B12 Dosing for Non-Feeders

[CamHanna]

I have a non-feeding mud snake (170 grams) that needs to be tubed. I would like to include some B12 to encourage feeding later but have been unable to find anything helpful about the recommended dose for snakes or any risks associated with an over-dose. I am planning to use the Jamieson 1200mcg human supplement.

Also, if anyone has experience with Farancia I'd love to hear about it.

Any help is appreciated
Thanks

Cam

[chas*e]

What symptoms is the snake showing to make you feel that it needs tubing ??
If it is dehydrated put it in Pedilite or Gatoraide....Is it a WC ?

[CamHanna]

It is WC. It has not eaten since Sept. 12, '04 when I got it. It was slender when I got it and was quite skinny after two months of not feeding so I tubed it. Now, a month later, it is again dangerously thin. I realize that tube-feeding is stressful however in this situation it is being used for the sole purpose of preventing the snake from starving to death.

Thank You

[BWSmith]

Mud Snakes are never good captives. They will NOT take rodents in captivity for long or at all. In the wild, they feed primarily on amphiumas and sirens. Is it refusing them? Frogs and salamanders may also work. Bottom line is that it will never eat if you don't give it what it wants. I see no point in giving B12 if youdont have appropriate prey. If you DO have amphiumas, then i can help a bit with dosage of B12.

It just makes me mad seeing Muds and Rainbows in captivity since 99.9% will die promptly. There are very few people that have the resources to properly care for them. Not coming down on you as much as it may seem, I am more angry that someone would actually SELL them.

[CamHanna]

I do have Amphiuma but they are not appropriatly sized for feeders. I have unsuccessfully tried scenting frogs, fish, mice and worms with them. Hopefully with some B12 it will be more interested in alternative prey. Also, it is a western which, from my reading, are more inclined to take non-Amphiuma prey.

Thanks
Cam

[BWSmith]

Are they too large or too small?

[chas*e]

I wasn't kidding about putting the snake in a plastic container with an inch of Gatoraide or Pedialite...I use this method for all my new WC venomous snakes and non-ven..it hydrates them and keeps them alive and strong until they eat on their own....snakes can go a long while without eating, months and months...so try this if you like ..can't hurt and is not stressful besides as BW said those snakes are hard to keep alive initially

[CamHanna]

The amphiuma are too large. I am reluctant to cut them into smaller pieces because I am not certain that they would be accepted and also because Amphiuma are difficult to obtain in Ontario and I would much rather keep it live for scenting.

The snake is drinking voluntarily so I am not worried about dehydration, even so, an electrolyte solution would likely be a good idea. My main concern is actual sustenance. This snake has not eaten voluntarily for the three months that I have had is and was thin when I got it. Also, it recently recovered from a case of blisters (common with muds) and could likely use some extra energy. Perhaps a bit of glucose and multivitamin could be added to water as well?

Thanks again for all your help.
Cam

[BWSmith]

So you have the correct prey, but won't use it because you are not "certain" it would be taken? The amphiuma is a prey item. You got it knowing that you would be killing it. Euthenize it and cut off an appropriately size piece. Throw the rest in the freezer. The poor little snake is starving to death and you have what it needs right there. JUST FEED THE SNAKE. If it doesn't work, THEN you consider other options.