Brought home a severely underweight BP baby. Please help me get her back on track

So I went to a big box pet store today. And, like I always do, I looked at the BPs. There were seven of them in the tank, and all looked okay except one. She was lying on the Aspen in the middle of the tank. Her whole body is deflated, she's wrinkly with sagging skin. I grabbed an employee and the manager and pointed it out, and they explained the feeding protocol and what they were doing about it (not much.) I was horrified to hear they feed the BPs pinkies. Stuck shed, too.

I have always been firmly on the side of "don't buy from big box stores" because it just feeds the practice. But when the employee took her out, and she barely even moved and just kind of hung mostly limp, my heart shattered. I asked if, given her condition, they would discount her price. They said I could take her for 50% off, and on top of that 50% off of everything I bought if I also needed supplies. It sounds like the non manager guy has snakes of his own and knows she's in bad shape but per store protocols can't do much about it, and really wants her in a good home. The 50% off the rest of his purchase was his idea, not his bosses.

I took the offer. They brought her paperwork, and it looks like she hasn't eaten in 7 weeks save for one pinkie last Thursday. She's lost 11 grams since arriving (at 12 they take them to the vet for force feeding, but the non-manager employee said last time they did that the snake died there.) She's set up with everything but a heat pad, waiting on a thermostat for that.

My question is when should I try feeding? She's so thin I want to get her to eat as fast as I can, but she's just been moved so I know she needs a few days to settle. What size? I am horribly squeamish about feeding live but if I need To I will. I wanted to try a fuzzy mouse first, with the hopes that with proper humidity she will take it, but should I offer live right off the bat? She HAS eaten frozen, just not recently, I'd guessed because of horrid husbandry. I'm not sure what I should do for her to get her back on track.

Help? Here's a pic of the poor girl.

Edit: idk if the pic is showing, so here's a direct link: https://imgur.com/a/x1xPRBH

https://imgur.com/a/x1xPRBH

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spoons

So I went to a big box pet store today. And, like I always do, I looked at the BPs. There were seven of them in the tank, and all looked okay except one. She was lying on the Aspen in the middle of the tank. Her whole body is deflated, she's wrinkly with sagging skin. I grabbed an employee and the manager and pointed it out, and they explained the feeding protocol and what they were doing about it (not much.) I was horrified to hear they feed the BPs pinkies. Stuck shed, too.

I have always been firmly on the side of "don't buy from big box stores" because it just feeds the practice. But when the employee took her out, and she barely even moved and just kind of hung mostly limp, my heart shattered. I asked if, given her condition, they would discount her price. They said I could take her for 50% off, and on top of that 50% off of everything I bought if I also needed supplies. It sounds like the non manager guy has snakes of his own and knows she's in bad shape but per store protocols can't do much about it, and really wants her in a good home. The 50% off the rest of his purchase was his idea, not his bosses.

I took the offer. They brought her paperwork, and it looks like she hasn't eaten in 7 weeks save for one pinkie last Thursday. She's lost 11 grams since arriving (at 12 they take them to the vet for force feeding, but the non-manager employee said last time they did that the snake died there.) She's set up with everything but a heat pad, waiting on a thermostat for that.

My question is when should I try feeding? She's so thin I want to get her to eat as fast as I can, but she's just been moved so I know she needs a few days to settle. What size? I am horribly squeamish about feeding live but if I need To I will. I wanted to try a fuzzy mouse first, with the hopes that with proper humidity she will take it, but should I offer live right off the bat? She HAS eaten frozen, just not recently, I'd guessed because of horrid husbandry. I'm not sure what I should do for her to get her back on track.

Help? Here's a pic of the poor girl.

Edit: idk if the pic is showing, so here's a direct link: https://imgur.com/a/x1xPRBH

https://imgur.com/a/x1xPRBH

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I possibly won't be popular here but here goes ..

Those wrinkles could well be signs of dehydration ... which given the store conditions is perfectly feasible ( aspen substrate , presumably low humidity etc ) .

Now IF it is even slightly dehydrated it won't look or feel well , certainly won't be eating ( despite the paperwork suggesting it ate one pinky last week ) ..

