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Ate aspen... ugh

J

JoshuaNeff

New member
So I was feeding the little guy today, on his flat rock where there is no substrate and for some reason he took off with the pinkie over the newspaper to a pile of aspen. When he ate the pinkie, he also ate a shaving of aspen with it.

Anything special I should do? This is the first time I've used aspen for reptiles, and always have used newspaper/carpet/etc.

Just don't touch him or anything for a while and keep a close eye for lumps showing impaction?
 
I'm hoping others will be better able to respond to your problem. I've heard that many snakes have passed small pieces of aspen without any problems, but have also heard horror stories of impaction. Since I only use newspaper, plus usually feed in a separate container anyway, I've personally never had to deal with this problem.
 
Is this shredded aspen (small pieces like parts of a toothpick) or aspen shavings? Larger pieces are more likely to cause a an impaction problem than smaller pieces. Most people actually use shredded aspen (which is what I talk about below), but I'm not sure what you use based on your previous terminology.

Usually, nothing'll happen unless it was a small snake and a large quantity. It'll usually just pass right out, so watch that the snake defecates normally and doesn't seem to develop any odd lump. In the unlikely case (which is a way of saying this DOES happen!), impaction will occur. Usually, this means you've got time to get it to the vet if self-remedies don't work. I wouldn't worry about that by borrowing trouble until you se if there IS a problem or not, though.

Just watch the snake, make sure it defecates normally, and you'll most likely be fine. keep your eyes open for bleeding from the vent, too, in case there is some tearing that happens from the pieces of wood.
 
For future feedings place the snake in a rubbermaid container or kritter keeper with no substrate. If it's really small it might pass. If not then there might be some problems.
 
When I got my first baby corn, I had that happen, too. I rushed her right back to the pet store, and they told me to just let her pass normally. I did, and she was absolutely fine. You'll notice that the poo might look a little "grainier" than usual, especially if it was a small snake.
I haven't had a problem from substrate ingestion in 3 years, but that doesn't mean that there aren't problems to be concerned about. Just know that they're rather rare.
 
JoshuaNeff said:
So I was feeding the little guy today, on his flat rock where there is no substrate and for some reason he took off with the pinkie over the newspaper to a pile of aspen. When he ate the pinkie, he also ate a shaving of aspen with it.

Anything special I should do? This is the first time I've used aspen for reptiles, and always have used newspaper/carpet/etc.

Just don't touch him or anything for a while and keep a close eye for lumps showing impaction?
Click to expand...

I was told to feed in a separate container and not in the cage. I use a Rubbermaid shoebox thing. No substrate in it.
 
I wouldn’t worry about it. Heck I drank fuzzies once and it didn’t hurt me. Just chase it down with large quantities of tequila and everything will be fine.
 
I have had horror stories with mine, so I use newspaper now, But I now only feed in seperate containers.
 
I never, ever feed my snake in his home for this very reason. I use a Rubbermaid plastic shoe box right now for feeding! I will move him to the 10 gallon viv (his old house) when he gets better!

I know this doesn't help you now.....but it is something for you to consider for next time!

Hope everything works out for your little guy/gal!
 
He should be fine. Keep in mind that in the wild they don't have newspaper lined rubbermaid containers to eat on. They eat on dirt, leaves, whatever else, and the wild snakes seem to do just fine. Keep an eye on him, but all should be well.
 
wade said:
I wouldn’t worry about it. Heck I drank fuzzies once and it didn’t hurt me. Just chase it down with large quantities of tequila and everything will be fine.
Click to expand...

LMAO.

To the OP: Just keep a close eye on the snake and hopefully everything will pass within a few days.
 
I usually feed him on a large rock hide, on only newspaper... but theres a pile of aspen shavings (very, very thin and easy to break- why i got it over the other kinds) on the other end. He took off with the pinkie for some reason. I think i'll just put in a plexiglass divider in for feeding from now on.

I actually dont know if he 100% ate it, he started too and then hide under his 2nd hide.
=\

:::shrugs:::
 
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