Regurg #4

phenyx · 07-10-18, 03:04 PM

I just want to cry.

This was his first feed post regurg #3. I let the prey item soak in hot water for 20 minutes so I know it wasn't too cold in the middle.

I know he's got to be suffering. How long do I let this go on?

JessterK · 07-10-18, 10:43 PM

What are you feeding him? I had one regurge two weeks after getting my month old boa. I was feeding him 1 fuzzy mouse a week. I talked to my neighbor who has been keeping boas for 20 years. He said the husbandry was fine but to try switching to pinky rats. His thought was that maybe he was having a hard time digesting the fur. I did this after going for 2 weeks without feeding him. Two months and multiple feedings later, no more regurg. That’s just my experience and yours may be totally different, but I really hope your little guy pulls through. I’m a new snake owner and am also having other problems, I know it’s stressful.

craigafrechette · 07-11-18, 07:26 AM

I'm so sorry to read this. Man, you can't catch a break with this guy, huh?
I really hope things get better for you and your snake

phenyx · 07-11-18, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JessterK

What are you feeding him? I had one regurge two weeks after getting my month old boa. I was feeding him 1 fuzzy mouse a week. I talked to my neighbor who has been keeping boas for 20 years. He said the husbandry was fine but to try switching to pinky rats. His thought was that maybe he was having a hard time digesting the fur. I did this after going for 2 weeks without feeding him. Two months and multiple feedings later, no more regurg. That’s just my experience and yours may be totally different, but I really hope your little guy pulls through. I’m a new snake owner and am also having other problems, I know it’s stressful.

I'm honestly at a loss at this point. I've been feeding him f/t mouse pinks and fuzzies. I offered him a 3 gm fresh killed peach fuzzy at 10 days post regurg (because by then he'd lost 3 grams so I didn't want to wait any longer) but he ignored it.

A BRB breeder I wrote to said that pinks are probably too small to attract his notice, so at 14 days PR I offered him a 5 gram f/t fuzzy which he ate, but then regurged 4 days later. I'm not sure it would be a good idea to try and switch prey species at this point. Dave C. also suggested lowering the temperature of his hot spot, which I did.

I've ordered some NutriBACdf from Amazon to try and replenish his gut biome at his next feeding, but he's so fussy I'm not sure he'll eat anything dusted with an unfamiliar substance.

JessterK · 07-11-18, 03:49 PM

If mouse pinkies are too small to get his notice, maybe try rat pinkies? That's what I did, they are about the same size as fuzzy mice but without the fur to digest. I know you don't want to switch prey species, but if all else fails...

bigsnakegirl785 · 07-11-18, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phenyx

I'm honestly at a loss at this point. I've been feeding him f/t mouse pinks and fuzzies. I offered him a 3 gm fresh killed peach fuzzy at 10 days post regurg (because by then he'd lost 3 grams so I didn't want to wait any longer) but he ignored it.

A BRB breeder I wrote to said that pinks are probably too small to attract his notice, so at 14 days PR I offered him a 5 gram f/t fuzzy which he ate, but then regurged 4 days later. I'm not sure it would be a good idea to try and switch prey species at this point. Dave C. also suggested lowering the temperature of his hot spot, which I did.

I've ordered some NutriBACdf from Amazon to try and replenish his gut biome at his next feeding, but he's so fussy I'm not sure he'll eat anything dusted with an unfamiliar substance.

When I had Morzan, he was really picky about the NutriBAC-dusted pinks. I dusted it as lightly as I could by patting the mouse dry and rolling it through a pile of the dust. Oftentimes, he would still refuse it, so if he didn't immediately take it I'd re-dip the head in warm water from the tap. He usually took it after that. Perhaps this will help you as well if he does give you problems.

All that aside, I'm sorry you're having to deal with this.

phenyx · 07-11-18, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JessterK

If mouse pinkies are too small to get his notice, maybe try rat pinkies? That's what I did, they are about the same size as fuzzy mice but without the fur to digest. I know you don't want to switch prey species, but if all else fails...

So, after another email exchange with Dave C. at RrU I have a new plan. He too suggested switching to rat pinks (dusted with NutriBACdf) and also waiting 3 weeks instead of 2 before attempting another feeding.

I'm still not sure if he'll take a rat pink but, having the suggestion come from more than one place has convinced me that it's worth a shot. So that's what I'm going to do.