I'd give it a 25 minute soak in snake temp water , in a sealed plastic tub ( with loads of air holes in the lid ) .

After the soak it will look better , plumper and will probably feel much better . Then leave it completely alone for at least 7 days to let it settle down ...

For its first feeling attempt - leave it till the evening , dim lighting - WAIT until the snake is settled UNDER a hide and then try a small frozen-thawed mouse . Use the hairdryer method where you give the well thawed mouse a ten second blast with a hairdryer then offer the mouse INSTANTLY. .... Don't give up if it doesn't grab it - give it another hot blast and again offer INSTANTLY .

THIS is only my opinion ...

Here is a picture of the snake in question in case you can't see it above ..https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ca3158658e.jpg

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We recently got a BP from a big box store, also in bad shape. Moreso because of horrible stuck shed, but he also looks a bit underweight. I got his stuck shed off the first night we had him and fed 2 days later. He hadn't yet had anything to eat at the store.

What's her weight? Maybe try F/T mouse with the hairdryer trick, with the mouse about 10% of her bodyweight?

I hope she pulls through for you and recovers quickly in your care.

She is 50 grams right now I think is what her paperwork said. I'll double check. I ran out to find a thermostat but can't find one for under 60 bucks, so I'm going to order one. In the meantime I'll take the thermostat from my adult BP, since he will be fine without one for a few days and I think she needs it more right now.

I hope it's nothing that can't be fixed with proper husbandry & some "TLC".

I totally agree with Zincubus...hydration is more important than food right now- without that, she either won't eat or be able to digest it if she does.

Pinkies are too small, of course...I'd follow Zincubus' directions, offer f/t first...& a live fuzzy only as last resort.

How long before you get a thermostat? She still needs proper temperature options. (I'm sure you know that).

Hope that her discounted price makes up for her issues & that all goes well for you...it's so hard to ignore animals suffering, even when it feeds the system.

edit: I see you've already arrived at a temporary solution for the thermostat. :gj: Wishing you & snake the very best of luck.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I hope it's nothing that can't be fixed with proper husbandry & some "TLC".

I totally agree with Zincubus...hydration is more important than food right now- without that, she either won't eat or be able to digest it if she does.

Pinkies are too small, of course...I'd follow Zincubus' directions, offer f/t first...& a live fuzzy only as last resort.

How long before you get a thermostat? She still needs proper temperature options. (I'm sure you know that).

Hope that her discounted price makes up for her issues & that all goes well for you...it's so hard to ignore animals suffering, even when it feeds the system.

edit: I see you've already arrived at a temporary solution for the thermostat. :gj: Wishing you & snake the very best of luck.

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Well I know some in this forum are rather opposed to the 'soaking' of snakes and whilst I don't agree with regular soaking when you see a wrinkly snake like that one who's got such a bad back story - dehydration is a very real possibility - and a short soak as I described works absolute wonders -which can be seen IMMEDIATELY after the soak ..

Anybody soaking your Royals you MUST stay with the snake don't just leave it and walk away - they are fabulous escape artists .
[ I purposely chose to say ROYALS and not B*lls ;)]


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Why would anyone care if you soak a snake? I have given mine baths, typically I do this mostly after just getting them to encourage them to drink and hydrate, so there is a time and a place for it.

Okay, I've got her soaking in waterabout half as deep as her body while I set the thermostat up. Her skin feels so loose, I feel awful for her. I put in a few washcloths for her to slither on to help the loose shed.

I noticed a red patch on her side. Anyone have any ideas what it might be? It can't be a burn, the tank at the store didn't have any heating pads. Maybe just a scuff? I'll try to attach it but I'll also direct link a picture since it doesn't seem to always work attaching pics from my phone.

https://i.imgur.com/eZlnV44.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/eZlnV44.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Well I know some in this forum are rather opposed to the 'soaking' of snakes and whilst I don't agree with regular soaking when you see a wrinkly snake like that one who's got such a bad back story - dehydration is a very real possibility - and a short soak as I described works absolute wonders -which can be seen IMMEDIATELY after the soak ..

Anybody soaking your Royals you MUST stay with the snake don't just leave it and walk away - they are fabulous escape artists .
[ I purposely chose to say ROYALS and not B*lls ;)]


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Precisely! Whether it's chronic dehydration, a temporary shed issue or an "unknown" that presents the way this BP has, I'd be soaking it...& yes, only with supervision!
And if the "bath" needs to be repeated, I'd do that as well...but see how it goes first. One way to reduce any stress is to keep the water "luke-warm" & shallow, handle
the snake gently, and even add some traction in the form of a small towel under the water & under the snake. In fact, if the towel is thoroughly saturated, the water
can be even more shallow with the towel draped over the snake's body (all except the head)- just another way to do it.

Hard to say what that red area is...could be a burn from overhead light? (too close to screen?) Or just a scrape...either way, when she's dry I'd put regular
Neosporin ointment on it.

Poor thing,good luck with her progress, I think after a good soak she will feel a bit better,looks like it could be a burn but not sure from the pics ,should heal up after a few sheds ,I would still get it looked at by a vet,just in case of infection
Fingers crossed for you


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Well, she got her bath. All I had on hand was a 10 gallon (I wanted to do the dollar per gallon sale on a tank but they only go up to 29 and I know she'll outgrow it) but it suits her for now. I took Argus's thermostat and hooked it up for her, he will be fine for a few days without. She's now all snug inside her warm hide. I will give her some days before trying to feed. She will be okay for a few days? I want to offer as soon as it'll be okay to do so.

https://i.imgur.com/Oe2daP6.jpg

Yes, she's OK for a few days. You did good...let her rest.

you said they were feeding pinkies so it going to assume Petsmart! Grrrrrrrrrr!

ok what you need to do it start her small si ce she lost so much weight. Start with fuzzies. I hate starting so small but she is dehydrated and starving. One fuzzy every 4 day for 4 feedings. Then 2 fuzzies every four days for four feedings, then one hopper every four days for four feedings, 2 hoppers every four days then go to adult mouse.

Omg that poor baby! I hate petsmarts snake protocol. They just piss me right off!

Not PetSmart. I won't name it but that doesn't exactly leave many other choices, haha.

I dont think ANY big box store has an appropriate snake care protocol. You can't just have a set of written in stone rules when it comes to animals and expect them to work for 100% of animals that come in. Poor babies. I have good hopes for her though. She perked up quite a bit. She still hangs pretty limp when I picked her up to put her away after her bath, but she seemed a little more active and less like a wet noodle.

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Originally Posted by Alter-Echo

Why would anyone care if you soak a snake? I have given mine baths, typically I do this mostly after just getting them to encourage them to drink and hydrate, so there is a time and a place for it.

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Some do disapprove and quite strongly too ....


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spoons

Well, she got her bath. All I had on hand was a 10 gallon (I wanted to do the dollar per gallon sale on a tank but they only go up to 29 and I know she'll outgrow it) but it suits her for now. I took Argus's thermostat and hooked it up for her, he will be fine for a few days without. She's now all snug inside her warm hide. I will give her some days before trying to feed. She will be okay for a few days? I want to offer as soon as it'll be okay to do so.

https://i.imgur.com/Oe2daP6.jpg

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Somebody just suggested feeding her something smallish to start with and I tend to agree ..

I myself would leave her alone for 7 days now , just make sure she has access to clean , fresh water .

She's had a short soak and should feel better but still needs time to settle in and recuperate- in my opinion.
Just remember to try the hairdryer method at least for the first feeding attempt then once she's fed you will both have more confidence.


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As regards her soak .... how deep was the water ?? Did she have her head under water at any time ??

I've noticed that if it's deep enough and has a lid with air holes - they sometimes make a point of staying under for a while and they must drink some when they are as they look so much plumper straight afterwards.


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Everything I've ever read says to keep the water no deeper than half of the thickest part of their body, so that's about how deep it was. I didn't see her head under at any time, she mostly poked around at the lid and wanted out.

I will have to buy a hair dryer. I'm a woman, but I still don't have one! I've always used just hot water. But then again, I've only ever been feeding a ball python with a healthy appetite, and now I'm also feeding a sick (and picky!) Sand boa and an underweight, dehydrated baby ball. Might be worth it!

