What would you do?

I have a pastel female born around 7/1/12. At last weigh in ( 9 / 5) she was 507g down from about 570. She stopped eating 5 months and a week ago. When I bought her she was a month old and had been on live. I switched her right away to frozen thawed mice and all was well. I am worried about her because she has become, I think, quite skinny. Her back bone is sharp and she just feels kind of weak when I hold her. But she is out of her hides and cruising around the cold side of her tub every night. She is in a rack with 4 other balls and they all eat like pigs. I offer her food every week but she seems scared of it (always F/T). What would you do at this point?

Here she is today. She looks Skinnier in person.
http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6a0f6782.jpg

Thank you for your time

Well, I bet other people might tell you to try a live feed...
I can honestly say I have no idea what I would do in your situation. You don't want to let it get too bad (or worse than it is). I wouldn't want to live feed either (and I don't)... but if it's that bad, you might want to try?

If you can handle offering something live, even a small meal so the snake won't get injured, that might work. I know with other snakes sometimes scenting a meal with something else (lizard, another snake) can help. Not sure about BPs though.

Wish I could be of more help. At any rate, I could be completely wrong.
At least this will give your post a bump. Good luck!!

507g is def light for a yearling. Most of my yearling girls are 800-1000+g. At this point, she needs to eat regardless. A bp that age should be GAINING weight, not losing. You should do whatever you can to get her to eat n gain weight....even if it means offering her live prey. Good luck with her

sent from my incubator

I saw go with live and sooner than later.

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Yes I have been considering live. I would do it for her. I'm just confused as to why she all of a sudden won't take F/T.

On a side note I actually bought a female that was a year old and only 180grams. From a refutable breeder too. She now eats like a pig and is gaining fast.

If you're concerned enough to post here I would start going down the entire list of fixes for tricky feeders, including feeding her live. Knock things off the list until you find something that works.

At this point I would put her on live until she puts some weight back on

For all of you that posted, thank you. I got her a live mouse and she took it. :)

If she actually takes a live meal, I would wave a live mouse around her and then wave a F/T mouse around her. Might be able to trick her into eating f/t, and eventually taking it without issues.

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Originally Posted by B.O.S Reptiles

If she actually takes a live meal, I would wave a live mouse around her and then wave a F/T mouse around her. Might be able to trick her into eating f/t, and eventually taking it without issues.

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Great Idea! Thanks!

Im glad she ate for you, but if feeding live bothers you I ha e a suggestion that works for one of my picky eaters who usually won't take f/t. I thaw like normal. Then take the mouse out, put the water in the microwave for a minute and a half then let the mouse warm up in the hot water till for 3-5.minutes. works like a charm

I agree with putting her on live. Sometimes you just have to give in and let them have what they really want. Have you tried leaving the f/t in all night?

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Originally Posted by SlitherinSisters

I agree with putting her on live. Sometimes you just have to give in and let them have what they really want. Have you tried leaving the f/t in all night?

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No I haven't. I did for another snake once, just didn't think of it. For now I plan on giving her a week and try F/T. Maybe her appetite has come back now that she's eaten. I will leave it in with her overnight if she doesn't take it.

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Originally Posted by Flikky

Yes I have been considering live. I would do it for her. I'm just confused as to why she all of a sudden won't take F/T.

On a side note I actually bought a female that was a year old and only 180grams. From a refutable breeder too. She now eats like a pig and is gaining fast.

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Say what? A year old at 180???

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Originally Posted by Flikky

For all of you that posted, thank you. I got her a live mouse and she took it. :)

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You can try f/t but I wouldn't for a few feedings, probably at least 5 to let her pick that weight back up. Try to make the rodent appear more lively, some people just hold the tail(like me) which doesn't work for all f/t eaters. I have one that you have to walk the rat across the tub between the shoulder blades and she doesn't like the tweezers.

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Originally Posted by Neal

You can try f/t but I wouldn't for a few feedings, probably at least 5 to let her pick that weight back up. Try to make the rodent appear more lively, some people just hold the tail(like me) which doesn't work for all f/t eaters. I have one that you have to walk the rat across the tub between the shoulder blades and she doesn't like the tweezers.

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I would also give her a few weeks on live then try to switch back, most important thing is getting weight back on.

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Originally Posted by Crazymonkee

Say what? A year old at 180???

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That's what the breeder told me ! Her hatch date was a year ago. I couldn't believe it either.

Okay, I probably will feed her live then for a few more weeks. Thanks again for all of your guys' help and advice

Could he have accidentally stated the wrong year? I would've asked again to make sure

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No he couldn't have because her hatch date is 8/5/12. I received her on 7/2/13 :oops: