have young kids that will play. They have no interest in the enclosure / snake but I wasn't sure if the jumping around or noise associated w/ kids can be an issue.

One more thing, should I wait until another feeding to hold and/or remove him for a deep cleaning?

congrats on the feed!!!

IMO i don't think those types of general disturbances interfere that much with the beeps digestion. feel free to do any changes or maintenance in the cage. and i don't think traffic is a problem, but jumping around might.

i think you can go ahead and clean the enclosure after 48hrs.

[bcr229]

So my question is, should I wait another week and re-introduce a Rat Pup? After speaking w/ someone at PerfectPrey, they thought maybe the regurgitation happened because of the switch from mouse to rat. They also suggested I pick out the smallest Rat Pup in the bag or feed a Rat Fuzzy (which I don't think I can find in any pet stores).

I would wait two weeks and feed another mouse treated with NutriBAC like you just fed, assuming your BP doesn't regurge again. If the next feeding goes ok I would wait ten days and offer another treated slightly larger mouse. Wait ten days after that and offer the rat fuzzy.

[SDA]

I would wait two weeks and feed another mouse treated with NutriBAC like you just fed, assuming your BP doesn't regurge again. If the next feeding goes ok I would wait ten days and offer another treated slightly larger mouse. Wait ten days after that and offer the rat fuzzy.

This sounds like solid advice. Is nutribac like a supplement to aid in building back up gut flora or something?

[ckuhn003]

I would wait two weeks and feed another mouse treated with NutriBAC like you just fed, assuming your BP doesn't regurge again. If the next feeding goes ok I would wait ten days and offer another treated slightly larger mouse. Wait ten days after that and offer the rat fuzzy.

I was wondering about the continued use of the NutriBAC because the directions fail to mention how long to use it for.

So I'll continue w/ another small mouse and bump up to maybe a medium/large mouse.

As for the rat fuzzy, since I only have rat pups, is it worth trying to find one online since they are not regularly found in stores?

And is it ok to hold my BP or should I wait until all these steps are finished?

[SDA]

I mean probiotic supplements in us people are found to be a decent way to maintain healthy digestion so I wonder, is feeding a diet consisting of only frozen/thawed rats limiting the gut flora of a snake? I would love to know about any long term supplementing of this in ball pythons and if there is any benefit. Don't mean to slightly change the post here but I think this question might be a good one to know regurgitation or not.

Edit: just want to add I would assume if you get reptuable f/t rodents you don't have to worry about supplimenting because the rat breeder will feed the rat a nutrient rich diet which will translate to the snake. Just curious about any long term studies on probiotics in snakes outside of using it after a regurg or antibiotics.

[SDA]

Follow the same guidelines as for human meat.

Don't leave it out at room temperature for over 2 hours, no more than 2-3 days in the fridge, and not more than 6 months in the freezer. - https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal...asics/ct_index

You really should start getting in the habit of warming in a bag in a container of hot tap water. This warms much safer and faster than leaving at room temperature and prevents the possibility of rancid meat. If the rodent gets wet in a water bath you can always spot dry it in paper towels but a damp rodent won't harm anything . Heating with a blow dryer won't cause any problems but leaving it to thaw out of a fridge for 3 hours could.