nearly 13 year old king

I have had my king for almost 13 years. I've had him since he hatched. He was my first snake and I love him dearly. I don't have the money to take him the vet. But recently he hasn't eaten for 3 weeks when he normalys eats weekly. He shows he's hungry but when he smells the mouse he goes back and.hides. he looks a little skinnier and he is a little weaker. I was thinking I should try for force feed him. Or is he just... having his age catch up to him? I've never had a snake before he was my first and is my baby boy. I wish I'd never lose him cause he's so lovey and well behaved

Are you feeding live, f/t, or p/k?
How else have you tried offering him food and how frequently?
What was his weight in grams before the weight loss and after?
How does he seem weaker?
Do you have any pics of him?
Has anything changed husbandry wise and please describe how you're keeping him and at what temps?

My adult king (4 years old) always slows down in the cooler months for 1-4 months of not eating and then he decides to eat when it gets to Spring-ish, has your guy ever refused food before now?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daybreaker

Are you feeding live, f/t, or p/k?
How else have you tried offering him food and how frequently?
What was his weight in grams before the weight loss and after?
How does he seem weaker?
Do you have any pics of him?
Has anything changed husbandry wise and please describe how you're keeping him and at what temps?

My adult king (4 years old) always slows down in the cooler months for 1-4 months of not eating and then he decides to eat when it gets to Spring-ish, has your guy ever refused food before now?

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Frozen all his life. I have never weighed him he just looks thinner. I have pics but phone won't let me post. His temps range from 75-87. That's what I've kept him at all his life. He has gone maybe a week Max not eating in the past. He was always on time. I have given him hamburger and other raw emats and he loved them all. I tried.today and he was very hungry I could tell. I haven't changed anything in his tank
I am going to clean it and see If that has effects. My other king is 2 but hes a fussy eater and is still young. But eats just about regularly every 2 weeks

Gut feeling, I really think you're gonna need a vet on this one.

Feeding meat to a snake which is meant for a human to eat is ill-advised. Pretty sure the nutritional value of human food is sub-par compared to their natural prey. ie. high in fat and low in other vitamins and minerals which snakes get from their prey items which are not obtained from porkchops and hamburgers. It wouldn't surprise me if there is a transmittable disease or worm which can be delivered to a snake via raw meat.

I have 4 snakes total which are 13 years of age or older, among them is a 13 year old cali king which is an aggressive eater and should be for another 5-6 years. Most well kept colubrids will be strong and healthy for close to 20 years before showing major signs of deteriorating.