Quick Feeding Question

[Joci]

Hello all, I have a quick question for you.

I am currently following my amazing vet's instructions (she's also a ball python breeder) and assist feeding my seven week old ball python who has refused everything I've offered him. My local pet store only offers f/t fuzzies or f/t small mice. The small mice were too large for me to assist feed, but the fuzzies that I bought are so small that I am concerned that it won't be enough to keep my bp adequately fed.

I fed him this evening and the fuzzie didn't even leave a lump, so my question is this. Should I feed him another mouse tomorrow? Or should I feed him more often (every five days instead of seven)?

(P.S. The reason why the vet decided that assist feeding him was the best idea was because when she weighed him, he only weighed 54 grams. Also, his skin had begun to tent and he needed protein)

[Godzilla78]

I would normally say, go ahead and feed him another, but I have never done force-feeding, so that changes everything. Maybe try and feed him another fuzzy in a couple of days, but see if he will eat by himself!!!

[Joci]

Thank you for the reply! I always offer the mouse before I assist feed, so he has a chance to strike it on his own, but he is always very good at eating the fuzzie after I have pried his mouth open with it 😂

[Craiga 01453]

Assist feeding should be an absolute last ditch effort after ALL other options have been exhausted.

How many meals had the snake eaten prior to bringing him home? What size prey items were fed?
Fuzzies are too small, even for hatchlings. Hoppers should be fed for the first 3-5 meals and then prey size should be increased.

[Joci]

I am aware that fuzzies are too small, and that assist feeding is a last resort. My snake's health was in at risk, and I think that counts as a good reason to assist feed him. My question was asking if feeding more often or feeding two fuzzies would be a good substitute for a larger prey item until I can replace the fuzzies with hoppers. (He was fed live hoppers by the breeder, I am not sure how many meals he had)

[Craiga 01453]

Have you tried live hoppers?

[Joci]

I have no idea where to find live feeders, otherwise I probably would have tried that 😂

[tttaylorrr]

I have no idea where to find live feeders, otherwise I probably would have tried that 😂

where are you located, if you don't mind me asking?

[Joci]

where are you located, if you don't mind me asking?

I am located in northern Virginia

[tttaylorrr]

I am located in northern Virginia

here's a list of pet and reptile stores from KingSnake.com, maybe you could give it a look.