redtailboas
02-17-2002, 11:21 AM
My boa has regurgitated the mouse/rat that I fed him. What should I do to prevent it from happening again?
Instant Solution
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The first thing you should do is NOT feed you boa again for 2 weeks (12 to 15 full days) after the regurgitation. This is a critical recovery time for the boa to "rebuild" the fluids in his stomach. Wait 2 two weeks. If you feed sooner you are asking for another regurgitation.
Since regurgitations can be caused by several things you need to verify the proper environmental conditions are met. Make sure your temperatures are good and that they are in the proper gradient. Make sure the snake has clean fresh water everyday and that he's properly hydrated.
Some medical problems can cause regurgitation as well, and they include fungal or protozoal overgrowth. Fungal/Bacterial overgrowth can be treated by your Vet.
After the 2 weeks is over be sure to offer a SMALLER food item. You should keep the food items smaller for several feedings to completely avoid the recurring problem.
It may also be necessary to CHANGE the source of your rodents. Your current supplier may have rodents that are fed differently or that are not extremely healthy. After the regurgitation, if you check and verify all temperatures and other environmental conditions, it makes good sense to try a different source for the next food item.
One small addition:
Remember this... "PINKY POWER"!!! When you are talking a baby Boa pink rats are much easier to digest than are mice of any type. I am always preaching the power of the pinky. Pinkies are like Jell-O to your little baby Boa and will be much less likely to be regurgitated than a mouse of any size or type.
Black text by - Jeff Ronne / The Boaphile
PS This is great stuff Clay has written up here!
Instant Solution
=================================================
The first thing you should do is NOT feed you boa again for 2 weeks (12 to 15 full days) after the regurgitation. This is a critical recovery time for the boa to "rebuild" the fluids in his stomach. Wait 2 two weeks. If you feed sooner you are asking for another regurgitation.
Since regurgitations can be caused by several things you need to verify the proper environmental conditions are met. Make sure your temperatures are good and that they are in the proper gradient. Make sure the snake has clean fresh water everyday and that he's properly hydrated.
Some medical problems can cause regurgitation as well, and they include fungal or protozoal overgrowth. Fungal/Bacterial overgrowth can be treated by your Vet.
After the 2 weeks is over be sure to offer a SMALLER food item. You should keep the food items smaller for several feedings to completely avoid the recurring problem.
It may also be necessary to CHANGE the source of your rodents. Your current supplier may have rodents that are fed differently or that are not extremely healthy. After the regurgitation, if you check and verify all temperatures and other environmental conditions, it makes good sense to try a different source for the next food item.
One small addition:
Remember this... "PINKY POWER"!!! When you are talking a baby Boa pink rats are much easier to digest than are mice of any type. I am always preaching the power of the pinky. Pinkies are like Jell-O to your little baby Boa and will be much less likely to be regurgitated than a mouse of any size or type.
Black text by - Jeff Ronne / The Boaphile
PS This is great stuff Clay has written up here!