Ball hasn't eaten in 6 months, just threw up.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

loganh83

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Jul 17, 2008
223
31
61
The Lone Star State
It has been in a 30 long with water, a hide spot, under tank heater etc...bought it small and fed feeder mice. As it grew it went to small then medium rats. I fed it bi weekly then one day it wouldn't eat. I left it in Texas with a friend while i am spending the spring in DC. She has tried rats and mice with no success. Feeding at night/day doesn't matter. She just told me he threw up recently and is yawning very often. His bedding is repti-bark. Does anyone think he could have swallowed a piece of bark or something? Might try a gerbil soon. I have not seen him in 2 months so I am not sure how much weight he has lost. Any herp people out there have a suggestion? I am a fish guy and have not studied much herpetalogy. Thanks
 
What did the snake throw up if it has not ate in 6 months? Kinda weird. Snakes usually regurgata meals shortly after they eat when stressed or husbandry is off. How long was the snake eating befopre you got him. Is he yawning or gasping for air? Can you hear him breath? If you open his mouth and see stringy saliva it may be a respitory infection. If so you will most likely need to see a vet and they will probably perscribe some baytril. Booting up the temps would also be a good idea.

If the snake swallowed a peice of bark and became impacted you may be able to soak the snake in warm water to work it out. You also may be able to feel it in the stomach.

It is not uncommon for balls to go off feed for 6 months. If excessive weight has not been lost you are probably fine.
 
try a hamster or gerbil, i've got 6 balls currently and its very common for them to just give up eating for a month or so, but they never turn down a gerbil or hamster, its like python crack.
 
vet,they do go off feed for months sometimes but alot of gaping mouth and any vomit at all is bad.You mentioned an undertank heater,but I wonder what the air temp in the cage is,it could be getting warm on the belly but its still breathing in cold air from the room.Might be resperatory problem,did it puke up water?If you can,I would post pics asap,and consider the vet.
 
:iagree: consult a vet
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com