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[olivehydra]

Hello all,
Thought I would share in case others are using "sili tongs" to avoid problems. I got some large "sili" brand tongs for feeding my big snakes. These tongs have soft rubbery "jaws" which were good in avoiding breaking teeth with snakes who have strong feeding response. Anyway after feeding my big olives last night I was cleaning up, and noticed that the rubbery "jaws" of the tongs are actually removable and my big girl had ripped it off when taking her dinner. I noticed too late, and there she was looking pleased with herself after having eaten her rat and one of the tong heads It looks like I'll have to wait a week or so to get it back now :cry:

 

[Possum]

Happy hunting.........

 

[OuZo]

Eek :shock:. Will she be ok though ya think? Good luck!

 

[olivehydra]

Eek :shock:. Will she be ok though ya think? Good luck!

The bit she ate is pretty flexible so I'm hoping it will pass through OK. On another occasion with the same snake and tongs, she grabbed the lot with her jaws clamped around the tongs. I was worried that the tongs would spring open in her mouth when she relaxed, so I held on. I had to get her out of the cage and run a cool bath to get her to let go, all the while with a very hungry 11ft snake wrapped around me. I think I shall be investing in some welding gloves soon

 

[moosenoose]

I shouldn't laugh, but you've just missed a golden opportunity for winning some cash on Australias Funniest Home Videos by the sounds of it! :lol:

 

[OuZo]

all the while with a very hungry 11ft snake wrapped around me.

That's a very scary thought lol . Let us know how she goes

 

[olivehydra]

I shouldn't laugh, but you've just missed a golden opportunity for winning some cash on Australias Funniest Home Videos by the sounds of it! :lol:

Its alright to laugh moose, I did (afterwards anyway) :wink:

 

[moosenoose]

HEHE I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time :wink:

 

[soulweaver]

wish all the best with that, hope it passes ok.

 

[PilbaraPythons]

olivehydra
All the best with your python but I really think you should have immediately forced the snake to regurgitate the item which can be done by manipulating its oesophagus.
Depending on the items size it is very possible that you may end up with a drama that will require surgery.
Cheers Dave

 

[ether]

If a snake can digest bone, i would have though that rubber would not be a problem?

Or are snakes digestive juices only powerful on biological items?

Cheers Alex

 

[serpenttongue]

I know a herper whose Lacey ate a huge stainless steel soup spoon :shock: , it was easily passed but slightly corroded. Before herpers started putting radio trackers(the size of an AA battery) under the skin of snakes, they would just force it down the throat, and this would eventually be passed without problems. I think your Olive will pass this item easily, and may even digest most of it.

 

[olivehydra]

I know a herper whose Lacey ate a huge stainless steel soup spoon :shock: , it was easily passed but slightly corroded. Before herpers started putting radio trackers(the size of an AA battery) under the skin of snakes, they would just force it down the throat, and this would eventually be passed without problems. I think your Olive will pass this item easily, and may even digest most of it.

I kind of thought so to, but the vet thinks otherwise so I'm a little worried. The thing she ate was about 75mm long 40mm wide and 15mm thick. It is the 40mm dimension the vet is worried about.

 

[SLACkra]

All the best with your python but I really think you should have immediately forced the snake to regurgitate the item which can be done by manipulating its oesophagus.

how do you do this manipulation?

andrew

 

[olivehydra]

All the best with your python but I really think you should have immediately forced the snake to regurgitate the item which can be done by manipulating its oesophagus.

how do you do this manipulation?

andrew

I tried external manipulation but it had already reached the gut. Forcibly rubbing/massaging against the direction of belly scales will sometimes cause a regurge. I assume that is what Pilbara was referring to, but if there is another method, I too would like to know?

 

[PilbaraPythons]

Andrew
The method I have used was just finding the lump in its stomach and just gently manoeuvre it towards its mouth using both your hands like the little muscles the snake uses to work the item down in the first place. This action requires another person to hold the python while you are doing this. I successfully removed a fluffy toy from the stomach of a scrub python a full 24 hours after consumption and after a the vet had told the person who had the snake the only way was for it to be removed was by surgery. It took all of 2 minutes and the snake was fine.
Cheers Dave

 

[serpenttongue]

Also you can push your thumb firmly into the belly scales, just behind the item and slowly work the item up towards the mouth as you go. Bit tricky to do, as the python tends to tense its gut muscles in objection.

 

[PilbaraPythons]

Thats pretty much how it was done serpenttongue and I was surprised how quickly and easily it was achieved.

 

[olivehydra]

Thats pretty much how it was done serpenttongue and I was surprised how quickly and easily it was achieved.

Dave, I'll give it a go but I cant feel the object, would you suggest starting further than 50% of snout vent length down?
Cheers

 

[olivehydra]

You guys must have some pretty serious hands. Just been massaging the snake so to speak and no go. My hands are cramping and its like steel when she tenses. I think something was moving forward, but as soon as it gets 2 - 3 feet from the head its like hitting a brick wall :wink: I really appreciate the help tho, thanks.