ooops

[BigSam]

I kinda messed up today. I was feeding (alive) And my female ball python patti got a bad bite on this big mouse and she wrapped up and everything but when had the mouse wrapped I was hearing like this ripping sound then I started seeing blood running slowly from her head. Right now she is putting that mouse down and I can't tell who's blood that is? The mouse or her's? If it's her's what can I do to help her?

Sam,

 

[Phillip]

Neosporin cant hurt and if the wound isn't deep may fix the problem. As I'm sure you are aware now live is not a good choice for feeding. Not trying to rub it in but it is important for folks to know this and many are thrilled by the kill. Not saying you were but this is a great example of how if you feed live eventually this will happen.


Phil

 

[Beardo]

Same thing happened to me years ago....I've fed f/t or pre-killed ever since.

 

[Lycanthrope]

ditto. im sure my appropriatly name ball python "stitch" would testify the same.

 

[AudreyElizabeth]

Never had that happen in the early days of feeding snakes, but it easily could have. Sorry it happened to yours. I got my corn snakes switched over to 'Mice on Ice' with no problems at all, although the cost was obscene for eight frozen rodents.
And if its the thrill of the kill that gets you, well, your mother's face is equally priceless everytime you thaw out a snack.....

 

[Bry]

*sighs and shakes head*

 

[BigSam]

Originally posted by Bry
*sighs and shakes head*

Ok Bry you told before in the past that this was gonna happen. But still I don't have it in me to thaw out a mouse or rat. I think thats kinda grose.

Sam,

 

[Bry]

As "gross" as thawing prey may be, I assure you that a snake with an infection from a bite, or being chewed up doesn't do much for the appetite either. I have posted some of those gruesome pics before. I hope you can stomach that if it ever happens. I surely hope it never does. Won't you at least consider feeding pre-killed prey? You obviously love your snakes. Don't you want the best for them, even if it grosses you out?

Bry

 

[AudreyElizabeth]

I agree with Bry- It certainly not as gross as a ripped up snake which also happens to be your beloved pet.
Give it try- it isn't bad. Just a dead, wet mouse.

 

[Gillian]

Sam,
Look at it as a frozen piece of meat. Drop it in the water, take it out with tongs. Dinner. And yes, and infected bite is much worse.

My Ball Python, Othello was dropped off at the petstore I worked at. He had an imbeded rat tooth in his spine. Partially paralyzed in the lower half of his body, I had to "massage" him to get him to eliminate, had to forcefeed him several times, and give him shots. In addition to, cleaning that "pus-filled" wound out.

So, a frozen prey item, doesn't bother me. You'll get used to it. Think of your beloved pets.


Peace, light & eternal love...
Gillian
)0(

 

[burnpile]

Originally posted by BigSam
Ok Bry you told before in the past that this was gonna happen. But still I don't have it in me to thaw out a mouse or rat. I think thats kinda grose.

Sam,

What if your ball python gets bigger and squeezes a live rat hard enough to pop both eyes out, would that be even more 'gross'? Take the advice and feed f/t or pre-killed, for the animals benefit if not your own.

 

[Phillip]

A tip for those new to thawing mice and rats. Put the frozen rodent in a ziplock and float them in the warm water. This way they aren't wet and nasty when you offer them to the snake and they also don't have substrate stick to them. To the folks that have been there done that this goes without saying but is a tip often left off of caresheets and instructions.

Phil

 

[Lycanthrope]

Putting them in a ziplock also keeps the water from washing the "mousy" smell off. The stinkier the mouse the more attractive it is to your snake.

 

[Crotalus]

I thaw my mice on a piece of paper on top of the aquarium light tube ramp.
Makes them dry and juicy!

As far as injuries when feeding alive food - I never had a single accident for 20+ years of keeping snakes in captivity.
Maybe some that have accidents feed their snakes too large prey in too small tanks - then it can go wrong.

/Lelle

 

[Lycanthrope]

most accidents i see have one thing in common, a small feeding cage and temperatures too low for a good feeding response. people dont understand that a barebottom 20 long and a house kept at 65 degrees just isnt that stimulating for a 4 foot ball python. add a rat to the mix and you have a recipe for disaster. i feed frozen prekilled for parasite reasons more than anything.

 

[AudreyElizabeth]

Originally posted by Phillip
A tip for those new to thawing mice and rats. Put the frozen rodent in a ziplock and float them in the warm water. This way they aren't wet and nasty when you offer them to the snake and they also don't have substrate stick to them. To the folks that have been there done that this goes without saying but is a tip often left off of caresheets and instructions.

Phil

Wow Phil- Don't I feel like a donkey's butt! =D
The thought never crossed my mind to tell you the truth. The intructions said to 'place in warm water.' =D
I always had a special tank for feeding though.... Minimal furnishings and substrate.