Did Amy Hognose Snake have a heart attack?

[Catherine]

The thing about Hognose Snakes is that they fake dying if something startles them. They thrash around very dramatically and roll over and pretend to be dead. It is scary to see it happen even if you know they fake death.

I had been feeding my snakes and I was pretty much done. I had just fed Amy Hognose snake and she was really excited about eating. And then she reacted. She dropped the food. She couldn't seem to breath and the colour inside her mouth went dusky blue-grey (it should be pink). She looked like she was in pain. She looked like she was having a heart attack. It wasn't so much dramatic as it was intense. At one point I thought I had lost her. She lost consciousness for a while. She is awake now, but very quiet. She lay with her head on my hand so long my fingers were numb. She doesn't seem quite right, but she is breathing normally and I think she is comfortable.

So was Amy faking? She really looked like she was having a heart attack. It wasn't dramatic like when they are faking.  She is at least 11 and I have had her 8 years so she is not a young snake. I have never seen a snake have a heart attack. It does fit what I have seen with other animals having heart attacks.
So I have no idea if she will recover or if she will fade  away.

Amy is a funny little girl and it was love at first sight when I saw her. Her nickname is Amiable. She is usually all hissy and huffy and then when I pick her up she is sweet and loveable. She sat on my lap a lot when she was pregnant. I think she did have a heart attack, I just hope that whatever happens it is peaceful for her. I am glad I was there with her.