Snake Hasn’t Eaten In 13 Months - Page 2

NJHerp · 04-30-16, 06:27 AM

UPDATE 4/30/16 After going back and forth with the gut wrenching decision of putting him down I went one last time to the vet for a tube feed late March. The vet and I decided that we would put him down in May. Would you believe after 19 months HE ATE!.

I offered up a substantially smaller rat than usual as I have been doing (used to feed him jumbo, this was a medium). It sat in his enclosure all night and all morning until I was about to throw the rat out and leave the house when out of nowhere he started eating.

It's been a week since and he's kept it down. My vet and I are SUPER shocked. We are still both concerned that his blood work didn't look great, but it's a glimpse of hope. The doctor wants him to eat 1-2 more times then we can do a fecal test and more blood work to re-evaluate his condition to go from there.

Thank goodness I held on while the doctor and everyone else told me for months to put him down.

Sylphie · 04-30-16, 06:38 AM

So glad to hear that! I can only imagine how happy and relieved you are

Hope it'll be all good from now on, and a lot of good luck for you and your boy!

macandchz · 04-30-16, 01:44 PM

they probably can't get the blood because he is so dehydrated. that's how it works with people. after a few more tube feedings it should be easier to collect the blood. hope things start to turn around.

Albert Clark · 04-30-16, 03:03 PM

Wow! Congrats and i hope his bloodwork and fecal test come back normal. Phew!

RAD House · 05-01-16, 12:37 PM

I am sure you know this or the vet told you but snakes take in water through their cloaca as well. If you are concerned about him being dehydrated leaving him in a warm water bath for a hour or so can help.

Albert Clark · 05-01-16, 02:57 PM

THIS ^ ^ ^ ^ ^. Absolutely. Good point MC!

NJHerp · 05-01-16, 10:27 PM

I should add we ended up getting blood through the heart a while back. I forgot to update. Blood values were all off due to not eating so long. That's why we want to re-check now if he starts eating steadily.

macandchz · 05-02-16, 07:30 AM

DEAR NJ sounds like some progress is being made. can't believe he ate. maybe things will turn around now.

Karilyne · 05-16-16, 12:13 AM

So scary! Hopefully you see a big turn around in his feeding behaviors. Please keep us updated!

NJHerp · 06-04-16, 07:36 AM

UPDATE 6/4/16 Very glad to say he ate his 5th rat yesterday. He's even eating more frequently now than he was before he was sick! Poor guy was so emaciated that even with 5 rats in him you can barely tell a difference in his body mass. I can't wait to have him back to his fat sausage blood self. Thanks guys for all the kind words and advice. I will continue to update his progress to everyone in the community.

brandonh · 06-08-16, 01:12 PM

Very Happy everything fell into place for you and your buddy! i can't believe 19 months that is crazy that he would just randomly grab a rat after that long. Very glad hear he is eating now! must post pics when he is back to sausage status!