How to feed up a runt?

4 days ago adopted a 204 gram female BP who is approximately two years old (she was a rescue). When my friend started fostering her, she was a reluctant feeder but now she's eating mice consistently on a weekly schedule. She has black scars (healed with smooth new scales now) on her which appear to be old burns. And, of course, she is much too small for her age. But otherwise she appears healthy.

She just ate a f/t 18g mouse for me. Which is a relief. I know this is a bit small but I thought I should make her first meals non-intimidating to make sure she takes it.


How should I go about getting her up to size? I'm considering offering her another ~18g mouse in 5 days time. But how should I proceed from there?

Would it be worth getting her tested for internal parasites? Do they get "worms" or similar which cause failure-to-thrive without other more obvious symptoms?

Yes they can get internal parasites. Wouldn't hurt to take a fecal to your vet.

Was the snake being underfed or refusing food?
Assuming you don't know that I would feed a 5 day schedule but a small mouse instead of a weaned.

+1 on the vet if you think there may be a parasite issue. I would be feeding her at least a 20g prey item every 5 days. I like to go by the 10-15% body weight rule personally. I hope she gets big and strong now that she is in more caring hands. :gj:

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Originally Posted by Pug50

How should I go about getting her up to size? I'm considering offering her another ~18g mouse in 5 days time. But how should I proceed from there?

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You don't need to do anything special to get her up to size, just feed her appropriately sized meals on a regular basis; she'll start putting on weight consistently. A lot of people do 5 or 7 day schedules, and either will work. Pick whatever is convenient for you. If you can rotate feeding days easily and want to do a 5 day schedule do that. If feeding on a specific day works better for you, do 7 days.

As long as you're getting decent meals into her on a regular basis she'll put on weight for you.

Wow! That is tiny! I'm glad you could open your heart one that obviously needed a loving and caring home.

Thanks for all the advice! She did a perfect shed for me yesterday, complete with eyecaps and tail-tip, and is now 230g empty.

Then she ate her first ever rat, 34g and matching her diameter, so I think she might be fine!

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...ges/Akita3.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...Akita_Skin.jpg

yay :D - Nice one!

Good luck! I totally feel your pain. Recently, a rescue was passed off to me because it wasn't eating. It is distressingly skinny and I'm really not sure if the little bugger is going to make it...All because it was being kept in a huge glass enclosure and was so afraid it had jammed itself into a corner and wouldn't move. If it takes a couple more meals for me and starts looking a little more lively I'll make him his own progression thread but right n ow he makes your snake look fat! Here's hoping they both make a full come back!

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I was lucky enough that an experienced friend did that hard work for me; putting her in a good enclosure and starting her eating while fostering her. Now she's putting on weight nicely so she is well on her way.

I hope your little one starts thriving soon!

Glad to hear that she is picking up weight nicely and is doing well. Keep her going :). Also +1 on the Honey Jack!! :gj: