advice needed!!!!

[tammie]

i have an albino burmeses python which i rescued two years ago. he came to me with respiratory problems. it took many months and alot of treatment to finally get rid of his cold. he hadnt eaten for over 6months. he then started to eat again but not very well. he then decided not to eat again for 6 months and the cold returned but no way as bad. he has now started to eat again but i am still worried. he will only eat rats and will only eat one item. its like once the smell of the first rat has been in the enclosure, he cant then find where the overs are (even if you put it right in front of him) i am getting very worried as he is not putting on any weight and am worried that he will go through his not eating stage again????

[ChunkyMunky]

Try this. Give him a rat, and when he is almost finished gentley start pushing another rat in is mouth, he has no choice but to continue swallowing. This is called power feeding, alot of people do it to get their reptiles to breeding size in a shorter period of time. Most people are against it, as it is not healthy, i am one of them, but in your case it may be needed. Do this with 2-3 rats, i wouldnt go past 3. Believe me burms CAN EAT! What are your temps, maybe to low? A small increase of temperatures can actually help with the cold and maybe even prevent another. Good luck and take care.

Dan.

[Samba]

Keep him warm, and personally, I'd reduce the humidity a little, as this seems to perpetuate the return of respiratory infections in Burms. Power-feeding is ok, if you feel comfortable doing it. I personally would start small (two large rats, if your snake is that big), and gradually increase. Too much food at one time after a period of fasting can sometimes lead to regurgitation. I also suggest you take it to a vet because there may be underlying health problems that are causing it to have a low prey drive/appetite.

Just a question... are you feeding live, F/K or F/T? How big is your burm (length.weight); and how often are you attempting to feed it? You answer on these questions can provide some useful information... Good Luck!

[Jayson]

I know that my burm will not eat if the temps get too cold, which coincidently (sp) is the same thing that causes RI!!
So check your temps (if you have not already) The warm spot for a burm with RI should be around 95-100