Assist feeding an adult????

About six months ago we got a couple females that had an RI when we picked them up. The RI was treated at the time with baytril and cleared up pretty much immediately and has not shown any signs of returning. These two were also checked for parasites at that time and both were clean. However, both have refused feed. Neither female have taken a meal in six months. One is 1700+ grams and the other is around 950 grams. Now normally I wouldn't consider assist feeding but both girls are down in weight. The bigger of the two is down about 225-250 grams and the smaller one is down about 175 grams. Both are looking really thin, I'm seeing the triangular shape and loose skin and we are getting pretty concerned. I just figured I would ask here before attempting an assist feed. Assist feeding hatchlings are easy enough but with an adult I'm sure it will be way more stressful on the animal and will require a lot of force. I'm just not sure what other options I have at this point we don't want to sit back and watch these two starve to death.

Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

hmmm...if you go the assist feed route I'd be interested to hear how it goes. I've helped along hatchlings, but never adults...I guess you've exhausted all the live feed options? Mice, rats, ASF's?

I would still not consider assist feeding, they know how to eat and just need to resume feeding.

You might need to consider smaller cramp space for them (I have had female that size in 15 quarts tubs in the past) not sure what you are feeding but you need to make sure it is what they used to eat before and preferably live. Keep them warm 88-92 on the warm side.

Questions: Are those CB?

Actually were not sure but we think they were wild caught. I have tried all forms of feeders, rats, mice, ASFs even a hamster both live prekilled and frozen/thawed without luck. I may try the 15qt idea though.

I hope you got a good deal...two possibly wild caught females with RI's? Did you ask the seller where they came from and what they were eating? And if they were healthy?

Well the seller was a little shaky on any info to be honest and we picked them up for almost nothing. When we picked them up we did it with the idea that if they couldn't be saved we weren't really out much o anything and if they made it ok we would use them as extra breeders. In all honesty I'm not sure the previous owner had them long enough to feed them. Seemed like a flip deal at the time. Again we went into it knowing that and now we are just hoping to get them back on feed.

As far as the 15qt idea, the smaller girl will fit no problem but the larger one might be tough. I understand the idea is to make it cramped in the hopes of making her feel secure but how would you go about feeding attempts? I'm thinking in a 15 I may have to drop feeders on her if I feed in the tub. Would you suggest putting her in a separate feed tub?

I went through that with a rescue who came to me with a severe RI. She went for months and months after it cleared without eating. I watched her get skinnier and skinnier, and she was thin to begin with.

As hard as it was I just waited and watched and kept offering once a week. Suddenly she decided she was hungry again, and now she slams her food and is plumped back up nicely. All I can suggest is try slightly smaller tubs, maybe snugger hides or hides period if you don't use them, and just keep offering once a week.

I have successfully force fed an adult, and believe you me I hope I never have to again. It took three people to do it, we had to be extra careful, the snake hated it, and in the end it didn't do one darn bit of good because she still refused to feed after that, and she didn't feed again until she was darn good and ready to.

Gale

My opinion, based on what I would do - I wouldn't assist just yet. First thing I'd do, is take them to be checked out, to make doubly sure that RI didn't sneak back in. Once that's absolutely out of the picture, I'd do a vitamin B shot to stimulate appetite. My vet suggested it a couple years ago for an RI animal that had come to me from a less than reputable person sick and thin already. I fought the RI for months before we finally kicked it, even having to gavage feed her a few times just to keep her alive. I hope I never have to do that again. Anyhow, we kicked the RI, and she just wouldn't eat. You could see her ribs and everything under all her baggy skin. Vet recommended the B shot, and gave me info to do it. (she's cool like that, we've built a nice relationship over time) I gave the snake the shot, and within a week she was back to eating finally.

I gave the B shot to one other animal who was recovering and similarly thin, and got the same results. I wouldn't use this stuff on an animal that's just regularly gone off feed like they just do sometimes, but I would definitely use this again before moving to assist feeding.

It's something for you and your vet to look into. They may even have the stuff lying around to give the injection for you right there at the office.

Are they drinking? They might need some fluids as well. Soak if you need to.

I agree on waiting to assist. It's not fun with a big one. Definately try the smaller tubs. For the larger females you may be able to go with a 28qt. It's what I keep girls in until they are big enough to move to the cb70. I also have a big girl who will stay in a 28 qt. It's just what she does best in.
Def Give that a try.


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