why isn't she eating?

sapphire_moon · 07-27-03, 11:15 PM

I wanted to ask all the experienced herpers their opinons on why my bp isn't eating. Temps are right, she's thermoregulating, active at night, asleep during the day, no mites ticks or parasites, she's CH......But when I assist fed her (tiny bits of mouse meat, about the size of pencil erasers) she kept it down......But keeps refusing meal after meal.. I am going to try her on a live rat pup this coming week. She doesn't seem stressed. Her humidity is fine.....any opinions/ thoughts would be appreciated.....!!!!!

Linds · 07-27-03, 11:29 PM

Well you have only had her for a fwe weeks. It is still very soon. Assist feeding and force feeding should only be used as a last resort, when the snake is too skinny. Snakes can go a long time without food, a few weeks is nothing, even in babies. Snakes don't go off feed for political reasons, they are either not hungry or they are stressed due to illness, husbandry, or just general environment. Refusal to feed is a big indicator of stress. Forcefeeding and assist feeding in balls can make feeding problems even worse. These snakes are very timid. Also, when assist-feeding, unless you are feeding a hatchling corn, you don't feed tiny peices of rodent. You feed them adult rodents, you just place the head in the snakes mouth and let the snake do the rest. What was she feeding on before you got her? Was she feeding at all for them? Also, if she was feeding on dead prey you do not want to try her back on live again. Patience is key with these snakes, which is why I don't recommend them as first time snakes. I have one baby here that didn't take her first meal until she was 3 months old

Sometimes CH balls can be real finicky. I would too if I got shipped halfway around the world in a crowded crate and then to this place and that! Even though all her requirements may be met, she may still be stessed and refusing food. Its important to refrain from handling her until she is feeding steadily for you as well. Good luck with your little girl.

sapphire_moon · 07-27-03, 11:40 PM

Thanks, I had her covered for a while, she doesn't seem to be that stressed! She cruises around at night, and sleeps during the day. At night she likes to hang out on top of her hides. *shrugs* if I was a stressed snake I would just sit out in the open on top of my hide........I would not even think of assist feeding unless she is really skinny. But I wanted to know for future reference, just like with the force feed. I am going to get a live rat pup/pinkie or fuzzy this week to see if that will induce a feed responce. If not I will wait like a month (3-4 weeks) to try again. Does that sound good? If not tell me!

Solid Snake · 07-28-03, 12:14 AM

This is what i do. Feeding isn't a prob for me at all. This is my first bp too.

I covered the tank with dark towels. Use tin foil around the lid. 2 hiding spots on each side. Use reptile carpet cuz other substrates make me dig around for it for a long time which could be stressfull, having your hands everywhere looking for poop. Big reptile bowl in warm side, and i put a small reptile bowl on the cool side (i dunno i thought my snake would like a nice cool refreshing drink). Left it alone for a couple of nights, left a dead fresh killed rat pup over night and when i awoke, it was gone.

keep it simple, leave it alone and dont bother it unless u gotta change its water.

sapphire_moon · 07-28-03, 12:16 AM

Did it, she didn't take it. Even split the skull, and dipped it in chicken broth. She still wouldn't take it.

Linds · 07-28-03, 12:28 AM

Well what was she feeding on? If she was taking dead prey, then just stick to it and be patient. If she was feding on live, which is a good possibility since she is a very young CH, then try offering her a live one

Quote:

Originally posted by sapphire_moon
..But when I assist fed her (tiny bits of mouse meat, about the size of pencil erasers) she kept it down

Quote:

Originally posted by sapphire_moon
...I would not even think of assist feeding unless she is really skinny. But I wanted to know for future reference, just like with the force feed.

I'm confused........

sapphire_moon · 07-28-03, 10:16 PM

I plan on trying her on a live rat pup this week.....if not.....just wait it out and try other things maybe even a live gerbil, if not I don't know what I'll do with it.......

killaclown · 07-29-03, 12:26 AM

I make sure my snakes feed before i buy them

ReptiZone · 07-29-03, 02:17 AM

Well I am suprised yoeun905 gave you that advise cause that is the sam advice I gave him at the tine he baught his ball.

