Help! Odyn stopped eating

It has been since 8/27. He won't eat since going to the vet. He will not eat! Husbandry is the same. Ambient 80-81 uth at 90 regulated Che as well" humidity 60. Not going into shed. I gave him over a week to calm down and haven pt touched him or tried to feed him. Please help! He has only lost 6 grams but he has always been a good eater. Did the vet trip and anesthesia mess him up? Do I need to try live again like when he was a baby!

How often are you offering? Sometimes offering food too often leads to more refusals.

He hasn't lost much weight so try not to stress too much!

I don't know if this helps, but try waving it in front of whatever hide he is in. I had to do that with my albino he would not take because he was laying on his head(lol). so I waved it a few times to try and get the scent into the hide then left it. for a few and he bit. Other than that all I can give is what I have seen other people say such as try the hair dryer while being in the room maybe with the enclosure door open to scent it further. Or over the screen top/opening if you have one.

Sorry for not being much help :(

I honestly don't know anything about anesthesia so I can't help there.

But, I would imagine he's just doing what BPs do.

How much does he weigh?
How often are you offering?

I'm honestly not aware of anesthesia affecting their appetite, only the stress of the overall vet visit, & it's been more than long enough since, I would think.
Sorta typical for a BP though (how old is he now?) you might try a live fuzzy, see how he reacts?

If he has been eating frozen for a while, I wouldn't go to live just yet, unless you want to chance a longer term doing live.

I second Craig and would like to know his age/weight/etc.

If he's over a year or two old or 800+ grams, it is entirely possible he refused a few weeks due to stress and then the breeding switch flipped and he is starting to fast. From my research, even really good eaters can flip that breeding switch one year and fast over winter. (Maybe he smelled a girl at the vet and instinct is kicking in?)

Since you're saying he only lost 6 grams (as long as that isn't a typo), unless he is <200 grams, I don't think that is a big deal at all.

For reference, I bought my adult male Obi right around now last year and he went on a 5 month fast where he accepted at most 1or 2 mice (max 20g each) every month or so for me and nothing else. He dropped from 1,350g when I got him down to around 1,200 before he started taking food reliably again in March. His max weight for me so far was 1,450g (tho I'm betting he didn't get all of his poop done with that weight... he's very tough to get an empty weight on). He averages 1,330-1,370g.

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My advice would be wait another week maybe 2 and don’t stress!

let him get good and hungry.

I was discussing with Craig recently and I truly feel we have all been programmed to feed weekly if they don’t eat they are sick...

i dont subscribe to that and like boas etc I feel feedings need to be spaced especially with age and size.

My boy thunder hit that 1,0000 g plateau and started refusing. Mix in a shed and I was like ahhhhh

then I waited 2 weeks no offering and bam. Since then I’ve offered every 2 weeks and if he’s in shed he’s gone 3 weeks and bam bam no issues.

I think bps get the bad eater rep cause we try to feed to often. If we spaced feedings more and more they would eat better.

I wouldn’t worry just yet, I keep detailed records of how my boys eat. Every now and the I get a couple of refusals. I usually feed every 5 to 6 days, but the only time they are consistent is from late August to late December. From January to May not so much. Then I back off to anywhere from weekly to biweekly. I’m definitely noticing a pattern now especially with my older ones. I also feed jumbo mice, I think a big reason so many stop is over feeding and too large of meals. One of the other members also said this was something he noticed also. I got two of my boys pushing 1600 grams right now (they are both 2014’s). I’m also a tanker, lol. Sometimes balls will be balls. Good luck, hang in there. And always double check everything.

Unless he’s a baby or super skinny, I’d give him a few more weeks and try again. Actually, if he’s recovering from an injury, it’s probably just as well that he doesn’t do anything that will pull on it or put pressure on it, which eating might do. And then maybe give him an undersized meal the first time or two just to go easy on the injured area.

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Originally Posted by Coluber42

Unless he’s a baby or super skinny, I’d give him a few more weeks and try again. Actually, if he’s recovering from an injury, it’s probably just as well that he doesn’t do anything that will pull on it or put pressure on it, which eating might do. And then maybe give him an undersized meal the first time or two just to go easy on the injured area.

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If I remember correctly from prior posts, the injury/surgery was an attempt to remove fused/retained eye caps, and not something that would otherwise impact eating like stitches or a burn wound. Feeding for those other injuries would certainly be risky, but I think this time it isn't the issue.

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Originally Posted by Kira

How often are you offering? Sometimes offering food too often leads to more refusals.

He hasn't lost much weight so try not to stress too much!

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every two weeks right now since he is an adult.

Sunnieskys,

I think this has come in other threads about BP's not eating and you said if it happened to you, you would freak out. Am I correct?

