Rosy Boa ill?????

[1mischiefmaker]

My boa hasn't eaten in about 3 weeks. He's never done this before, not even last year at this time. I am not (at least not intentionally) brumating him.

However, other then his eating habits, he has no chest congestion, no bubbling nose, no glassy eyes, and no mites that i can see.

I'm not really sure if i should take him to the vet.

Suggestions please????

Thank you!

[Linds]

What are your temps like? Is the ambient temp dropping lower than usual at night? Subtle changes like these trigger rosies to go off feed. As long as everything else appears well, I wouldn't worry about it. It's that time of year ;) Just keep tabs on his weight, and as long as he's not dropping much its ok. If he does start to lose weight then you may have to seek out a qualified veterinarian.

[Alicewave]

I had my male Rosy go 5 months starting last june without eating. I think it was triggered by some instability in temps when I moved from a place with no central air to a place with it. I monitored his weight and spoke to some vets who saw no need to see him. Finally after about 3.5 months of non-feeding the vet wanted to see him. He found nothing wrong with him but he did tube feed him. After another month he shed. Just after he shed he started eating again. Now he is fine. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just make sure your temps and humidity (40% or less) is right and make sure he has places to hide. Rosies like to feed in private (although mine never really cared) so you could try feeding in a small shoe box or something. Hope this helps! Good luck.

[1mischiefmaker]

errrrrr ~blush~ now i hate to say this, but i don't take the temps regulary. On one side of the tank He's got an under take heating pad (which is working)...the other side is just left to the temperature of the air. I'm in Northern Calif and it's been mild lately about 40 degrees and normally lately i've found Him on the cold side of His cage.

Lastnight i left a mouse in the feeding cage (a different tank) with Him, He still didn't eat it.

I use crushed walnut substrate and He has been doing great with that for months....

Am i doing something wrong????

[Ian]

It's this time of year that males tend not to eat. If there is some drop in temperature then this will cause them to go into brumation. I wouldn't really worry about it, I've had a rosy go off food for 6 months and now, well not eat cause he's just coming out of brumation, but in late June he started eating like a pig.

[Alicewave]

I agree with Ian but start monitoring those temps.

[asphyxia]

they have really good, (I like them) indoor/outdoor LCD thermomitors at radio shack fro between $20.00 and $35.00 CDN maybe jeff is selling them in the store?

Brian

yes..I need a spell checker

[Ian]

A cheaper place is Home Hardware or Walmart, they are only $15 there.

[1mischiefmaker]

you all have been so wonderful, thank you for answering this post.

I will get a thermomoeter....the one side of His cage has the heating pad, the other side has probably gotten to the same temp as the weather which is about 50 degrees. (and He seems to like the cold side right now)...


btw. the mouse was frozen and thawed...He's had no problems taking them before....

[Alicewave]

If he's hanging out in 50 degree temps he's brumating and will not eat. if you want him to eat make sure the temps on the cold side are never less than around 68 otherwise the food will rot and go toxic in his stomach if he eats it.

[1mischiefmaker]

~eyes fly open~ I didn't know that Alicewave, thank goodness the snake is smarter then me and has NOT fed. Do i still keep trying to feed Him everyweek or do i wait until Feb??? ~slightly confused look~

i know i sound like a bad pet owner and i'm so sorry, but i've had Him for a year and He's been healthy as an ox and i've recently moved into cooler weather so i never delt with this before.

[Ian]

well if he's still sitting on the cold side leave him for at least another month and turn off all the heat. That way you know he's been properly cycled and then when you bring him out slowly he should start eating fine.

[Linds]

Just to clarify... are you posting in terms of farenheit or celcius?

[1mischiefmaker]

In Farenheit....

Thank you all for your wonderful instruction! I had really no idea it was so cool anyway that He would start to brumate all by himself! Thank you!!!

[Alicewave]

Check out www.rosyboas.com and www.rosyboa.com for more info on the temps, humidity, housing, brumating etc on these guys. Good luck! They are great animals.