Boa too skinny?

Mr.Anderson · 06-30-16, 07:35 AM

Hey guys,

I purchased a baby Suriname Redtail boa from underground reptiles late may (Though i highly suspect he's a mix between a BCI and BCC.) I've had him for just over a month now. I waited one week before feeding him the first time but he regurgitated his first meal a couple of days after the feeding. As per instructions i waited 2 weeks and started him on fuzzies which are smaller than regular sized meals for another two weeks and slowly he graduated to eating small mice as per underground reptiles instructions. He's a voracious eater but I still think he's underweight. The main bulk of his body is triangular shaped and i can feel his spine when i'm handling him. He has some loose skin as well. I'm wondering what i should do to rehabilitate him or if there's anything wrong with him. I attached a couple of pics of him for reference.

**Minkness** · 06-30-16, 07:01 PM

He should probably be on rat pups if that's the case. Also, try raising the temps just a bit. Looks thin to me. Also, you may want to get a fecal done. I have heard stories of people getting reptiles with them that have parasites, which would also be a reason for being thin.

travesty · 07-01-16, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

Also, you may want to get a fecal done. I have heard stories of people getting reptiles with them that have parasites, which would also be a reason for being thin.

From what I've heard pretty much all of their animals are wild caught.

zactay22 · 07-01-16, 05:40 AM

Definitely thin, unfortunately underground reptiles is known for this. I hope he pulls through.

SnoopySnake · 07-01-16, 02:11 PM

From these pics the spine looks visible, definitely underweight. Feed smaller meals (About the width of his biggest part) more often, and get a fecal done. If he is eating well but not gaining and looking like that then something is up. Switch to rats ASAP. He should look like a loaf of bread, not a triangle or a circle

Mr.Anderson · 07-02-16, 05:14 AM

Thank you guys. I scheduled a vet appointment for thursday the 7th. Hopefully whatever it is, they can help. Also i've been buying his frozen mice from my local pet store and they don't carry rats. I've looked online and the cost for shipping is super high. Where would you suggest i get rat pups?

Mr.Anderson · 07-02-16, 06:45 AM

This is what i feed him every week(small mouse) now that regurgitation isn't an issue. This was today.

serpentgirl123 · 07-02-16, 07:11 AM

Despite your boa being a bit too thin, he is definitely quite gorgeous! I have no doubt that he will pack on the weight soon.

I don't know where you are located. But if online shipping is too much, especially if you only have 5 or less snakes, I would suggest to see if there is a local reptile expo near you.

I usually pick up feeders there if my online feeder places are low or out on inventory/feeders that I need.

macandchz · 07-02-16, 09:22 AM

maybe you could increase his feeding to a couple of times a week. mac's not a boa but i feed him approx. 2-3 times a week depending on his climbing around looking for food. the mice are med.-large depending on what petco has. he rejects them if he wants but i usually guess right that he's hungry.

bigsnakegirl785 · 07-02-16, 04:40 PM

At his size, mice are appropriate, and will be more nutritious than rats. I wouldn't switch until he's eating jumbo mice that are 25-30+ grams, then get him on weaned rats.

Do not feed more than once a week, getting a fecal done and feeding properly will get him back up to weight. Feeding him a bunch of food multiple times a week or feeding larger prey items can shock his system. Feed appropriate prey items every 7-10 days and he will gain weight with time.

If the fecal comes back with parasites, he isn't going to gain any weight until you get rid of them.

Mr.Anderson · 07-03-16, 07:46 AM

Update: Today he regurgitated his food from yesterday again. That's the second time he's done this in the past month and a half. At this point i'm worried about his survival. I contacted underground reptiles but they won't respond until tuesday. I don't know what i'm supposed to do at this point.

bigsnakegirl785 · 07-03-16, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Anderson

Update: Today he regurgitated his food from yesterday again. That's the second time he's done this in the past month and a half. At this point i'm worried about his survival. I contacted underground reptiles but they won't respond until tuesday. I don't know what i'm supposed to do at this point.

Judging by the feeding photos I'd go down a size, BC(C) aren't supposed to eat as big of meals as B(C)I. He probably regurged because the meal was too large, this species is very delicate when it comes to prey size. Whatever you feed him shouldn't leave any bulge.

What you need to do now is give him 2 weeks before offering any food and you should order some NutriBAC and coat his next 3-4 meals with it and each time you increase the prey size. The NutriBAC should help him increase his gut flora a bit faster.

Albert Clark · 07-03-16, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travesty

From what I've heard pretty much all of their animals are wild caught.

Negative! That's not true. I have sold Underground Reptiles some of my captive bred hatchlings in the past. They definitely have a breeding facility and do produce and buy captive bred animals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zactay22

Definitely thin, unfortunately underground reptiles is known for this. I hope he pulls through.

Also not true. They do have some unfortunate occurrences in the past with dissatisfied customers but they will work to make things right based on their terms of service. I know Rian and he will definitely work to make sure a customer gets satisfied. Underground has a very large inventory of animals and there is inevitably going to be things that go wrong.

**Andy_G** · 07-03-16, 09:38 PM

Underground reptiles deals with everything from CB bred by them all the way to drop shipment imports. That is why they have had issues. Always ask about what you're getting. Not a "bad" company from what i've heard because as Albert said they do have great TOS and will work with you but not first place I'd go if I lived in the U.S.

Those meals are much too large for a BCC. Follow BSG's advice..the only thing I would change is to wait 3 weeks rather than 2.

Ian of Oldham · 07-04-16, 02:23 AM

Your boa look great and hope he is well,