Fasting oddly

[Thunder Kat]

I know that it is very common for bps to fast but the way mine is doing it is not. Ever since I got back from Vegas 4 months ago she has not shed and its been 2 months since she's pooed and she'll eat for a month and fast for a month and so on. Aside from me going on vacation nothing has changed! Temp is around 91, Humidity is around 50%, two hides, fresh water, ect... Last week I spoke to the Herpetologists at the zoo where I work weekends, he told me to check to see if there might be bacteria backed up in her vent, I did and no. He's going to make me a thermostat/UTH, he thinks that because I'm using a heat lamp that she might not be digesting food properly. I've been feeding small rats for about 6 months and now she'll act like she's hunting but when she gets close enough to strike she dart it the other direction like she's scared, so I tried mice and same thing! Has this happened to any of you? If so what did you do? Before any one asks no parasites, burns, scale rot, and she is not losing weight.

[Thunder Kat]

Does any one have any ideas or sugestions?????????????? As I said there are no signs of any kind of health problems and the closest quilified herp vet is over an hour away, with it being sooooo cold now I don't want to stress her or risk RI transporting her that far if there's some thing I can do. Every herper I've talked to has never heard of a BP fasting like this.

[Chubbz]

now is the time that they generally start fasting that may be the case...if s/hes not loosing any weight dont worry about it

[rabernet]

What sized enclosure is she in? I had a male fast for 8 months, and once I moved him to a smaller tub with no light, with a UTH on a thermostat, he began to eat again.

[Thunder Kat]

What sized enclosure is she in? I had a male fast for 8 months, and once I moved him to a smaller tub with no light, with a UTH on a thermostat, he began to eat again.

The tank is about 2 1/2' long 1' wide. I'm hoping when I get my UTH she'll start eating again! There's no weight loss, she is still active and alert (like normal), and no signs of health problems. No change in mood or physical appearance, I always tend to worry and freak out a little when ever eating habits change. Thanks!

[Sparky1]

The tank size seems alright, but you are probably on to something with the belly heat. Almost everyone of mine stick to the warm underbelly heat side for at least 1 day most the time 2 after feeding.

[Thunder Kat]

I just got my UTH yesterday, belly heat is between 91 & 93. I'm going to try to feed tomorrow, wish me luck. I'll let you guys know how it went. P.S. a little word of advice- don't ever ever trust mapquest! I went to mapquest to find to quickest way to the serpentarium (sp) from the zoo's rehab center, and mapquest sent me a total of 46 miles out of the way!!!!!! mapquest sent me to an exit that didn't even exist! and the nearest turn around was over 20mi from the zoo! so not only did I pretty much throw away about 15$ in gas but I was an hour late to meet the herpetologist but I was an hour and a half late for work! it was worth it, I got my UTH for only 10$, and every one that I've told so far has laughed their :cens0r: off at me.

[frankykeno]

Typical mapquest...it truly sucks that way.

Kat, I wouldn't try the feed so soon. Let the snake settle in to this new belly heat. Make sure you've worked out any tweaks with it, that sort of thing. Snakes always need time to adjust to changes so it's best to allow them that time (usually about a week or so).

If you have access to big fat live rat fuzzy (crawlers some call them) try one of those, pre-scent the area for about an hour, introduce the rat fuzzy and walk away. Cover her enclosure if you have her in a busy room with a dark sheet. Don't check and don't fuss around her. Leave her overnight if you want to. Rat fuzzies are a no risk live prey as their teeth are not erupted yet. Get a fuzzy that's about 10 to 12 days old or thereabouts and good and fat. Most of our ball pythons of any size just can't resist this type of yummy meal and it often kickstarts them back into a feeding pattern.

[Thunder Kat]

I couldn't feed then if I wanted to, right after I set up the UTH I noticed she was starting to go into shed mode. Yesterday she finished shedding so today I went to the pet store and got a mouse, she was eating rats but since its been a while I thought a mouse might be less intimidating. And she ate it no problem, I had another successful feed from my sav (it was a good day). Next week I'm going to buy another mouse and the week after I'll go back to small rats. Or do you guys think I should stay with mice for a little longer? What worked best for you? Keep in mind she's never fasted before this. I appreciate any advice.