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Originally Posted by Spoons

I will have to buy a hair dryer. I'm a woman, but I still don't have one! I've always used just hot water.

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Nothing wrong with using warm water to bring a f/t feeder up to temperature, especially if the snake is dehydrated. Eating a wet feeder will help rehydrate the snake.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spoons

Not PetSmart. I won't name it but that doesn't exactly leave many other choices, haha.

I dont think ANY big box store has an appropriate snake care protocol. You can't just have a set of written in stone rules when it comes to animals and expect them to work for 100% of animals that come in. Poor babies. I have good hopes for her though. She perked up quite a bit. She still hangs pretty limp when I picked her up to put her away after her bath, but she seemed a little more active and less like a wet noodle.

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I work for Petco and that is NOT protocol. I take care of my babies. And mine are on adult mice. So if they are saying pinkies I need the location right now!

The snakes at your location are very lucky to have someone who knows how to take care of them. I'm glad that there are the good ones out there, but it definitely seems to be the exception, not the rule

Keep an eye on that red spot for sure! Like Bogertophis said, try some regular neosporin. The stuff with painkillers is bad for them. Also... until that spot heals, I would keep the baby on paper towels.
Hopefully, it will clear up with some good humidity, meals and a good shed. Malnourished babies like this will get very dry and delicate skin, so even just scraping up against a rock hide may have done this. Once she gets into a good feeding schedule and a couple of good sheds and you won't have that problem again.

Hopefully she will eat the f/t for you! If not, I would try a live fuzzy mouse.
I adopted a pastel gal from a big box who refused f/t for a long time. Almost 3 months. They were assist feeding her pinkies each week after the first month, but she was just waiting on something live. She was thin, but not nearly as dehydrated/malnourished as this little one. When I took her we popped her in a deli cup, went to the reptile store and she ate the live right there. 5 months later and she's been eating f/t like a champ and gaining weight quick.

I hope this little one turns around quick.
If she is still refusing meals and that red spot starts to look worse or her belly starts turning red, she needs a vet visit asap. But hopefully she realizes how lucky she is and does well for you!

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

I work for Petco and that is NOT protocol. I take care of my babies. And mine are on adult mice. So if they are saying pinkies I need the location right now!

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I actually work for Petsmart and that is not the policy for them either. So if you do see something like this, ask for the corporate # and file a complaint.

Thank you, I think I will find a way to contact corporate. I don't think there's any excuse for a snake to look like this in their sale tanks.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spoons

Everything I've ever read says to keep the water no deeper than half of the thickest part of their body, so that's about how deep it was. I didn't see her head under at any time, she mostly poked around at the lid and wanted out.

I will have to buy a hair dryer. I'm a woman, but I still don't have one! I've always used just hot water. But then again, I've only ever been feeding a ball python with a healthy appetite, and now I'm also feeding a sick (and picky!) Sand boa and an underweight, dehydrated baby ball. Might be worth it!

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If she didn't drink while in the bath, another way you can encourage her to drink is to gently dribble water over her head, like under gently running tap. (it mimics
rain, which snakes instinctively drink from)

I only use hot water to warm feeders too, but then again, I don't currently have any snakes that are that fussy. I agree- the tiny bit of extra hydration from soaking
prey items in warm water could only be a plus.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Some do disapprove and quite strongly too ....


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Yeah, I've heard people say the same about soaking bearded dragons too but none of mine have ever seemed to mind and often drink eagerly, so I'll keep doing it till there is a law against it. Lol

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Some do disapprove and quite strongly too ....

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I'm curious to know the reason(s) they disapprove?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alter-Echo

Yeah, I've heard people say the same about soaking bearded dragons too but none of mine have ever seemed to mind and often drink eagerly, so I'll keep doing it till there is a law against it. Lol

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Over here in the UK they seem rather more tolerant of the occasional soak , wether it be for a dehydrated snake or even to sort out a very stubborn shed when a snake just looks a mess as a result of poor living conditions .

Oddly enough ... Many years ago I collected an beaut young albino Royal off a backstreet breeder and it just wouldn't eat for me . Then few weeks later after I posted a photo on a forum , one of the first replies said it was rather dehydrated and needed a soak urgently .

