At wits end :(

[unknownclown]

So we got 2 baby BPs from the pet store for $30 each when asked why they were cheaper than the rest we were told that it is because they hadnt gotten them to eat. Well... its been probably about a little over month now and the poor babies look terrible and its breaking my heart.
I have tried live fuzzy mice, ft fuzzies, pinky rats both live and thawed. I have tried feeding them in thier tanks so I wouldnt disturb them and I have also tried in a paper bag over night. Never have I had this kind of problem before.
My other BPs did go off food at times I know its to be expected and I wouldnt stress it if one of them wasnt looking deflated from not eating. Im worried but we dont have any decent herp vets here. Anyone have any suggestions? I really couldnt stand to lose them... Guess I should learn my lesson on buying snakes that dont have the propper start on life but more than likely I will do it again out of feeling bad for the babies...

[stephanbakir]

Are the temps and humidity ok? Any pics so we can understand "look terrible" knowing how they look can help us help you.
are they in a high traffic are of the house? direct sunlight?

[unknownclown]

No direct sunlight and away from traffic in the home I willl take pics when I get home from work which should be in a couple of hours

[stephanbakir]

alright, hmm. Hides in warm+ cold end? proper humidity +temp?

[ilovemypets1988]

if the worse comes to the worse, then unfortunately, you will have to consider assist feeding, i aint gunna explain it fully as ive never had to do it myself but i will explain the basics (as i understand it):

assist feeding is where you put the feed animal into the mouth to give the snake a taste of it.

or you could:

brain the mouse;
this is where you make a cut in the mouses or rats skull exposing the brain matter which should instigate the natural kill and eat behaviour (but please dont do this to a live animal - kill it first)

if these things dont work, theres only 2 other solutions:

1.) force feed the snake (sending the feed animal down the throat by hand - i dont like the process myself but sometimes it has to be done)

2.) the final resort,
now before i say this, just thinking about it makes me upset but if nothing else can be done, then:
euthanize the snakes and put an end to the suffering (sorry if this offends anyone - its not meant to)

[SpOoKy]

Brain the rats, heat up some chicken broth and dip the rats in the warm broth. Works 99.2% of the time.

[stephanbakir]

Thems schientific percentages right there!

[marionsclan]

I'm concerned about the chicken broth because the sodium is in the hundreds and I've heard that salt can kill snakes.

[stephanbakir]

Make your own

[TeaNinja]

i love homemade chicken broth lol, and homemade gravy and mashed potatoes.......*drool*

[marionsclan]

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

Make your own

That's a lot of chicken broth just to dip one rodent in it and it only lasts so long. Prolly need to think of a more practical method.

[stephanbakir]

I have a practical method, think of something to make for dinner that involves chicken broth, and eat it once a week until the snake eats.

[TeaNinja]

i was totally about to say, eat chicken soup for dinner lol

[NennaMeerkat]

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

I have a practical method, think of something to make for dinner that involves chicken broth, and eat it once a week until the snake eats.

God and there are SO many good things you can eat chicken and chicken broth with/in.

Seriously though...if you want to get these snakes to eat I think it would be worth "wasting" chicken and broth for. I know I have "wasted" money at one time or another for all of my animals...its just worth it to see them eating and not dying.

[marionsclan]

Yeah about that.... liking it? Not so much.