burm feeding problem..

[justinO]

Alright.. i've been waiting since the beginning of september for Summer, my 4' female albino burm to start eating.. she'll hit, constrict and kill prey (live or f/t) .. but she will not eat. her mouth doesn't have any signs of problems.. so i see no reason why she shouldn't be eating like a pig.

i'm going to offer her food one last time.. and if she doesnt eat it, im thinking about tube feeding as shes getting really skinny and her back end is getting really thin.

what does one put in the feed mixture? whole prey? small chunks of beef with vitamin/calcium suppliment? I've got a friend who has tube fed in the past, so he'll help me make sure i dont hurt her.

of course, i'm more then willing to listen to other suggestions on what to try on her.

so far, ive tried live, fresh killed, frozen thawed rats.. live gerbils, scented live, frozen, fresh killed.. I've exhausted everything i can think of.

thoughts?
Justin

[rmestre]

I would take summer to a qualified vet. 5 months is a long time for a burm. Im not sure when you got her, has she eaten at all since you have had her? Has she used the bathroom?

Tube feeding may or may not work to stimulate natural feeding. Considering the amount of snakes you have Im sure you have temps and humity correct.

Have you tried putting the snake in a small container or pillowcase with the feed animal. Sometime snakes can become shy about eating for no apparent reason at all.

Is there a chance that she may have ingested something hard, stones, bedding, or anything like that. Intestinal blockage can also cause a snake to stop feeding.

Has she been drinking? You may want to put her in a warm bath for 30 minutes or more. This will stimulate her digestive system.

Please let me know how things turn out for you and her!

[justinO]

UPDATE: Summer finially gave in and ate a button quail.

and no, no chance of impaction. shes been on newspaper and paper towel/regular towel. She's been drinking water.

Thanks for the suggestions, they are greatly appreciated.

cheers,
Justin

[rmestre]

Great to hear Justin! Im glad everything workd out.

[BellyDraggers]

hey i thought you told me my button quail was going to a loving home!?! LOL joking

Glad to hear she ate..

Scotty & Les

[justinO]

Yes scotty.. loving home it sure is.. it just happens to be in the stomach of a snake that lives in a loving home :P

thanks again bud.