Bitis rhinoceros birth and complication

I have posted this on another forum but thought it might be of interest. It took place on the 01-2-2009. I would like your views on it and I will need further advice on current issues. This is a very good forum with loads of knowledge which I will learn a lot from.

Just some history. This was my first CBB Gaboon and she was a stunner. She was a bit over 1,3m.
Bitis rhinoceros birth and complication Gab

Bitis rhinoceros birth and complication Gab

I bred her and was lucky enough to witness courtship almost immediately. Sorry but loss pics with phone.

She had a lot of difficulty in giving birth as the babies only came every 20 min to an hour. I got out 8 live beauties, 1 stillborn, 1 deformed, 1 premature and a eyeless baby.

Bitis rhinoceros birth and complication Stills

Bitis rhinoceros birth and complication Stills

Pitty this one didn't make it as the stomach ruptured and while repairing it died
Bitis rhinoceros birth and complication Noeyes

She was still trying to get out a slug so I took her to the vet where she got a shot of oxitocina to help here pass it. A day or two later she died. I was so broken up about it. I wished I never tried breeding her but sometime these things just happen.

Here are the pics of the autopsy
1 Slug left in oviduct
Bitis rhinoceros birth and complication Resizeof4-1

Bitis rhinoceros birth and complication Resizeof4-1

To my horror the other oviduct.
Bitis rhinoceros birth and complication Resizeof5

Gelatinous mass of babies
Bitis rhinoceros birth and complication Resizeof3

Close up on putrid mass
Bitis rhinoceros birth and complication Resizeof2

No words for this pic!
Bitis rhinoceros birth and complication Resizeof1

We came to the conclusion that she died from septicemia. That mass was blocking her up and then infection set in. Some of the bits we got out were rotten babies. There were 21 fully formed babies and some parts of others. I recall there being about 3-4 more eyeless.

I learned a hard lesson here in that I should have taken her for a scan and operated. I could have saved here and maybe even some babies.

Good news is that her babies are going well and I have kept back 5 of them. They remind me of her every day. I will get some other pics of babies and others when I can.

Sorry for your loss Björn.
It was such a nice beauty.
I hope the little snappers made it through and wish you all the best with them.

Regards

Sascha

This is a good photo-essay, Mr. Unger. Thank you for posting it. While it is unfortunate that the project was not a complete success, it still contributes to a body of knowledge that is valuable and helpful to all snake keepers. Good luck with the remaining neonates. Sincerely, Jon Davidson .

Thanks for posting that. I'm sorry it all had to happen, but I'm sure a lot of us appreciate you being able to take pics and explain what happened instead of just tossing her in the freezer or something.
As for wishing you never bred her, don't be so hard on yourself. You had no way of knowing that there'd be complications, and things happen. I'm glad you were able to get some good babies from her though and glad to hear they're still going strong.

Thanks a lot for sharing this.

Thanks for the sympathies and comments guys.

I posted it because I thought is can help others.

Mike I know I couldn't have known but I would rather have her than 8 babies. She was just my favorite snake in my collection. I have a few more interesting stories but all bad. I went through a stage where snakes were dieing from cancer and all types of things out of my control. I can post them at some stage but not something I like to remember. Don't get me wrong I have had some great successes.

Do any of you think the eyeless babies were a genetic thing or just deformity due to some other factors? He was a really amazing looking animal but very skittish. shame.

Sorry for your loss but your post may help others. One comment. Your female was carrying a lot of excess fat. This may have complicated the pregnancy. Most stored fat should be used up during the gestation period. It is really easy to overfeed eager eaters. Maybe other will comment?
Best wishes
Bob

I see also adipose tissues. But thats no diagnosis only some subjective impressions. Don't think that it's the cause of death, for my part. Some females aren't made for this. Sorry about that!

Thanks for the comments guys. The vet said that she had a health reserve of fat. I also only fed here every 3-4 weeks a jumbo rat or so. She was also feeding until the last 2-3 months months. The fat reserves were white where the yellow fats are more a sign of being unhealthy. I stand to be corrected.

Jonas, I know what you mean. There were apparently a few cases in 2009 with complications and I know a guy who lost his Berg adder and found 5 fully formed babies inside.

Trully a sad situation. All those dead snakes. Soppy for your loss.

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