Feeding a Fat Boa?

hylia · 07-12-13, 08:01 PM

Or not feeding?

So, I just got another Hog and I think she is fat. Forgot my camera at the cottage, so I can't get any pics so I will do my best to describe. She looks like a sausage and her tail does not taper off smoothly, her body is thick and goes to a skinny tail. It kind of looks weird, I hope I described that right.

So, my question, how do you put a snake on a diet? Feed regular sized meals less? Feed smaller meals? Don't feed? Once I let her settle, should I redo her vivarium to include more opportunities to climb or something? How would you encourage some exercise? She is about 6ft according to the seller. My male climbs a lot, but not sure if the bigger females tend to.

Thanks for your advice.

(Yes, she is in quarantine. Since people usually seem to ask)

marvelfreak · 07-12-13, 08:10 PM

When was the last time she poop? Kind of sound like she maybe impacted from your description. If it is she just fat i would diffidently put some climbs in. Pictures would so help if you can get some.

hylia · 07-12-13, 08:18 PM

Thanks for the info. What would help with an impaction? A warm bath?

I wouldn't be able to tell you the last time she pooped. I could try to contact the guy who sold her to me, but it was kind of a "just getting rid of the snake" thing, so I don't know if he'll be able to tell me. I will try to get a pic tomorrow if I can find a camera to borrow.

hylia · 07-12-13, 08:25 PM

In the meantime, here is a pic off the net that looks similar to her "rear end".

I don't know how it looks underneath.

Also, when I say she looks like a sausage, I mean she's round all the way around. My others Boas seem to have more flat sides to them. Again, not sure if I am describing correctly.

marvelfreak · 07-12-13, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hylia

Thanks for the info. What would help with an impaction? A warm bath?

I wouldn't be able to tell you the last time she pooped. I could try to contact the guy who sold her to me, but it was kind of a "just getting rid of the snake" thing, so I don't know if he'll be able to tell me. I will try to get a pic tomorrow if I can find a camera to borrow.

Yes a warm bath were she can swim around a bit can really help loosen her up.

marvelfreak · 07-12-13, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hylia

In the meantime, here is a pic off the net that looks similar to her "rear end".

I don't know how it looks underneath.

Also, when I say she looks like a sausage, I mean she's round all the way around. My others Boas seem to have more flat sides to them. Again, not sure if I am describing correctly.

This sound like over fed.

KORBIN5895 · 07-12-13, 09:14 PM

Feed her a small rat once a month. They small rat will kick her metabolism into drive, will have less fat and she will be hungry so she'll be on the hunt more. I would also add the climbs.

Amadeus · 07-12-13, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

Feed her a small rat once a month. They small rat will kick her metabolism into drive, will have less fat and she will be hungry so she'll be on the hunt more. I would also add the climbs.

Agreed. I'd add something but it's covered.

hylia · 07-13-13, 03:16 PM

Thanks for the replies.

smy_749 · 07-13-13, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amadeus

Agreed. I'd add something but it's covered.

So then why did you comment? lollll

Amadeus · 07-13-13, 03:21 PM

If I were op, I'd want to make sure someones statement is valid. By agreeing with Korbin I validated his suggestions somewhat.

smy_749 · 07-13-13, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amadeus

If I were op, I'd want to make sure someones statement is valid. By agreeing with Korbin I validated his suggestions somewhat.

ah ok. Well for the record and more validation, I agree with Korbin too I guess.

hylia · 07-14-13, 05:53 PM

Hi again. I looked her over today, and she does seem to have an impaction. There is some dried fecal matter "peeking" out of her vent. She is very hissy and stressed (understandably so), so I am wondering what to do. Should she be given a nice warm soak right away or should I let her settle before taking her out? I don't want to stress her more than I have to, so I am wondering which is more important. I did put a cat little box of warm water in her viv, but she is does not seem to be going in on her own. Thanks for the advice guys!

Amadeus · 07-14-13, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hylia

Hi again. I looked her over today, and she does seem to have an impaction. There is some dried fecal matter "peeking" out of her vent. She is very hissy and stressed (understandably so), so I am wondering what to do. Should she be given a nice warm soak right away or should I let her settle before taking her out? I did put a cat little box of warm water in her viv, but she is not going in on her own. Thanks for the advice guys!

Give a warm soak and lightly massage her under carriage. Be careful, my dum ia an evil facebiter in the tub. lol

hylia · 07-14-13, 08:05 PM

Hi, I'm back. No luck passing the impaction. She looked like she was trying to push at one point, she gave up. I did my best to massage her gently. When she was trying to push, a bit red bulge came out of her vent, is this really serious? Do I need to see a vet? Do I try another soak tomorrow? I feel really bad for her.

What causes impaction like this? Her viv was bone dry (when I picked her up), is this a factor? If it was bone dry when I went to get her, it was likely like that for awhile too. Her skin is not silky smooth either, compared to my other Boas. On a side note, she is a very sweet girl. A bit hissy and huffy, but she was surprisingly calm.

Thanks for your help.