Not getting enough to eat??????

[Whit-e]

I have read on numerous posts that feeding once a week is sufficient and also that one rat for an adult BP is also sufficient.

When we got our BP from the Rescue Society they were feeding him three adult mice every 7 to 10 days (they had him in their care for about 3 mo.), when we brought him home we switched him to one sm/med rat every Sunday night. Last night when we fed him he just did not seem satisfied and was looking around for more he just would not go back into his hide like he normally does.

Now, I posted a question last week about his weight and what you though his age might be, and you told me you thought he might be younger then the Rescue Society thought. He weights 1050 g.

So are you supposed to feed a "younger" BP more often? I just want to make sure he is getting enough. I know that they can go months and months without food, but he looked really hungry and he seems small to me, not sure how well he was taken care of before he came home with us. I know "power feeding" is bad but he just seems so hungry should I give him a bigger rat or just leave things be????

Also, I do have a poo sample ready to take to the vets today to get checked for parasites and an appointment made to have a good check-up, again as per your suggestions due to the fact the Rescue Society did not have that done, so I have not discounted this advise, just so you know.

Thanks for any input!

Peace

[littleindiangirl]

Something to consider first would be to cut his feedings to every 6 days. If he is sedated and laying around the day after eating, you know it was a good meal size. If they are up and about the next day hunting and prowling, try a bigger size. You can try a larger rat. By medium size, I'm assuming a 6 week old rat, about 150 grams.

BP's are oppurtunistic feeders and will overeat if given the chance. Just make sure to use common sense when feeding and I think you'll be golden.

A medium rat seems more than enough for a BP at 1050 grams, but something else to consider is he a chunky butt? I have some snakes that will eat a rat, and go cruising for more, I can give them another one, and they are still looking famished. Those are just my piggie eaters and take full advantage of what they are offered.

[Whit-e]

Well to us he seems very small, in girth. The only thing we have to compare to is the photos we see on-line and when we go into the Reptile Supply store we look at their BP's and compared to them he seems small. His neck is tiny and his body is not "tight", does that make sence? It is kindof like he has loose skin, not flapping or anything but not "full".

[littleindiangirl]

Have you had him tested for internal parasites? I know many rescue groups cannot afford to check all of their animals.

Do you have any pictures for us to compare with? Maybe with some common item that we can get an idea of size? That may make it easier for us to help you.

[Whit-e]

Also, I do have a poo sample ready to take to the vets today to get checked for parasites and an appointment made to have a good check-up, again as per your suggestions due to the fact the Rescue Society did not have that done, so I have not discounted this advise, just so you know.

I don't think you can really tell much from these pics and I can't seem to get them to turn out any bigger, grrrr.