Okay, first, a few deep breathes. Know we are all here for you and it will be okay.

Now, please remind us why he went to the vet and had anesthesia and his weight and age when possible.

If he's as old/big as I think he is, there is nothing to worry about at all.

BP's skip meals as they get older and when they are adults, it's what most of them do, especially males. Additionally, this is the time of year that many BP's start fasting. Shayna, my BP, started fasting in year 2 of her life and has done it every year since (4 years now). She starts around now and generally goes about 5 months. She loses 5-8% of her body weight and then starts eating again. She gains it all back within 2-3 months.

If you have been successfully feeding frozen/thawed, do not deviate. Keep offering F/T. He's probably just doing a BP fast thing.

How often are you offering food normally? Weekly, every other week, etc? What food items are you offering?

If he's refusing and you are offering every week. Go to every two weeks offering. If he refuses two meals in a row. Go to every month offering until he eats again. It may be a while, but HE WILL EAT AGAIN!

Remember, this BP food refusal and fasting behavior is much. much, harder on us as keepers/Snarents than on them.

Let us know some more info when you can, but I think I will stand by what I just said (unless he's 3 months old and 200G).

Deep breathes and it will be okay!

UPDATE: Just saw your response above. You must have written while I was typing mine. If he's an adult. You may be in for a 5-6 month+ fast, but everything I said above is applicable. He can probably go a year without food before I'd worry. I wouldn't even question it unless he loses more than 10% of his body weight.

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Originally Posted by VereMyth

I don't know if this helps, but try waving it in front of whatever hide he is in. I had to do that with my albino he would not take because he was laying on his head(lol). so I waved it a few times to try and get the scent into the hide then left it. for a few and he bit. Other than that all I can give is what I have seen other people say such as try the hair dryer while being in the room maybe with the enclosure door open to scent it further. Or over the screen top/opening if you have one.

Sorry for not being much help :(

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I have been doing that and he won't take it. My hair dryer died but I make sure the rat is over 100 degrees. I defrosted on top of the screen today as well.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

I honestly don't know anything about anesthesia so I can't help there.

But, I would imagine he's just doing what BPs do.

How much does he weigh?
How often are you offering?

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812g and offering every two weeks since he is a big boy now.

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Originally Posted by pretends2bnormal

If I remember correctly from prior posts, the injury/surgery was an attempt to remove fused/retained eye caps, and not something that would otherwise impact eating like stitches or a burn wound. Feeding for those other injuries would certainly be risky, but I think this time it isn't the issue.

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I'll second that ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

And to be clear, when I agreed that the OP might try a live "appetizer", that's an option that's debatable...you hate to regress, but it often does work.
When I kept BPs, I also raised rodents, so easy availability (& variety) was always there, but it isn't ideal for many keepers, & depending on the size/age
of the BP, this refusal may have nothing to do with the vet visit at all. He's most likely just being a typical BP. (It's also why I love my rat snakes, lol...)

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

812g and offering every two weeks since he is a big boy now.

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Big boy! I stick by what I said. I wouldn't even begin to worry until he's lost 10% of his body weight. If he gets below 730G, you can start to be concerned, but even then, if he's body shape is good, he's probably fine. He will eat again.

Ok. Boop ate his rat last night so I will wait another two weeks to offer and give boop his rat again if he refuses. He has always been such a great eater. He really isn't even coming out of his hides like he used too. He just sulks.

and no I'm not giving boop two rats. She only got his. I actually thinks she likes small rats better than the mediums. Weird.

Glad he ate for you. They'll sometimes slow down or stop feeding altogether especially during the colder months.

Ball pythons are like kids...you can't live with 'em but you can't live without 'em...:rolleyes: Don't let their head-games make you second-guess your skills.

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

812g and offering every two weeks since he is a big boy now.

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Ok, sounds perfect. I wouldn't worry or change a thing.

Tyson took his first "break" starting in Feb and ended in June. He went 2/2 - 6/5 without a meal and take a guess what his weight was....yup 810 when he started.

So based on past experience, all that I've read, and my current experience with Tyson, I would wager that Odyn is taking a break and will eat when he's ready. It'll likely be a few months. Try not to worry (I know, easier said than done). Like Dakski said, as long as he doesn't drop below 730 grams or so I wouldn't worry. Keep offering every few weeks.
As of now, I would say it's annoying, but not a health concern, just a BP being a BP.

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

Ok. Boop ate his rat last night so I will wait another two weeks to offer and give boop his rat again if he refuses. He has always been such a great eater. He really isn't even coming out of his hides like he used too. He just sulks.

and no I'm not giving boop two rats. She only got his. I actually thinks she likes small rats better than the mediums. Weird.

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He's not sulking.

When BP's fast in the winter, they also kind of brumate. They slow their metabolisms down and are in half hibernation mode. They are purposely relaxing/slowing down so they can not eat for a while.

