Re: 7 months and my BP hasn't eaten-is it time to force feed?
Yea thats my point too Judy.. get that little cridder to the vet ASAP
Re: 7 months and my BP hasn't eaten-is it time to force feed?
He's 680 grams. I'd be willing to be a combination of being wild caught and something in his set-up not being spot on. Of course, a vet visit is in order to test for internal parasites.
Re: 7 months and my BP hasn't eaten-is it time to force feed?
Ticks = very good chance it was recently imported.
Sometimes imports never acclimate to captivity and never eat.
Get it to a vet, check for parasites and eradicate them if they are there, set him up properly with the right temps and humidity (you aren't going to be able to get away with a glass tank for this one), and hope for the best.
Re: 7 months and my BP hasn't eaten-is it time to force feed?
Do not force feed that guy. Set him up with the right temps and humidity level somewhere completely quiet and dark. Get him to the vet for parasite treatment if he needs it.
Re: 7 months and my BP hasn't eaten-is it time to force feed?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Freakie_frog
Two pounds is only 907 grams
Yea you are right for some reason I was thinking 1.8 kilogram, my mistake. Although my girl who had fasted for 6 months is was at 750g empty and she's about a year and a half.
Re: 7 months and my BP hasn't eaten-is it time to force feed?
Okay-A trip to the vet is order first,
and as far as the habitat goes, I use layers of white paper towel to line the the glass tank, which is like 48 by 24inches with the double locked lid, the screen is duck taped to keep in the humidity, with a good size square vent for air, a big faux rock/pool, so he can drink & soak, which I change daily, a "log" purchased from petsmart to hide in (which he does-he also likes to burrow between the paper toweling) a climbing branch also purchased from petsmart, the temps are usually about 75- 80 degrees, the tank is my studio,which is quiet and kept dark ( have covers for the tank as well-with spaces for good air flow). He sheds nicely, and there has not been any ticks in about 5 months. oh - and there are heating pads under the tank -so a corner of the base of the tank is warmer, and the other end, cooler, and a small heat lamp that I use as well when needed.
Thank you everyone for your advice.
Gigi
Re: 7 months and my BP hasn't eaten-is it time to force feed?
Quote:
Originally Posted by gigideluxe
the temps are usually about 75- 80 degrees
Bingo.
Ball pythons need a hot spot in the cage that's around 92-94 degrees, the rest of the cage can be in the lower 80s, I don't let mine get below 82 during the spring/summer/fall.
Low temps could be playing a HUGE part in why your snake isn't eating.
Re: 7 months and my BP hasn't eaten-is it time to force feed?
75-80 degrees is cool for a BP like dead of winter.
Re: 7 months and my BP hasn't eaten-is it time to force feed?
Quote:
Originally Posted by gigideluxe
... a "log" purchased from petsmart to hide in (which he does-he also likes to burrow between the paper toweling) ...
Here's another potential big issue, in addition to the temps already mentioned. Try finding two bowl-shaped "caves" for him to hide in. You can purchase "natural looking" ones at pet stores, or just a couple of plastic planter saucers at Wal Mart or garden store, or anything else that is small and "cave like" that you can cut an entrance into the side for him, if it doesn't already have one.
Here's a couple of threads that demonstrate just how snug they love their hides:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=45693
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=35212
Place one hide on the cooler side of his enclosure, and one hide on the warmer side and that way he never has to choose security over proper temps. ;)
Re: 7 months and my BP hasn't eaten-is it time to force feed?
Once again, I want to thank everyone for all the advice and help, I do apreciate it.
I made an appointment with the vet next week, I'm lucky that the animal clinic I take my puppy too has an exotic pet vet as well, So Leviathan and Titus (my Rottie) both have appointments on Monday. Hopefully we will get this resolved. I turned the heat up on the tanks, and I will get another hide box. Thanks-Gigi