Feeding issue

Well i have a male pinstirpe who has refused to eat for four months now, and has lost 200 grams. Not to sure of what to do, he was eating live rats before i got him but will no longer even act interested. His temps are good, has a semi-tight hide, clean tub, fresh water, housed in a 41 quart tub. So to me everything seems correct. His body is starting to look fairly triangular so it is freaking me out a bit. Any help will be great, thanks.

I would try a live mouse...Also moving him to a smaller tub may help.

Depending on the size of your snake....200 grams can be about the time you should worry for real. Now BG would probably just dose it with Flagyl. Yeah yeah, some people will complain about that. These people are the "experts" though. The real experts know this will work 99% of the time with absolutely zero harm to your snake. If not, you may have issues and need a real vet visit.

BG could go through a million things to do, but to be honest, it would take some time. Your best bet would be to do a search of the forums(hate saying this) and find some good advice from a forum member you trust. Flagyl would probably solve your problem very quickly though.:gj:

I should have given more information sorry; i have tried a live rat, fresh killed rat, frozen thawed rat, live mouse and fresh killed mouse and he wouldnt take any. Moved him to a 28 qt tub for about a month and no change. Not sure how to bump up his temp like some people have told me in the past since he is in a rack controlled by a herpstat pro. When i first got him he was 930 grams and is now down to 740 grams. I will go search through the forums some more and see if can find anything else to try

Alright so i am at a loss of what to do. Took him to the vet (wont even go into that experience) and they prescribed flagyl. Gave him his 5 days exactly like insturcted, waited for a few days after his last dose and then offered him a small rat. He could care less. Maybe its just because its breeding season, it just sucks that he will still not eat.

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Originally Posted by Step Johns

Alright so i am at a loss of what to do. Took him to the vet (wont even go into that experience) and they prescribed flagyl. Gave him his 5 days exactly like insturcted, waited for a few days after his last dose and then offered him a small rat. He could care less. Maybe its just because its breeding season, it just sucks that he will still not eat.

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Probably wasted some money but at least you know he is healthy.

The significant weight loss can be explain especially if the first wait was not on empty.

It not uncommon for them to fast during winter months/breeding season I have some doing so anywhere between 6 to 9 months.

If the husbandry is optimal, stress is minimal (limit your handling) all you can do is wait it out, he knows how to eat and will resume feeding when ready.

Meanwhile make sure he is well hydrated and keep monitoring him.

It happens, it's frustrating but you'll get used to it.

I hope that he will eat for you soon.

Have you tried assisted/force feeding?

It was mentioned to make sure you keep him well hydrated. Other than making sure they always have access to clean water - should we also be soaking them once a week???

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Originally Posted by Monster Dodge

Have you tried assisted/force feeding?

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No, i have always been told to only do this with hatchlings, and that it can hurt larger older snakes