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Glad he ate for you. They'll sometimes slow down or stop feeding altogether especially during the colder months.

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He didn't eat, boop ate his rat after he refused it.

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

Ok. Boop ate his rat last night so I will wait another two weeks to offer and give boop his rat again if he refuses. He has always been such a great eater. He really isn't even coming out of his hides like he used too. He just sulks.

and no I'm not giving boop two rats. She only got his. I actually thinks she likes small rats better than the mediums. Weird.

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I would keep doing exactly that. Offer every two weeks to Odyn, coinciding with Boops feeding day. If Odyn eats, defrost another for Boop. If Odyn refuses, feed Boop.

You got this. You're doing everything I would be suggesting and doing myself. :gj:

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

He didn't eat, boop ate his rat after he refused it.

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My bad. Got my wires crossed. Still, no need to worry. As long as your temps are good he'll be fine. I've had bulls, carpets and kings go 2-3 months without eating. I've had BPs go 8-12 months without food and without issues. Keep an eye on him just to make sure he doesn't lose a lot of weight. Other than that just keep offering every 2-4 weeks. I wouldn't be too concerned until at least spring. :gj:

Tried to feed Odyn again tonight. Nope! Boop took his again. He seems interested and sniffs (tongue flicks) and search but will not take it. Haven't weighed him yet. I will do that this week. I thought the new cage, bigger space, left alone for a while but no he won't eat. He was fine before the vet.

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

Tried to feed Odyn again tonight. Nope! Boop took his again. He seems interested and sniffs (tongue flicks) and search but will not take it. Haven't weighed him yet. I will do that this week. I thought the new cage, bigger space, left alone for a while but no he won't eat. He was fine before the vet.

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When you took him to the vet, did he get chilled at any point during the travel or office visit? (did you take him in insulated "ice" chest w/ warmth of some kind?)
The vet's office was probably on the cool side too? He just figures it's winter & he's not taking any "chances"...some people are more cautious than others and so
are some snakes. :cool:

They put him on a warming pad. He had it when I picked him up. I actually had to give it back to them and he laid on me when I picked him up. He was relieved to see me. So I don't think he was chilled. He showed interest every time I feed but he won't take the rat.

Just keep doing what you're doing, offering every two weeks. Track his weight as well. Assuming he's not losing weight I wouldn't sweat it. I know it's frustrating, but unfortunately it's what we signed up for getting into the BP game.

I have no experience with reptiles and anesthetics, but I know they can REALLY mess up dogs and cats! I suspect though that it's just as likely that Odyn is just being a ball python. I bought a young male last October who was underweight and, as a result, had a fabulous feeding response. In January he suddenly quit eating, I was stunned because he's NEVER missed a meal prior to that. After 9 weeks, (with me an emotional wreck) he just as suddenly decided he was hungry again and returned to his normal excellent eating habits. I'm curious to see how he does this year, ... but can assure you that I'm not going to be nearly as anxious about him this year if he goes on another fasting session. :-)

I think Odyn will be just fine, just hang in and try not to worry. <3

Omg omg omg, Odyn just took an adult mouse and coiled it. We will see if he eats it. He a least took it! This makes me do a happy dance. I weighed him yesterday and he is at 740g. He has lost 80g since his fast. Please, please let him eat!

He ate it! Holy crap he actually ate it! My stress level just went down. 3 months! Ugh!

I wouldn't worry quite yet. The stress from the visit, plus whatever treatments he was given (I'm sorry, I didn't see the thread where he was sick) could easily throw him off feed. Also, just for those of you that were wondering - anesthesia can throw off any animals appetite, as can even minor surgery. In mammals it usually takes 24-72 hours for the body to completely filter out all of the drug, and in this time some animals eat far less. In a snake, with their much slower metabolism I can see it taking longer for the drugs to get out of their system (maybe not as long as he's gone, but it can certainly affect them).

Anesthesia and sedatives are removed via the liver and kidneys, as are most antibiotics. Since snakes livers actually change in size depending on meals, so if they are also filtering out drugs it may make them not feel like eating as well.

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

He ate it! Holy crap he actually ate it! My stress level just went down. 3 months! Ugh!

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Congratulations! I know you are relieved. :)

Wow, just say that he ate right after I posted! Congratulations!

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

He ate it! Holy crap he actually ate it! My stress level just went down. 3 months! Ugh!

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:dance: :banana::pinkele::carrot: Hooray, Happy Dance!

He ate again tonight. He ate two adult mice tonight to ease him back to his normal size food. He was out hunting last night. I'm so happy he is back on food. My little boy is eating again!

What a great feeling, now you can relax. Atta boy, Odyn! :snake2:

Excellent news


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