Emergency Question:

Boaphile · #1 (**permalink**) 10-17-2002, 05:51 PM

This has been copied from a little thread running on my own Forum at http://www.theboaforum.com/ .

Here is the original post:

I fed my boa tonight and she ate the rat backwards, should I be worried, could the legs tear her digestive tract like that? Please advise
Jeff

In an effort to offer good advice and valuable help here are two of my follow up posts:

This can be an extremely serious problem. Your Boa after eating a rat backwards is very likely to do something that will be very very disturbing indeed. She or he as the case may be will very likely poop out that rat in turd form backwards as well. This is something that I would watch very closely for. You will want to make sure that all turds do come out forwards and that you do not find any of the "backwards" turds in the cages. If you do find a "backwards" turd you will need to lift it gently and turn it around forwards. This must be done while the turd is still moist. If you do not turn the turd before it dries out it will always remain and forever shall be a "backwards" turd. Please fire off a few pics after you find the afore mentioned turd. If you have trouble identifying weather or not the turd is backwards or not pictures will help Boa turd experts like myself identify the turd for you and its relative direction. This is the best advice I can offer. I hope this helps and remember and again I quote myself when I say these all important words... "Poop is Poop". By the way… just a little “humor” from the Boaphile LOL. Rats eaten backwards are not problem. Cats eaten backwards if they still have their claws can be very bad… LOL

Another follow up post from “The Boaphile”:

Oops...

One thing I failed to mention. Actually three. Smell the “backwards” turd. If it smells like poop you very likely do not have anything to worry about. Next pinch a very small amount of it between your index finger and your thumb on your right hand if you right handed or use your left hand if you are left handed. While smushing and gushing it around carefully feel for anything within the poop. If you do not feel anything unusual like corn or crayon bits you are just about home free. The final test of course is the taste test. This only need to be done if you are not 100% certain everything is fine. If after tasting the offending backwards turd, verifying that it in fact smells like poop, making 100% certain that you do not feel any "bits" within the turd and finally the taste test, if the turd or poop tastes like poop... everything is well inside your Boa. Your worries are over. Go wash your hands, brush your teeth and use a strong mouthwash. You should be good to go.

Good luck!

Jeff Ronne
The Boaphile

PS One final tip. Whatever you do... use somebody else's toothbrush. Just a word to the wise.

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eddie · #2 (**permalink**) 10-17-2002, 06:01 PM

That is just bad..... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Hehehehe!
And to think there was a real problem somewhere!
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Stormyva · #3 (**permalink**) 10-17-2002, 06:57 PM

Hmmmm. I wonder how many snake owners will actually try that.
Have seen quite a few posts about the prey going down backwards.

One question though.... if you are ambidextrous which hand should you use for the pinch?
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#4 (**permalink**) 10-17-2002, 07:16 PM

ROFLMFAO!!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]
Having some fun at others expense today Jeff ? LOL
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JuliusSqueezer · #5 (**permalink**) 10-17-2002, 10:11 PM

Jeff...I don't see anything like this in the Boa Manual....time for another updated addition. LOL.

Serious note...In many cases when a snake is eating a rodent sideways or backwards, it can mean that the food is too small. They usually take greater care to eat head first when eating an appropriate sized meal. but sometimes even so backwards happens...I think some just like the taste of butt.
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XzyluM · #6 (**permalink**) 10-17-2002, 10:30 PM

Where can I find more about this Jeff? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]
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#7 (**permalink**) 10-18-2002, 02:35 PM

That is a hilarious response, and this...

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>I think some just like the taste of butt.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

was even better!!!

Hahahahahahahahah!!!

[img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]
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Kohm · #8 (**permalink**) 10-18-2002, 03:44 PM

Oh my goodness... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

I guess people can get worried when their snakes which always swallow headfirst, start swallowing backwards. But this reminds me, my snake swallowed a fish backwards. Does anyone think that'll be a problem? Birds, snakes, etc. swallow fish headfirst because of the scales that would scratch otherwise. (This wouldn't be a problem with a rodent, unless... anyone seen a mouse with scales?)
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#9 (**permalink**) 10-18-2002, 04:30 PM

I think the biggest problem with fish going in backwards is the gills - they tend to flare out and really slow the swallowing process or stop it altogether. Just last night I was feeding my watersnakes some goldfish and one got a fish lodged in his craw and couldn't get it down any further b/c of the gills and taking it down 1/2 sideways, half backwards. I had to take my thumb and pull it along his belly towards the head to pop the fish back out...he swallowed it head fish next time [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

I agree with Brett, things like that usually happen when the prey item is not large enough. That has always been the case with my Nerodia and their fish.
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