Urgent feed question

[HerpetualObscurity]

Ok so I went to our new petco today to pick up some aspen and see if they got anything new in as far as snakes go. They opened in October and had a pinstripe from day two. Since than his size in girth has decreased dramatically. I talked with the companion animal "specialist" today and she stated he hasn't eaten in 26 days. I know they can go three months but for such a wee baby I'm worried about him. I talked to them about different feeding methods that they could try and the b12 method (last resort). I a, a relatively new snake owner but in such a small town even owning a snake makes you higher up in the pecking order (I don't agree with this so don't eat me, I'm still learning!). They offered to let me come in and try to feed the little guy myself. He is very docile and active. He seems stressed but is so skinny. I don't have the money to buy him, but the manager might be able to work out a foster program with me. For now I can go in and try to feed him.


He is a 13 pinstripe. Active and skinny. Not bitey. Not in shed.


Any methods I can try? Any suggestions from the real pros here? I want to help him so bad.
They feed f/t or diced. The employee was unaware of size but he seems like he could put down a small pup.

Thanks

[sho220]

Ok so I went to our new petco today to pick up some aspen and see if they got anything new in as far as snakes go. They opened in October and had a pinstripe from day two. Since than his size in girth has decreased dramatically. I talked with the companion animal "specialist" today and she stated he hasn't eaten in 26 days. I know they can go three months but for such a wee baby I'm worried about him. I talked to them about different feeding methods that they could try and the b12 method (last resort). I a, a relatively new snake owner but in such a small town even owning a snake makes you higher up in the pecking order (I don't agree with this so don't eat me, I'm still learning!). They offered to let me come in and try to feed the little guy myself. He is very docile and active. He seems stressed but is so skinny. I don't have the money to buy him, but the manager might be able to work out a foster program with me. For now I can go in and try to feed him.


He is a 13 pinstripe. Active and skinny. Not bitey. Not in shed.


Any methods I can try? Any suggestions from the real pros here? I want to help him so bad.
They feed f/t or diced. The employee was unaware of size but he seems like he could put down a small pup.

Thanks

I'm almost afraid to ask, but what is "diced"?

[KMG]

Do you know how they are preparing the prey? What time they are offering prey? How they present the prey?

[Jumbie]

Yea we need to know what they are feeding, how they are feeding, and when they are feeding to help you out more. For example if they are just being offered frozen thawed and easy fix is trying live until he gets his appetite. Of course this being Petco I thin feeding live is against their policy. If they are feeding frozen thawed then they may not be warming the mouse or rat to proper temperatures. Try getting some of the bedding out of a rat cage or mouse cage and rubbing it on the feeder mouse/rat so this way the feeder picks up a fresh sent for the snake. You could always try the paper bag method where you the rat pup or small mouse (frozen thawed or pre killed preferably) in a paper bag with the snake for a fey hours and see if he eats. Sometimes providing more security (hides) in an all glass enclosure well help in insecure snakes with appetite issues. All these suggestions could be applied over time, but for now with the current condition the snake is in you should really try force feeding him a small meal. Good luck dude hoe it works out for the little guy!

[Naom9Anne]

Diced sound a bit...erm...dicey? I dread to think what that means! it doesn't sound right regardless of what it means though!

If you think you can help I say go for it! No harm in giving it a go

[HerpetualObscurity]

Thanks everyone. If I can foster him, I'll probably try lives. As far as "diced" goes... I really don't know. I don't want to know. It sounds very improper. I am probably going to force a meal today but I'll try presenting before forcing.

Does the split brain method work on BPs? I know people do it for colubrids and more aggressive snakes. I would do quoted responses butim on the fly right now, thank you!


in addition, I'll be able to get more feeding info today.

[Crazymonkee]

The split brain works on some. Yeh don't care to know what diced is... good luck with him!

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[NYHC4LIFE8899]

I tried smashing the head,did nothing for my black pastel...so he is on live only . Well that's what I plan on only feeding my guys anyway. Live from now on.

[DooLittle]

I would also make sure the husbandry is spot on. Temps right, plenty of hides. No handeling. If he's comfortable, he more than likely will take live.