Aspen stuck to guts of mouse and was swallowed

[Karma]

Is it normal for the guts of a frozen/thawed mouse to squeeze out when the snake is swallowing it? (The mouse was not constricted before being eaten.) That happened to my snake today.

Also since the guts were exposed some of the aspen bedding stuck to them and that was swallowed with the mouse.

Will this have any affect on my snake?

She is a 24" long Ball Python.

[Jayson]

I have never had the guts of a feeder squeeze out before, but i have had snakes ingest bedding before.
A small amount of aspen should not harm your snake but i recommend changing your method of feeding to reduced the risk of an impaction.

[mykee]

Simple problem solved simply: Don't feed your snake on loose substrate.

[Invictus]

That is a good point. Also, aspen doesn't do too well with the high humidity that BPs require, as it does mold very easily. I'd recommend looking into cypress mulch if you want a more decorative look, or just good ol' newspaper. In the mean time though, don't worry much about the aspen. A small amount will just pass right through the snake.

[Tim_Cranwill]

The rodent "leaking" issue could be caused by thawing the feeder in water that is too hot. I'm not sure how you thaw your feeders but that could be the issue. :)

[ib_inked]

My two bp's do the exact same thing every time. The guts come out without fail. But as mentioned above, it may be due to the fact that I heat the mice under the heat lamp before feeding. It makes their feeding reponse really strong and quick!

[Karma]

I want to start using cypress mulch. I looked at some today and the bag was sealed and it had lots of moisture.

And to be honest yes, I am using hot water to thaw. Other wise won't it take several hours to thaw alone? What are everyone's recommended ways of thawing if you feed f/t feeders.

I am very eager to start breeding feeders myself. But I don't think that will go over very well with my fiance. :toilet:

Thanks to everyone for the helpful info!

[Bartman]

The way I do it quickly and with water is put them in a ziplock with is air tight. Then put the bag over warm, not HOT, but just warm water filled up in a sink or something. In about 15 minutes ive thawed out a small/medium rat (somewhere in between those :))

[Karma]

Originally posted by Bartman
The way I do it quickly and with water is put them in a ziplock with is air tight. Then put the bag over warm, not HOT, but just warm water filled up in a sink or something. In about 15 minutes ive thawed out a small/medium rat (somewhere in between those :))

Wow! Thanks, I will try that next time.
I appreciate the help.

[Invictus]

I always use hot water to thaw my rodents, and have never had a problem. Of course, this is just "tap water hot", not boiling or anything.

[C.m.pyrrhus]

Another reliable method would to put whatever frozen rodents needed in the fridge the day before used. Once it is time to use them, they are simply cold and a few minutes under a warm light does the trick. Anytime you thaw them out to quick, with any method, you'll get guts everywhere. I have had that happen before. Aint to clean...:D

I usually only thew out small prey with hot water such as pinks and fuzzies and whatnot. Keep in mind, just as Ken said, only "Tap water hot."

[Karma]

I went and bought a new tank and new substrate. I amusing cypress mulch now with a little aspen in her hiding place. That way it is a little softer in there.

I am now using her old tank to feed her in. I took mykee's advice and I have lined it with newspaper. So thanks mykee!

How long after she is done swallowing her prey should I leave her in her feeding box?

I would like to put her back as soon as I can because right after she eats she goes right to her hiding place because that is where I have the UTH placed.

[Jayson]

I Dont think that thawing feeders in hot water has anything to do with the guts coming out. I have used hot water for thawing feeders for ever. The only time i have ever seen the guts come out was when i use to buy my feeders from the pet stores and IMO the reason has more to do with the amount time they were in the freezer and poor packaging (freezer burn).

[Samba]

Uh, I have a strong stomach, but this thread really challenged my ability to keep my breakfast down!!!

I have fed my burm, Bandula, F/T for four years and have never witnessed the internals coming out while he was constricting or consuming his food. Now that I've read this post I'm worried I'll pass out if it ever actually happens, eh, especially if I have to clean it up!!!

My method of thawing the rats usually goes like this:

I buy it, and usually I like to feed the same day. It never goes into the freezer (unless I'm stocking up and have surplus).

I normally let the rat 'sit' overnight (since I usually buy them in the evenings), and in the morning before work I place it in my kitchen sink (in a bag, of course) under running 'hot' water. (My water does get very hot, so maybe I should consider going with warm instead)??

I offer it, via tongs, and Bandula usually hits it right away.

I really would like to avoid this problem, so maybe I should just stick to the usual routine? Any ideas on why this occurs??

:::GAG:::

[Cruciform]

I've only had bursting occur with animals that weren't frozen quickly enough in the first place.

I use the tap-hot water method with mice or rats because it's the same method I learned for thawing chicken quickly and safely.

30 minutes at the outside sitting in a litter of hot water and it will be thawed to the core.

[Samba]

Thanks, that gives me some relief... I went to feed Bandula 3 days ago and I was so nervous that he was distracted and it took him forever to grab the darn rat from me!!

The rat didn't burst... and this time I tried the 'fridge idea by allowing the rat to slowly thaw there for a few hours...Under hot (tap) water for 20 minutes and it was done.

Referring to what you said about not freezing the animals quickly enough... how soon after death should they be frozen? I don't whack my own rats, usually, but have a friend do it for me...

Thanks! =)