Off of Death's Door Step

[jwsporty]

Hey folks,

6 weeks ago I picked up a rather skinny High Yellow BP from the local pet store for 30 bucks (cost, came from Captive Hatched stock). This little girl was severely dehydrated and in need of some help. Heavy ridging on the body and lethargic. Even though I knew this may be a one way ticket, I took a chance to try and save her. Since that day, she has received pedialyte treatments and an injection of baby food via tube feeds. So far so good and her ridging is just about gone and their has been no regurging. Her stools are firming up and today I'll try an assist feed to see if she holds it down.

Last week, I did an assist feed (F/T pinkies,F/T Hopper,then another F/T pinky) on one of the other CH babies who was showing signs and she has taken to it nicely. Yesterday she took her first hopper (albeit Live) on her own, so she should be on her way. Yeah I know, I am not a big fan of live but this is special circumstances.

Neither one of them is out of the woods yet but they are well on their way.

The third in this group started to eat on his own (again live right now) and has eaten for me twice now. Today we try Fresh Kill, hot headed,brained and chicken brothed. If that doesn't work then a live followed by a fresh kill. He is putting on the meat nicely.

The moral of the story, those considering ranch stock, do so with your eyes wide open, they can be very difficult to get feeding. Yes they can be priced well (typically 60.00 in the pet store) but realize that their is a risk. IMHO, Ball Pythons should not be considered a "beginners snake". I knew this and took these guys on as special projects. So far I am happy with the results but time will tell.

Jim

[Invictus]

Best of luck Jim. That is so awesome that she has someone responsible and knowledgeable to care for it, and it's great what you're doing for her.

[Colonel SB]

Right on Jim congrats on hopefully saving them...keep us updated.

[jwsporty]

Well the update didn't take long.

This morning I gently put a pinky in her mouth, (she actually opened her mouth quite easily, guess she knew I was there to help) and initially she spat it out. I then did it a second time and this time she decided to work it in herself, when she got close to the end I simply lined up an F/T Juvi mouse and she just kept on gobbling, I followed that one with a another pinky and voila..fully belly..none the worse for wear and the first time she has some "real" food in her belly. Now we will sit tight and see if she keeps it down.

Jim

[Colonel SB]

Best of luck Jim!

[tHeGiNo]

Congrats! One step at a time, your doing a great job. Hoping you got past the first milestone and they will be eating on their own. Great job.

[marisa]

Good luck! I hope it goes well for you and she starts eating on her own soon. It's so worriesome!!!

Marisa

[dfitzsim]

Let us know how it works out.

[Bencb3]

i hope everything turns out for the best for u! Best of luck

[jwsporty]

Thanks folks,
I will be posting updates as they come. Now if only I could have such success with one of my Kenyan Sand Boas..he is so tiny..don't know if this one is going to make it. He was a freebie and this is a last ditch attempt. My other Sand Boa is eating like a champ

[jwsporty]

Well I made it through a successful 2nd assist feed and the results are definitely showing, now I will leave her alone for a couple of weeks and see if we can get her going on her own. Here's some pics, I wish I had taken the before pics, as she was REALLY skinny, not much bigger then a pen with skin hanging off of her. The difference has been quite dramatic. Anyhow....here we go....

[jwsporty]

Hey look dad got me all fixed...;)

[jwsporty]

top shot

[jwsporty]

And finally a close-up side body shot

[BoidKeeper]

Wow Jim she looks great! Job well done man! The post were very well written and detailed too. No question she's a female just look at that lack of tail eh! Must feel good. Now let's hope everything works out with the sandy!
Cheers,
Trevor

[jwsporty]

Albeit the wrong forum, for this pic, this is the KSB that was given to me on a last ditch attempt. He was obtained at the same time and has undergone similar treatment to the BP. Last night I was lucky enough to have both of them out at the same time and they were both due for a feed. The problem baby is the one on the bottom. The pinkies are rat. The top one eats like a champ with no problems and is currently eating every 5-7 days.

The one on the bottom made a valiant effort but unfortunately the food item was just a little too big for him to get down. But he sure tried. :) I will be giving him a mouse pinky this evening, but this was a major accomplishment as this is the first time he has shown a solid feeding response in 10 weeks. Guess the tube feeds of baby food helped..;)

[jwsporty]

Here's another

[bulls eye ball]

hey i have faith in you. i think you can do it best of luck .bullseyeball73

[jwsporty]

Well folks,
This evening marked a milestone in this feeding program with the BP. After trying for three hours, of different sizes, hot heading, chicken broth, braining, bumping, mouse dancing and generally, trying my patience, I decided to do another assist feed. However, with little more then a gently opening of the mouth, she finally started chomping down on some real food. And then with enthusiasm, she just kept on going..first a mouse fuzzy, then a mouse adult and then finishing off with a rat fuzzy..she's looking better then ever and I am hoping to get her going on her own by next week. Frankly I think she just likes the attention. ;). Two days ago I spent two hours pulling off a bad shed, piece by piece by piece..


The KSB on the other hand isn't looking too good and I am not holding out much hope for survival.

Well that's the update for this week

Take care

Jim :)