Burm Regurge

[Rogue628]

My larger royal refused his live medium rat (I think he's gone off feed since he's refused for almost a month now). So I threw it to the smaller of my burms. She tagged it quickly and showed no problems getting it down. A few minutes ago I look over to see how she's doing (I fed her about a half hour ago) and she starts this twisting motion in her tub and opening her mouth. I knew she was regurging. Sure enough out it came a couple of minutes later.

The feeder rat was purchased at the mom and pop shop I've been buying live feeders at. I've never had an issue with any of their feeders. They're all well taken care of, are clean and healthy and are in clean enclosures.

I double checked her temps and humidity in her tub. Everything is as it's always been. I did have to clean her tub before I fed her as she pooped in it. I used straight water as I was leery of using anything else since I was feeding her right after.

She's not lethargic. She's cruising her cage even now as she normal does. She didn't act upset by the episode at all. She even acted somewhat interested her the regurged rat after she puked it up. (eww) When I had her out earlier to clean her tub, I noticed that it looked like she's going into shed as she's dulling out a bit, but her eyes aren't grey. I didn't notice any abnormalities. No popping or wheezing (I check all my animals for this each time I get them out...it's a habit).

I know I have to wait at least 14 days before offering food again, right? The only time I've dealt with regurges is with my kings and I wait two weeks before offering food again.

I don't know why she would regurge and if it's something I need to fix, I want to fix it ASAP.

Does anyone have any suggestions to what caused it so I can fix the problem? I've never had a burm regurge before and it's worrying me that maybe I've missed something.

Thanks!

[Rogue628]

I'm also going to quarantine her from the rest of my collection since the cause of the regurge is unknown. If it's something that can be passed around, I don't need my other babies getting it.

When I removed the rat, I could tell she was in feed mode, but is still calm considering and exploring her cage. I noticed the rat had alot poop on it too.

[Norm66]

I don't know anything to help but I wouldn't worry too much yet. Hope he's fine and it was just a little tummy upset.

[millertime89]

Sounds like you just stressed her out. My SD does this if I don't cover her tub immediately and leave her alone. Maybe somebody else with more experience can give you more info, but if she had only just had it down her throat and not actually in her stomach she might be able to take a meal next week instead of waiting 2 because she didn't regurge her entire stomach contents. I know my girl will actually eat her meal after she regurges it if I leave it in there and leave her alone. Weird I know, and I'm not sure if it actually bothers her. She's only regurged twice and both were from me not leaving her be after she's started swallowing.

[Rogue628]

I left her alone. She was still cruising her tub looking for more food as she's on a much larger food. Since she's slightly smaller than my other burm, I decided to give the extra to her....she could use it.

She's been cruising her tub looking for food since. I feel bad for her because I know she's hungry, yet I can't do anything about it right now. :(

I'm still not sure why she regurged, but she's acting like nothing happened. I don't think anything was done that could have caused her stress but I could be something I overlooked. I did take her out to clean the tub of the regurge smell and possible bacteria. She was behaving as normal. I'll probably offer food next weekend on her normal feed day as I highly doubt it was in her belly. I doubt 30 minutes had passed from the time I watched her get the tail down to the time she puked.

I'm still going to keep her in another room for the time being, at least until I feed again and she keeps it down. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Wait...some will attempt to eat their regurge? That won't make 'em sick or anything, will it?

[millertime89]

Mine has and it doesn't make her sick. But the two times she's done it she didn't even get it all the way in her throat when she pushed it back up. What actually happened the first time is I reached in with the tongs to remove it and as I was pulling it out she struck again, took it from the tongs and wrapped it up. I would take a video of it but I really don't want to put her through the stress. My girl likes it DARK when she eats. She gets fed least. She strikes, coils, and I put the tub in the rack, drop a blanket, and leave the room.