Won't eat. Keep trying or vet?

[Hissyx]

I'll get the information out the way first of all. She'll be 2 in December, temperatures are usually steady 80-82 cool and 90 warm, using UTH and controlled by thermostat. Humidity can be a bit unsteady but always falls in between the 50-60% mark, substrate: aspen.

She hasn't eat in around 7-8 weeks, i know this isn't long compared to some but this is a hungry girl who would eat everyday if given the chance, so really unusual for her. We changed rat supplier recently which she eat two of then completely went off it, switched back and tried her again and still nothing. She's hungry, out roaming for food and wanting it, and just refuses to strike it. I've checked her over, no signs out mites, scale rot, respiratory infection and she seems completely fine. Is there anything else i could look for with her? I'm thinking about finding a supplier for chicks, but don't want to hesitate in getting her to a vet if there's a chance something could be wrong. I could be completely over reacting here but it just doesn't seem right that she's never refused a feeding since we got her as a baby.

Thanks

[erich_7719]

In my short experience... I had 2 of my females do this, one went off of food for 12 weeks and the other went closer to 16. The one that went 12 weeks, I offered her food every week unless she was in blue, the all of a sudden she started feeding again. The other girl on the other hand. I got tired of trying to feed her every week, so I moved her into the rack my breeders are in and a week later she started feeding as normal.

On a personal level I do understand where you are coming from, it is frustrating when they go off of food for a while for no apparent reason. I, personally, wouldn't worry unless she starts looking like she is loosing a significant amount of weight.

[tbowman]

They can flip at the drop of a dime. 8 weeks is nothing. A trip to the vet will probably prolong eating even longer.

[frostysBP]

No vet needed unless she losses a bunch of weight....my longest was 8 months

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[pbyeerts]

My Ginger ate as much as I could give her, and then one day, nothing. She fasted for 5 LONG months. I decided to see if she would eat live, and she immediately went back to her regular feedings. Btw: she was just over 1 year when she decided to not eat f/t anymore.


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Pamela and GINGER, my wonderful BP

1 dog, 3 cats, 1 macaw, 1 husband, 1 daughter, and GINGER


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[Hissyx]

Thanks guys, I'll keep trying her every week. Ever just have that feeling where somethings not right? That's what I feel at the moment. I've never tried her with live but if the chicks don't work I suppose it's worth a try.

[Eric Alan]

Thanks guys, I'll keep trying her every week. Ever just have that feeling where somethings not right? That's what I feel at the moment. I've never tried her with live but if the chicks don't work I suppose it's worth a try.

I wouldn't even mess with chicks if I were you.

7-8 weeks certainly feels like a long time (especially when it's your first experience with BPs being off feed), but in reality it's next to nothing when it comes to these guys. As long as she's still in good body condition and isn't losing a ton of weight, then the best you can do is wait her out. Maybe only offer her food every other week or so until she decides on her own to get back on track.

[Lady mkrj58]

My Mr Python did not eat for 12 weeks, I offered every week and all of a sudden he started eating again on F/T Not live I was pleased about that.

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[Stewart_Reptiles]

Alternative preys are not the answer unless you go from live to f/t , she knows how to eat, she ate in the past she just refuses to, it could last weeks, month or even a year.

Here are things that can be done

Dowsize the enclosure

Take her on a car trip 30 lin or so

Make sure your temps are optimum.

BE PATIENT

I got to ask how big is she (weight)?

Where does she spent most of her time lately (cool side, warm side)?