Snake didn't eat
- Thread starter smmfish
- Start date
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wow, you're feeding already? I keep all my snakes hibernating til march, then put the females with the males.
As for the feeding problem, stick with mice til he sheds. BPs have horrible aim as it is, so don't worry too much. once he sheds try the rat again, try not to handle it too much prior to feeding.
As for the feeding problem, stick with mice til he sheds. BPs have horrible aim as it is, so don't worry too much. once he sheds try the rat again, try not to handle it too much prior to feeding.
IMO, when any snake suddenly refuses food the first thing you should do is check for an upper respirtory infection (the common cold). Yes, snakes do catch colds. most people believe the sympton to look for is clear discharge around the nose and mouth but frankly, this is a long time to wait and at that point, your snake is actually VERY sick.
Pick the snake up and gently pinch his head (So that his mouth stays closed) and stick his snout in your ear. Seriously, stick his nose in your ear far enough so you can listen to him breathe. Pretend you are putting a pair of ear plugs in your ears-that's a good depth. You may hear a few "clicks". Matter of fact. that's exactly what it sounds like: "click.....Click.....Click....etc.
This clicking sound is a sign of an upper respirtory infection.
Your LFS should have Tetracycline Tablets (TC). Add one tablet per day for 5-6 days and your snake will be cured and should be a good eater too! Make sure you disolve the tablets and use 1/2 the usual amount of water.
I also recommend keeping the tank nice and warm and avoid handling him as you treat him.
I will be traveling the next few days and therefore won't be able to defend myself! Yes, I know it sounds strange to stick a snake's nose in your ear but trust me-this technigue is the only way to listen to your pet's breathing pattern. Clicking sounds=congestion. If you doubt what i'm saying at least treat his water with TC. This does no harm and will stop his cold from turning into a very bad situation.
Pick the snake up and gently pinch his head (So that his mouth stays closed) and stick his snout in your ear. Seriously, stick his nose in your ear far enough so you can listen to him breathe. Pretend you are putting a pair of ear plugs in your ears-that's a good depth. You may hear a few "clicks". Matter of fact. that's exactly what it sounds like: "click.....Click.....Click....etc.
This clicking sound is a sign of an upper respirtory infection.
Your LFS should have Tetracycline Tablets (TC). Add one tablet per day for 5-6 days and your snake will be cured and should be a good eater too! Make sure you disolve the tablets and use 1/2 the usual amount of water.
I also recommend keeping the tank nice and warm and avoid handling him as you treat him.
I will be traveling the next few days and therefore won't be able to defend myself! Yes, I know it sounds strange to stick a snake's nose in your ear but trust me-this technigue is the only way to listen to your pet's breathing pattern. Clicking sounds=congestion. If you doubt what i'm saying at least treat his water with TC. This does no harm and will stop his cold from turning into a very bad situation.
Brooklynella;709014; said:IMO, when any snake suddenly refuses food the first thing you should do is check for an upper respirtory infection (the common cold). Yes, snakes do catch colds. most people believe the sympton to look for is clear discharge around the nose and mouth but frankly, this is a long time to wait and at that point, your snake is actually VERY sick.
Pick the snake up and gently pinch his head (So that his mouth stays closed) and stick his snout in your ear. Seriously, stick his nose in your ear far enough so you can listen to him breathe. Pretend you are putting a pair of ear plugs in your ears-that's a good depth. You may hear a few "clicks". Matter of fact. that's exactly what it sounds like: "click.....Click.....Click....etc.
This clicking sound is a sign of an upper respirtory infection.
Your LFS should have Tetracycline Tablets (TC). Add one tablet per day for 5-6 days and your snake will be cured and should be a good eater too! Make sure you disolve the tablets and use 1/2 the usual amount of water.
I also recommend keeping the tank nice and warm and avoid handling him as you treat him.
I will be traveling the next few days and therefore won't be able to defend myself! Yes, I know it sounds strange to stick a snake's nose in your ear but trust me-this technigue is the only way to listen to your pet's breathing pattern. Clicking sounds=congestion. If you doubt what i'm saying at least treat his water with TC. This does no harm and will stop his cold from turning into a very bad situation.
I know how to do that, and I already have. That is why I am so stumped as to why he won't eat. I am going to try and just toss the mouse in his tank and see how he does.
Thanks!!!
Oh, and I haven't had him very long at all, he is probably just getting used to my way of feeding compared to the way the lfs fed him.
Its a BP, that alone should put your mind at ease. LOL!
I wouldnt worry ( I know its hard not to), but since you have had him eat twice for you already IMO he is just "off feed" and will resume when he is ready. I would wait at least a week, dont handle him in that time, and then try again. If that fails I would do the whole process over one more time then if that fails I would try something different.
I have had a couple BP's years ago that were wild caught and getting them to feed regularly was a challenge, not impossible, just a pain in the ***. One thing that sometimes worked for me was to try feeding a gerbil. Every once in a while even the most stubborn of BP's would take one.
Your snake can go for month's without eating withouit ill efficts. But if he has not eaten in a month and your husbandry is good then I would suggest a vet visit just to make sure all is well.
I had a 14' female wild caught Rock Python years ago that wouldnt eat for MONTH'S. I had at least a dozen frozen rabbits and a couple chickens in the freezer. LOL! Then one day she ate and never gave me or my brother in law (he had her for a couple years after me) trouble again.
DONT PANIC!
I wouldnt worry ( I know its hard not to), but since you have had him eat twice for you already IMO he is just "off feed" and will resume when he is ready. I would wait at least a week, dont handle him in that time, and then try again. If that fails I would do the whole process over one more time then if that fails I would try something different.
I have had a couple BP's years ago that were wild caught and getting them to feed regularly was a challenge, not impossible, just a pain in the ***. One thing that sometimes worked for me was to try feeding a gerbil. Every once in a while even the most stubborn of BP's would take one.
Your snake can go for month's without eating withouit ill efficts. But if he has not eaten in a month and your husbandry is good then I would suggest a vet visit just to make sure all is well.
I had a 14' female wild caught Rock Python years ago that wouldnt eat for MONTH'S. I had at least a dozen frozen rabbits and a couple chickens in the freezer. LOL! Then one day she ate and never gave me or my brother in law (he had her for a couple years after me) trouble again.
DONT PANIC!