Thing is I was told to use a see through tub with a lid , put loads of air holes in the top , fill it up to 2/3 with snake-temp water , put the snake in , cover with a towel to make it darker .

Leave to soak for 25 minutes BUT stay with it , don't even get distracted as they are great escape artists .

Initially the snake will move around the tub rather quickly as it checks every nook and cranny to try and escape ( just as many do when they're put in a new viv or rub) .

After a minute or so they're nice and calm and will even CHOOSE to stay underwater - even though they could easily keep their head above water if they preferred .

( the common consensus online suggests that snakes are happy to stay underwater for up to 30 minutes incidentally )

I think the deeper water simply encourages them to take in some water as over the years when I've had to soak a snake they've looked instantly better and plumper immediately afterwards .

Well that's how one of the most experienced keepers told me to soak a snake - and it works ..

As I said some people reckon you don't need to soak at all , a spray of the tank , a moist hide or even putting them in a wet pillow case in the Viv are all other suggestions BUT I still advise a soak if there is a chance the snake is even slightly dehydrated ..


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Left her alone today, except a brief check on that red spot on her side to make sure it isn't something more than a scuff, or getting worse. The spot is looking better, it took me a a bit to find it. Her condition broke me heart all over again. So wrinkly, even her head has wrinkles. Her belly is sunken in, forming a concave 'n' shape. Her skin feels so soft and delicate, like a geriatric person's skin. When she lays down, she's so flat, her skin kind of puddles underneath her. Her scales keep catching on my hand, I was unsure if that was due to being dry, or so thin that her skin isn't 'tight' so to speak. Ishould have taken a quick pic but I wanted to get her back in the tank ASAP.

Very sweet though. Crused around a bit for the 30 seconds I checked her spot, then settled back in under her hot hide. I'm wondering if I should soak her once more? Or let her be and drink of her own accord? Or maybe just mist and let the heightened humidity take care of it? I want it quiet and peaceful for her to acclimate, but I also want her to get better. I am leaving a few days this weekend so I thought I would try feeding Saturday. (The wait is going to be brutal, I want her to eat so badly!)

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It's totally your call, but I'd probably give her another gentle soak...just to help ensure that she's hydrated enough to digest her upcoming meal. Poor baby!

You might want to offer food on Friday eve...just in case she chucks it up, it won't be stinking for the several days you're gone. Of course, she could do
that later, but it's more likely (if at all) to happen fairly fast. I sure hope she'll eat right off for you...:please:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spoons

Left her alone today, except a brief check on that red spot on her side to make sure it isn't something more than a scuff, or getting worse. The spot is looking better, it took me a a bit to find it. Her condition broke me heart all over again. So wrinkly, even her head has wrinkles. Her belly is sunken in, forming a concave 'n' shape. Her skin feels so soft and delicate, like a geriatric person's skin. When she lays down, she's so flat, her skin kind of puddles underneath her. Her scales keep catching on my hand, I was unsure if that was due to being dry, or so thin that her skin isn't 'tight' so to speak. Ishould have taken a quick pic but I wanted to get her back in the tank ASAP.

Very sweet though. Crused around a bit for the 30 seconds I checked her spot, then settled back in under her hot hide. I'm wondering if I should soak her once more? Or let her be and drink of her own accord? Or maybe just mist and let the heightened humidity take care of it? I want it quiet and peaceful for her to acclimate, but I also want her to get better. I am leaving a few days this weekend so I thought I would try feeding Saturday. (The wait is going to be brutal, I want her to eat so badly!)

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After that description I myself would give her another 25 minute soak BUT try the way I was told .

You really just got her damp yesterday which is no bad thing in her condition but I'd suggest the sealed container with air holes in the lid , fill it 2/3 full and let her soak .. she will soon choose to be submerged and that's when they take the water in .

Nothing to lose and if you follow the method I described a few posts back properly I can virtually guarantee she will look much better and plumper straight afterwards..

You can cover the tub with a towel to give her some security.

She will wriggle and try every corner to get out at first which is expected but it only lasts a minute or so then they relax .

