After 1.5 year off food....

[Burgore]

My Macklott's python has been off food for a year and a half now. She has now lost 2lbs since her last meal. My exotic vet didn't know what was wrong with her since he had already cleared her of any medical problems. We used several methods to try to get her back onto a regular feeding schedule but only had negative results (from live feeding to braining, scenting and consistency). Dr. Auger even tried acupuncture treatments which I was reluctant to try but he assured me that it did miracles on various snake cases he's worked on. The acupuncture didn't work either so at this point I was at a lost on what other options I could take without tube or assist feeding her.

To my big surprise she actually took a medium rat last night! 1.5 years and 2lbs later she took the f/t prey with no hesitation. Chicken scent did the trick for her. I had previously tried scenting the rat with natural chicken broth but she wasn't interested at all. So a year after trying the broth I attempted to scent with chicken in a differerent way. I was able to get my hands on chicken feathers which I rubbed all over the prey and stuffed a bunch in the rat's mouth. It took her close to an hour to work on the prey but at least she was successful! Once she striked and started swallowing I gently closed the tub lid and quietly left the room so I don't disturb her. An hour later the prey was gone and she was fiesty as hell! I guess she was craving for another one...

Overall it was one of the most beautiful day of my herping years!!! Such a huge relief!! I was about to loose all hope with her..

Should I be doing anything different with her feeding considering she lost 2lbs or should i just stick with my regular feeding procedures (prey size - frequency)??

Thanks for your input!

And to all those getting worried with similar issues... please stay positive!! There could be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!!!

Here she is!

[RandyRhoads]

That is amazing. Good job not giving up!

And lucky you having such a caring vet. I have to push mine to do anything...even fecal tests...

[thinkbig317]

Wow Burgore!!!! CONGRATS!!!! Must be a HUGE relief! Can't even imagine!!! Such awesome news.....;)

[EL Ziggy]

Congrats Burgore! That is WONDERFUL NEWS! I guess I can breathe a little easier now as I was worried about my Cal King who hasn't eaten in a little over 5 weeks. I can't imaging 1.5 years of that stress. Great job getting him to eat. I hope your python is back on the right track.

[Donnie]

what a relief for you, glad she eventually ate and this must give hope for many others

[formica]

that is a loooong time! wow. good to hear :)

[drumcrush]

Wow that's awesome! Nice to hear!

[LiL Zap]

I couldn't imagine going through that man. My corn refused food for a month before when she was a baby and I was freaking out lol. She has never refushed a meal since.

[TheFrogman]

WOW ! A year and a half? OMG ! Great to hear she ate.

[MM1]

Great to hear. I know the anxiety. My Haitian Boa once refused for 14 months; never discovered anything wrong during that whole time.... very stressful. That was over 25 years ago and he's about 33 now so I guess it did no harm. Hope yours keeps eating and enjoys good health and longevity.

[Sharlynn93]

and I have been stressing about 5 weeks...more so because she hasn't eaten since I acquired her, I guess...

[BryanB]

So what was she before losing the 2 lbs must be of good size to last that long many smaller snakes would not have survived that long. I have heard of Burma going a solid 2 years with minimal loss as well but glad she has eaten and hope it is a trend.

[Terranaut]

Awesome news. I think you win for longest fasting snake hands down ;)

[shaunyboy]

Awesome news. I think you win for longest fasting snake hands down ;)

^^^^^
this

i had a Carpet hatchling that went 10 month before her feeding kicked in,she has never missed a feed since

good thread mate,thanks for sharing

cheers shaun

[SnoopySnake]

Thats a long time to go without food.. Snakes are such amazing creatures. Congrats on finally getting her to eat!:)

[Hurrok]

I would be freaking out in that situation, but I'm glad she finally ate for you! Now you can breathe :)

[Burgore]

Thanks a lot for your kind words guys!! She took another one yesterday without hesitation again! She used to be 9lbs.. she was getting pretty lethargic at the end. But eversince her last meal, she is a totally different snake. It seems like she is much more eager to live. It makes me feel like she is a new acquisition to me.

@ Terranaut: Thanks for the award loll.. But hopefully I won't be nominated for too many of those.. Wayyyy too stressful for me haha
The award should be given to my girl for coming around in such a positive way! She won a lifelong supply of juicy rodents and chicks! haha

[Pirarucu]

My carpet did this once as well, though I did not track just how long it was. It would seem that providing him with unusually high basking temperatures did the trick for mine.