While handling my corn snake, she threw up a clear liquid. Her last feeding was on Monday and this happened on Saturday, and she has pooped at least once between these two events. This is the first time something like this has happened, so I’m not sure what to do. (I am going to contact my vet.)
4 Likes
Had you given it fresh water recently? They can’t swallow water like we do so if you tip them forward after they drink water/saliva will drain out.
3 Likes
Well first, welcome to the community! You need to provide a bit more info about your girl before anyone can attempt to reply to your question, such as information about her, the husbandry, type of food, feeding ft or live, etc.
Unless someone else can shed some light on this without further info from you……
Best of luck! 
2 Likes
I don’t think so. My current theory is that I applied pressure to the base of her tail and that caused her to panic.
3 Likes
She’s a corn snake I got from a pet smart as a hatchling about two and a half years ago. Normally I feed her frozen-thawed adult mice, but her most recent meal was a small adult (21-25 days old) frozen thawed mouse. I have contacted my vet and expect a response sometime tomorrow.
4 Likes
Ok it sounds like you are doing the right thing by contacting your vet. Other than what @ballornothing suggested, I honestly have not a clue as to what could have caused this event. However, @caryl breeds corns and is quite knowledgeable about them so maybe she can shed some light on this……
3 Likes
Sorry to hear that something is awry with your corn snake. The event you describe is unusual; I haven’t had it happen or heard of it. @solarserpents , how about you?
With all due respect, I don’t think that these things are related. There are creatures who will regurgitate as a defense mechanism, but corn snakes don’t do this. A snake’s digestive tract is, naturally, long. Regurgitation is a more time consuming process for them than vomiting is for us. Startling or frightening your snake cannot cause quick regurgitation.
Whatever the cause, let the snake rest. Make sure it has access to temps of at least 80°F. We can better help you figure it out if we know husbandry details. Temps, bedding, weight of snake, size food, and where it’s fed. Also, it’s overall body condition and whether or not you’ve noticed any changes.
Hopefully this was a weird one-time event. Good luck!
5 Likes
I’ve had it happen. As far as I’m aware, it’s just a ‘water regurge’. It was years ago the last time it happened to one of mine so I can’t remember if it was after they had just taken a drink, but I think I recall that it was. I didn’t do anything special to treat it or anything, so I don’t think you need to be concerned unless it’s recurring or if there are other behaviors that you find concerning.
6 Likes
Details about your temperatures are needed. Inappropriate temps are an extremely common cause of digestion issues. Prey that haven’t fully thawed can also be an issue, but it sounds like you just got a regurge of bile/fluid.
I suspect it may have been as others described- she got handled immediately following a big drink. If her behavior is spot-on normal and she continues to eat, drink, pee, and poo like normal, then you may be in the clear.
You might want to wait just a little longer than normal before feeding her next meal, but I will defer to snake experts and their thoughts about that.
3 Likes
I would. If she’s behaving normally, I’d offer a smaller size than usual with a few extra days between feedings. Anything that comes from the digestive tract will have irritated the esophagus. The snake’s metabolism is much slower than ours, so healing takes longer.
You may want to consider adding a probiotic to her regimen. I give NutriBac to everybody monthly, which my vet loves. Any animal who has a stressor such as breeding, shipping, or a digestive issue gets an extra dose.
4 Likes
How long do you suggest waiting?
4 Likes
As long as she’s behaving normally between feedings, I’d add an extra 2-3 days. If you’re feeding weekly, maybe go 10 days instead for the first offering after this event. If she has no problem after that feeding, I would then go back to her usual schedule.
4 Likes
Thank you, and thanks to everyone else who has offered advice, it has been very helpful.
4 Likes