Remember to stay with the tub though, don't just walk away as they're great at escaping !


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She's obviously pretty weak, I'd be careful about keeping the water shallow, unless you put a small towel in there too, something to give her traction.

No matter how badly you want her to eat & fill out, remember to only feed a small prey item...her system won't be able to handle it the way a normal
healthy snake would. Weekly small meals will do far more good than too much at once...a snake that is starving also does not have good digestive enzymes
ready to go.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I'm curious to know the reason(s) they disapprove?

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I've also seen that said quite a few times on this forum, something about soaking them removes the natural oils?
Maintaining proper humidity in the cage is of course ideal which would usually negate the need for a soak in the first place.

A dehydrated baby with possibly bad shed, I, personally, don't see it doing any harm but that is just my humble opinion.
:)

OP, good luck with your little one, I hope they pull through!

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

I've also seen that said quite a few times on this forum, something about soaking them removes the natural oils?
Maintaining proper humidity in the cage is of course ideal which would usually negate the need for a soak in the first place.

A dehydrated baby with possibly bad shed, I, personally, don't see it doing any harm but that is just my humble opinion.
:).....

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I disagree but the debate is for another time & place...I've no wish to detract from the topic at hand. (but "oil" doesn't dissolve in water...I'll need some very
compelling evidence to over-ride my years of experience-) As you implied, in a perfect world (or at least perfect husbandry) there'd be no need. ;)

Gave her a nice soak in Luke warm water several inches deep. I didn't trust her ability to hold her head above water so I wadded a rag into the corner, but she instead spent her time angrily slithering around looking for a way out. I watched her the entire time, I didn't see her drink, or put her head above water - but it had to have been good for her regardless. Looks like she won't be one of those pythons that likes enjoys swimming!

She gave me a good look at her scuff, which turns out to be scuffs plural. One on either side of what should be the fattest past of her. I'm pretty sure at some point she probably tried to fit somewhere too small for her to fit and got scraped. I'm not worried about it, they're looking good.

Back in her tank til Saturday! I have a mouse fuzzy to offer her. Small, but better than nothing and better than pinkies.

(The water is clean, she's on a dark surface with a dark towel!) https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...88921bad80.jpg

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How long was the soak ... if she took any water in she would have looked instantly better and plumper .. does she look any plumper or still as wrinkled ?
Did you cover the whole tub with a towel .?

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30 minutes. It's hard to tell if she looks plumper, honestly, given the condition she's in. I couldn't for sure tell you. I covered the entire tub except one side so I could watch her and make sure she was ok, in as dark a room as I could get and still see.

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Not sure how to edit on Tapatalk so I'll add on: she's still incredibly wrinkly, but she's got both lack of food and dehydration both, so the water is only going to go so far, no?

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She needs water more than food, and first; severe dehydration reduces her ability to digest & she might regurgitate, a bigger setback that results in even
more loss of fluids & necessary enzymes, so it's something you want to avoid. By feeding only pinks or fuzzies, that will help (they're easier to digest).

But yes, of course she needs nutrition too. If she was my snake, I'd probably tube-feed her (chicken babyfood, thinned) but she is weak & not the best
snake for you to learn to do that with*...so best you hope she'll take small food & soon. (*done with skill, it's not a big stress on the snake, too bad we
aren't neighbors)

Will I figured if she won't take the fuzzy, I figured I would go get a live fuzzy and offer that. I don't like feeding live mostly out of my own squeamishness and inconvenience but it's more important that she take something.

If absolutely necessary I would try force feeding, but only after I try the normal route! I will keep her water full and mist her tank to try and keep it a little more humid maybe.

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I don't recommend force-feeding at all...and that's not the same thing as tube-feeding (though obviously, they don't "volunteer" for that either, lol).

And again, I'd try feeding her Friday night instead of Saturday if you'll be going away for a few days this weekend. That way you'll have a good idea
as to whether or not she keeps it down.

Friday works a little better for me actually so I will try that. (And it's a day sooner, less for me to wait!)

I might have to learn something, my sick Kenyan Sandy in my other thread is refusing to eat again (stress of injections I expect) and is dropping weight real fast. Hoping she takes the pinkie left for her tonight!

