Very frustrated

I live in a place were there is only one vet in town that treats exotic pets so I don't have too many options there. I've been attempting to feed him a jumbo sized mouse every two weeks. I thaw it out in warm water, dry it with a paper towel then put it in the tank over night. He seems curious and checks it out but never touches it. I always hope when I wake up in the morning it will be gone but no such luck. He is a full grown male and the breeder told me that he has always taken frozen medium sized rats without a problem. The pet store was out of med. rats hence the jumbo mice but then they got more in stock so I tried a rat and still no luck. Do you think I should bath him some more even with some redness to his belly? I'm not sure if that would irritate his condition more or not? I am currently heating him with a heat pad for humans. I have a pvc tank coming in the mail from boaphile with a double thermostat but it's taking a little longer then expected to get here.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 8Ball

I live in a place were there is only one vet in town that treats exotic pets so I don't have too many options there. I've been attempting to feed him a jumbo sized mouse every two weeks. I thaw it out in warm water, dry it with a paper towel then put it in the tank over night. He seems curious and checks it out but never touches it. I always hope when I wake up in the morning it will be gone but no such luck. He is a full grown male and the breeder told me that he has always taken frozen medium sized rats without a problem. The pet store was out of med. rats hence the jumbo mice but then they got more in stock so I tried a rat and still no luck. Do you think I should bath him some more even with some redness to his belly? I'm not sure if that would irritate his condition more or not? I am currently heating him with a heat pad for humans. I have a pvc tank coming in the mail from boaphile with a double thermostat but it's taking a little longer then expected to get here.

---

I don't think it will irritate it, but if it seems to worsen, stop it immediately. Shorten the process.

Alright, get the uth with the thermostat up as soon as possible. As for the eating procedure, I suggest feeding every 5-7 days, not every 2 weeks. Do you know how much he weighs or his length?
You should be feeding him something about the same thickness as the thickest point on his body. Right now, you need to get him to eat, so purchase a live sm. rat (or mouse depending on his size reference) and put it in the tub. Put the tub in a dark, quiet area and leave him alone for a good hour. Well fed rats and mice won't attack the snake.
Do this after he's settled in his enclosure for at least a week.
After the hour is up, if the rat is still there, remove it and wait a week. Then do the same thing. Leave him completely alone for all of this time, with as little-no handling as possible.

Should I try feeding him if he is still shedding? Also if I feed him live is it hard to get him to take frozen again. The problem is I am without a vehicle for the next few months and we're talking about a $40 cab ride to the pet store every time he's fed. I'll do what I have to but I just want to do what's smartest in my given situation. He weighs something like 1705g or 3 3/4 lbs and he's just over 4 feet long. I'm sure he's lost some weight in the last month not eating. His skin is more loose then when I first got him. How long can he go safely without food?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 8Ball

Should I try feeding him if he is still shedding? Also if I feed him live is it hard to get him to take frozen again. The problem is I am without a vehicle for the next few months and we're talking about a $40 cab ride to the pet store every time he's fed. I'll do what I have to but I just want to do what's smartest in my given situation. He weighs something like 1705g or 3 3/4 lbs and he's just over 4 feet long. I'm sure he's lost some weight in the last month not eating. His skin is more loose then when I first got him. How long can he go safely without food?

---

Try to feed him two f/t mice then. Have you tried doing the zombie dance? It sounds like your just setting the animal down in the enclosure to be eaten.

At that size, he should definitely be eating small-med. rats, but feed two mice if have to.
I feed during sheds without any problems. (except refusals)

Actually I have tried dancing the mice around with tongs. I'm never sure if he's going to mistake my hand as part of dinner. I'll try feeding him tonight. Hopefully he'll go for it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 8Ball

He weighs something like 1705g or 3 3/4 lbs and he's just over 4 feet long. I'm sure he's lost some weight in the last month not eating. His skin is more loose then when I first got him. How long can he go safely without food?

---

At that weight, a ball python can go a LONG time without food. I rescued a WC girl that was sold to an unexperienced and unwitting kid at a show. He couldn't get her to eat, so he put her up on Craigslist after a month of refusals. She was 1800 grams when I got her, and to this day still hasn't eaten for me. I got her 6+ months ago, so she hasn't eaten in AT LEAST 7 or 8 months, and she has only lost around 100 grams. At first I offered food once a week, but have since dropped to offering once every two weeks. Tonight is the next attempt, so wish me luck... I want her to hurry up and start eating so I can FINALLY take her out and get her used to handling. (She has been in her tub this whole time, undisturbed except for water changes, spot cleanings, and feeding attempts)

Kashmir finally took a mouse tonight! I thawed one out, dried it off and dangled it in front of his hide and man he snatched it up with lightening speed. I`m very happy but just because he took it doesn`t mean he`ll eat it and even if he eats it ; it doesn`t mean he`ll keep it down. So I turned out the lights and left the room to give him some privacy and now I`m just waiting and hoping.