need opinion on a sudden death

dbunch · 09-04-12, 09:14 PM

Well hello everyone, I hate to make this my first post but I need some opinions on a sudden death. I recently got two GTP one I am told was 18 months the other was 12 months old. Ive been reading these forums so this is the set up: 18x18x24 glass enclosure with screen top that was partial sealed with plexy to help hold humidity, temps at hot spot 85 with cool low around 80, humidity after a few days of adjustments maintained a high 90% after misting no lower that 75% during the daytime. Nighttime humidity drop probably around the 60%. The problem was with the older GTP "peaches". First of all after one day of just perching in the top most perch day and night she adjusted to the new home. She perched most of the day but would move around the cage as needed. Would drink water after misting so hydration was not an issue. This GTP died roughly 72 hours after feeding. I don't believe this snake was stressed out unlike the younger GTP. I was actually making progress working with her as far as handling goes, and I would not handle or disturb the snake for 48 hours after meals. Here is the feeding schedule for the month: 8-9-12 1 2g pinkie
8-15-12 2 2g pinkie 8-26-12 2 2g pinkie. She died 8-29-12. There are two reasons I went to two pinkies during the feeding. After the first feed I could not even tell she ate, no noticeable bulge. So at the second feed my younger GTP refused to eat and peaches was still very active after getting her pinkie down so I gave her the others unwanted which she took with no hesitation and the days after the second feeding were normal with no noticeable problem. The third feeding same story she got the other pinkie because my other GTP "little man" wont eat (which I believe is stress related). So roughly three days later I see her make this weird rocking motion on her perch, stretch upright and yawn and crap all at once. Then she returned to a very wide lazy perch which she would hold right after feeding. So I was thinking maybe she was just a little constipated. I come back a few hours later to find her dead in the bottom of the cage. So the only difference in the feedings is were the food items came from. The first two feedings came from a local store and the last food items came from a reputable online supplier. Now I have read that these snakes digestive systems are slower than most and are prone to regurgitation and constipation, so I am wanting to know do you guys think this is a case of me over feeding her or is this a case of a bad food supply or just a case of "it happens" Also I found what I think my have been a half vomited up pinkie in her cage, this is why my initial thought were I over fed her. Anyway the whole thing sucks, Im upset about it and want some advise so If it was me I don't screw up with "little man". Sorry this was so long, thanks for reading and for any help or comments.

rmfsnakes32 · 09-04-12, 09:47 PM

If you call a university with a vet school they would probably charge a small fee or if you donate her to sciene they will do it for free at least then you can get some answers! Just dont freeze the carcass they cant do a necropsy if they have been froze

etc · 09-04-12, 09:56 PM

It's probably not due to overfeeding, it could've been the source of the rodents (I've about some problems regarding rodent-pro live feeders recently, if that is where you even got your feeders, but not sure how much of that problem is transferable to F/T).

Where did you get your animals? I'm no expert but it sounds like it was an import. I would advise you to talk to your source, where you got your animals from to press for answers and also post this on moreliaviridis.yuku.com for more in-depth replies from a specialized crowd.

dbunch · 09-05-12, 12:44 AM

Thanks for the replies. I purchased my snakes from a breeder from Texas during a local convention. They are captive breed and I have talked to him by both email and phone about this situation. He didn't think I over feed the snake either I was just looking for someones else thoughts. I could not get a necropsy done so I'm not able to get answers that way. Also, the food vendor is not the one mentioned and I called them and they have had no other complaints from customers like this and they also told me they are feeding several ball python babies the same batch of mice that I have with no trouble, but then again would they tell me if they were?

09-05-12, 01:39 AM

Sorry for your loss.

GTP's are hard to keep in captivity. I don't think you did anything wrong and in my opinion, the snake must've had a prior condition that caused her death. You should immediately place the other GTP in quarantine.

Lankyrob · 09-05-12, 02:56 AM

I wouldnt say it was overfeeding, i fed my hatchling GTP fluffy rats (it never ate any pinkies with me at all) so a couple of pinkies shouldnt have overstressed it.

As both snakes came from the same place i would want a necropsy done just in case it is something that the other snake could "catch" - are they housed separately??

qnrvzyro · 09-05-12, 03:25 AM

The small animals are easily to die, I do not willing to touch these

shaunyboy · 09-05-12, 07:25 AM

i'm sorry for your loss mate

imo you did NOT over feed her,as an 18 month old GTP should be taking much larger prey than pinkies

what are the tanks made from ?

i know pine sap/oil can kill a carpet very quickly

you also have to understand,snakes can die at an early age through NO fault of the keeper

that said,i would get fecial tests done on the other GTP you have,since they come from the same breeder (just to be on the safe side)

cheers shaun

dbunch · 09-05-12, 10:51 AM

Thanks for the replies. Both snakes were housed in glass exo terra 18x18x24. The younger snake has not eaten yet, its been about a month. Im chalking that up to stress from the move, then to large a set up. He has since been placed back into a small tub container been there about a week and refused to eat again last night. He seems to be staying hydrated but still wont feed.
So does anyone think it was the new food items that could have done this? I bought in bulk from the food supplier and was trying to decide if i should just throw them out. Im not using them at this point.

Lankyrob · 09-05-12, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbunch

Thanks for the replies. Both snakes were housed in glass exo terra 18x18x24. The younger snake has not eaten yet, its been about a month. Im chalking that up to stress from the move, then to large a set up. He has since been placed back into a small tub container been there about a week and refused to eat again last night. He seems to be staying hydrated but still wont feed.
So does anyone think it was the new food items that could have done this? I bought in bulk from the food supplier and was trying to decide if i should just throw them out. Im not using them at this point.

Without a full examination of the snake it is impossible to say what caused it.