Thin rescue ball python tips needes

[Mathilda]

Hello, it's unfortunate this has to be my first post, but here we go.

I just picked him (or her) up a few hours ago. (Pictures were taken as soon as I got in the car) As you can see, he's very thin. I don't know his age or history, his old family said at least a year old. He also has quite a scar on top of his head that leads up to a hard bump at the top of the scar. He was being kept with another BP in unsuitable conditions and has retained shed on his body. I ready have a vet appointment set up for tomorrow morning, but I wanted to see if anyone had tips for feeding him or any special care.

He had a fantastic food response and happily took a f/t adult mouse. He also drank quite a bit. Should I stick with weekly feedings or a different schedule? Prey size or type?
I also soaked him a bit before feeding to try and loosen the shed, but some still remains.

I have him in a 32qt tub with UTH on a thermostat and all the other necessary equipment. However, I have him on paper towels, but I got to thinking maybe some eco earth or reptile prime would help him out better with the shed and up the humidity a bit more.

This is my first BP, but not my first reptile or snake. I've been planning on getting a 2018 hatching, but seen this fellow and I couldn't leave him to die.

Thanks for any tips you can give! I really want to give this poor baby a fantastic home. He deserves it!

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[Caali]

First of all welcome to the forum. I think it's great that you decided to help this little worm. It's admirable.
On a more serious note, he doesn't look good. He looks dehydrated and underfed (and looks like he has some stuck sheds but you already mentioned that) but it's a very good sign that he ate and that he even drank. There is still life in him and he seems strong enough to fight for it.
Make sure to keep the humidity between 55% and 65%. Don't let it sink any further than 55%. Make sure to nail the temps.
Switching to eco earth or cypress mulch might be a good idea but I don't think it's necessary if you keep track of the humidity.
Many people are going to use this image but below you can see the chart of what to feed male or female ball pythons according to their weight. I personally measure the food size by the widest part of the snake's body. The rodent should be as big/wide as the widest part of the snake's body.
I hope this was at least a bit helpful. You'll probably get a lot of useful tips from the other users.

Also do you know the morph? He looks like he might be a dark Lesser to me.

[Mathilda]

First of all welcome to the forum. I think it's great that you decided to help this little worm. It's admirable.
On a more serious not, he doesn't look good. He looks dehydrated and underfed (and looks like he has some stuck sheds but you already mentioned that) but it's a very good sign that he ate and that he even drank. There is still life in him and he seems strong enough to fight for it.
Make sure to keep the humidity between 55% and 65%. Don't let it sink any further than 55%. Make sure to nail the temps.
Many people are going to use this image but below you can see the chart of what to feed male or female ball pythons according to their weight. I personally measure the food size by the widest part of the snake's body. The rodent should be as big/wide as the widest part of the snake's body.
I hope this was at least a bit helpful. You'll probably get a lot of useful tips from the other users.

Also do you know the morph? He looks like he might be a dark Lesser (in my opinion).

Thank you so much! The large mouse wasn't quite on point then. The previous owners said they were feeding him once a month with a chick they'd pick up at the tractor supply. I was a little worried the rat would be a shock to his system, but I'll give that a try for his next feed! Size wize that'll be perfect (and cheaper than my 4 mice for $15, couldn't believe that!)

So far his temps and humidity are right on point. I was going to put him in my 20 gallon long, but I wanted to make sure everything was ideal. Maybe once he's recovered if he makes it. Make him a nice natural looking home and spoil him some.

As for morph, they called him a Mojave, but I don't know how accurate that is.

Thanks again! I'll post an update tomorrow once were out of the vet. I'm definitly hopeful!

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[Aerries]

his patterns and colors looks alot like my cinny girl...but again I'm horrible are guessing lol. I really do hope he makes it! prayers sent your way Ive seen worse condition start low on the feeding and work your way up in size, he wont be use to taking such large meals, and i can only imagine that could lead to potential regurgitation. Please correct me if I'm wrong in saying so.

[Caali]

his patterns and colors looks alot like my cinny girl...but again I'm horrible are guessing lol. I really do hope he makes it! prayers sent your way Ive seen worse condition start low on the feeding and work your way up in size, he wont be use to taking such large meals, and i can only imagine that could lead to potential regurgitation. Please correct me if I'm wrong in saying so.

I agree but in his case I think he might be able to take a small rat since he ate little baby chickens. They're normally larger than a small rat. Maybe a springer rat (I hope this is what they're called in English; they weigh between 30g and 50g) would be suitable. If he is fine with that, I'd feed the rest of them to him and then move up to small rats. It safer for the snake to be a bit more careful.
I also forgot to answer that but I think feeding him once a week (or maybe every 6 days) should be fine. To be honest I believe he'll make it. He is not in the best condition but he seems to be healthy enough to survive with someone who takes proper care of him.

[Zincubus]

Yes it's great that you've stepped into hopefully save this little guy .

As mentioned already he looks dangerously dehydrated .

I'd read up on dehydration but if it was me I'd give it a 25 minute soak in snake temp water . Use a container with a lid so it stays in the water .. STAY in full view whilst it soaks ... he will slither around looking for a way out but he'll be fine .

Soaking is something that some people disagree with even though they provided bowls for theirs to soak .

Thing is it looks dangerously dehydrated and the soak will make an immediate difference.


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[Booper]

I agree with Zinc for soaking, it's also good for stuck shed. It can be very stressful for the snake though, so don't be tempted to do it too often or you may cause more harm than good. Personally I'd keep any sick snake on paper towels, but with them it's difficult to keep the humidity up. Best wishes for you and the little guy, I hope it's a good outcome!

[Hannahshissyfix]

If he just ate for you and drank thats a great sign. I would not worry about stressing him out with soaks right after he ate though. Id bump the humidity in the tub way up and give a few days to digest. Even though hes extremely thin, i also wouldnt jump straight to weekly feeding when his weakened system is used to monthly digestion. In his state, id go 10 days between the first couple meals. He does look like he could be a mojave but hard to say in that state. Good luck! Im glad you were abe to take on the poor thing and actually care about it. An emaciated dog in this condition would lead to an arrest.

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[Skyrivers]

I was horrified when I saw his photos. Thanks for giving him a proper home and care. Keep us posted as he recovers. Take the time to get him to proper weight and size I am sure he will get there.

[Kam]

OMG! Thanks for stepping in when you did. You should call him Lucky.


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