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Sad to see that the poor baby was so terribly cared for, hopefully corporate takes care of that swiftly, before any more end up like that.

Normally i'm one of the many that talks about not buying from big box stores, but I would've caved just like you if I saw one in that condition. The soaks are nice, and as said above add that neosporin. Hope everything is going well with her, her moving around a bit is hopefully an improvement, compared to your original description of how she was acting. That girl needs to rest for a good while, keep us updated if she eats. If she does, and manages to keep it down, she'll be on the right track.

Poor little noodle.

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Originally Posted by Spoons

...I might have to learn something, my sick Kenyan Sandy in my other thread is refusing to eat again (stress of injections I expect) and is dropping weight real fast. Hoping she takes the pinkie left for her tonight! ...

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I'll be happy to give you instructions (it's really good to know anyway!) but for right now, try feeding the normal way, that's always preferable. And many snakes
undergoing medical care (injections or oral meds) aren't going to eat anyway...so don't be shocked...and if they do, they might toss it back up, depending on what
the med. is- did the vet suggest you feed on schedule or wait?

Rotten luck, two snakes needing extra care at the same time...

She said to feed as usual, but it's hard timing wise. Injections are every 3 days, and you don't want to feed right before, and they're also not likely to take it same day post injection. She wants to eat, she takes the pink and moves it around but won't actually eat. I wouldn't be worried about missed feedings for a Kenyan but she's lost two grams, and she only started at 10. I have read that force feeding a segment of rat tail is quick, easy (slides right down), and has a lot of protein so that is what I am considering.

In my days rehabbing wildlife I had to tube/Gavage fed a wide variety of small fragile animals, so I'm no stranger. Just never done a snake! Usually birds and rabbits. I'm certainly leery.

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Sunnieskies I got mine a month ago from Petco in Burbank and they said pinkies and pinkies only as it “cant be given anything bigger than its head”. The poor baby was so underweight is was scary to look at it at first

And for the OP I got my baby from Petco in a very similar condition although he seemed a little less dehydrated he hadn’t eaten in a while and was fed on pinkie mice his entire life prior. He had a lot of wrinkly saggy skin but didn’t have any scabs and had a moderate energy level. I had a bit hightened humidity (constantly misting) for the first couple days and kept a very close eye on the temperatures. After I settled him in I made a point to not handle or bother him for 5 days to let him adjust after the move and then offered first F/T meal. I found the smallest rat pup (seemed like the most appropriate sized item for him) available at the nearby store and used the hair drier trick and he took it almost right away. I’ve been feeding him every 5 days afterwards and he’s had a wonderful appetite, shed after about two weeks and is now looking like a happy healthy snake after a month. I hope your baby recovers quickly and nicely too!

Sadly, many pet stores ("big box" or otherwise) often under-feed their snakes so they stay "small & cute" & don't out-grow their display tanks. Most of their
employees are just minimum wage workers doing as they're told; even if they know better, they might not be rewarded for "doing better by the animals".

It's a very tough call, buying from such stores: they have no incentive to change when what they're doing keeps them in business. It's refreshing to find pet
stores where they truly understand snakes & do right by them, but they're in the minority. I've only gotten a couple snakes (out of countless # over the years)
from pet stores, so I have "no room to talk" about "never" enabling bad pet stores, and you still have to do a little "homework" buying from private breeders,
but that's usually the best option, as long as you check their references & ask questions. Experience to know what you're looking at helps too...snakes can have
very subtle symptoms.

When I first got my first snake, a male BP, I wasn't sure what size to feed. I stood at the frozen fridge starting til an employee came and asked if I needed help. I said yes please, I am not sure what size food for a baby ball python?

Him and his TWO co-workers came to the concensus that I needed crickets, or something cricket sized, because they "can't eat anything bigger than the distance between their eyes."

I couldn't believe what they bad just said. I stared for a few seconds wondering if it was a joke. I don't even remember if I corrected them or not, but I often think back to it. If that's how little they know about the snakes, never surprised to hear the stories - and now see - the snakes in horrible condition.

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