PPl tend to think I am a over protective freek when it comes to my snake but I am telling you this cause I know it works.

cover all 4 walls of the cage I don't want that snake to see you doing your home work or anything like that. The snake will be isolated like in a Cave.
The only interaction should be when you change the water every 2 days that is it fresh water every 2 days and nothing els your snake will get acostume to that. Do that and only that for 2, 3, 4 weeks if you have to leave it alone start offering food after 2 weeks of 0 contack if that dosent work wait another week and try offering again no results wait some more.

after 4-6 weeks of no eating then go to the vet just to be 100% sure that it is ok dont asist feed a ball can go 3, 6, 9, mont with out eating with no ill effects. just be patient.

Now when he eats 4 cosecutive meals you can start removing your take cover but take your time if you do it all at once it will cause more stress and than it is back to square one.

if it is eating for 2 monts straight you can remove all the covers just compensat with extra hides.

lilyskip · 07-29-03, 06:29 AM

I would be careful feeding gerbils. From what I've heard, bps are very, very hard to switch from gerbils, and they can get extremely expensive. That might just increase your problems, especially since Prana's no-eating situation is not close to dire yet. Like chondro said, they can go months and months without eating at all. Why get her on gerbils when she'd probably take a rat within the next few months?

sapphire_moon · 07-29-03, 08:46 PM

Oh I know. But atleast she would be eating......

Corey Woods · 07-29-03, 09:28 PM

In my experience if you let a ball go too long before assist feeding they maybe too weak to digust the meal and it kills them. I let my CB balls go 1 month and then I assist feed them a fresh killed hopper mouse every week until they start eating on their own.

Corey

tHeGiNo · 07-30-03, 11:17 AM

Hmm that is a very interesting point. However these are snakes whom NATURALLY are sporadic feeders. Aren't they built to be able widthstand not eating for quite long periods of time? Sapphire my advice would be to just relax, and try the last resorts later on. If you have only had this ball python for two weeks I can definitely see where the problem is here. First off after every feeding attempt give her another week, or at least a few days. Now in such a short period of time I wouldn't even consider gerbils and force feeding or assist feeding. Linds hit the nail on the head when she said that these snakes are extremely timid, and usually don't eat due to stress. Assist feeding or especially force feeding will just increase this. I would give it a few more weeks and give her stunned live rodents. I don't see a problem with that as she will be eating and you then can proceed to get her on f/t. Also after your next feeding, waiting a month might be a bit too long. Try a new method every week is what I would recommend.

sapphire_moon · 07-30-03, 05:16 PM

Ok I can not say this enough times.......those were reference questions. As in when I get a tip I wright it down for future reference. Not to run, get the snake and force/assist feed it on the spot. These are questions that I would like to get done over with and out of the way.....

jathoma · 07-31-03, 05:44 AM

I keep seeing these types of threads (in addition to the acclimation and/or when should I handle threads) and it leaves me curious as to the nature of the responses.

I bought my BP 4 weeks ago this Friday from a Petco that was having an awesome sale ($29.99 per snake). I handled it in the store and was told by the employee that they are fed each Thursday and have been eating well. I read in a book shortly thereafter (and prior to his next feeding) that any pet store that tells you their snakes are eating well is probably lying, so, of course, I was deeply concerned that Cain would not eat come his next feeding.

Well, my wife held him on the way home from the store, we held him while putting his cage together and held him every day before this next feed (6 days after purchase). We put him in a box, held the fuzzy in front of him with tongs and he snatched it immediately and swallowed shortly thereafter. I waited about 3 hours to put him back in his tank and then waited a day to hold him again, just to make sure he wouldn't regurgitate from being handled so soon after feeding. I've followed this same method (albeit with a plastic feeder cage in lieu of the box) every week since and he's had no feeding issues at all.

I didn't "acclimate" him as others suggest, I don't go prolonged periods without handling (a day at most), and he seems to be perfectly content with us (I have six kids who always want to hold him and/or at least pet him while he's being held. Sure, he gets a little jumpy with all the attention, but he doesn't appear stressed in the least and isn't having feeding problems.

Personally, I think it's all in the personality of the snake. What works for me may not work for others, but I bring my tale so that others don't "assume" that you have to do things a certain way right from the start...

You comments or opinions are welcomed...