I am hoping for some advice as my vet is recommending that I if i can't get my ball python to eat that PTS could be the most humane option. (Put to Sleep).

History : I previously (2021) I had feeding issues with my BP. That time he went 7/8 months without feeding. After blood tests from the vets and a course of antibiotics, + the tips from this site I got him back eating again. He then went the whole of 2022 feeding fine.

Christmas 2022 he struck my finger instead of the rat and wouldn't let go. I managed to uncoil him, and gently remove him from my thumb. (Thumb was a bit bruised, bit of blood and had a nice BP shaped mouth imprint but was fine). He hid away for a few weeks and I didn't feed him for 6-7 weeks as he wasn't interested. I took him to the vets to confirm that I hadn't damaged his jaw removing him from my thumb. ( Vet said all is good). His weight then was 1.3 KG

Since then I been trying to feed him monthly with no success.

I've double, triple and quadruple checked his setup with the " How to set-up a glass tank".
Tried all the usual tricks recommended here including
  • Changing his bedding and cleaning his tank ,
  • Using a hair dryer ,
  • Putting a mouse/rat on-top of his cage an hr before feeding.
  • Feeding in a different tub,
  • Tried different sized Mice , Rats, cutting them up and exposing their brains.
  • The vet has also recommended bathing him in Reptoboost every 2 weeks.


I had him back to the vets mid August. His weight now is 950g. My vet ran some blood tests again but these came back clean. He has started to loose his colour, the vet has said this is in indication of his body staring to shut down to save energy and they tube feed him.

He is a Bumble Bee Morph and has the spider gene. The vet has described his wobble on the higher end of the spectrum and once his head leaves the ground he cannot control it. I must stress that when he has fed before he is a very very strong feeder. When in the mood he will strike anything that goes into his cage (including my thumb). He just has "Zero" interest in food at the moment.

My vet won't tube feed again and has indicated that his "Wobble" could be one of the reasons that he goes on these hunger strikes and if his weight drops below 900g then PTS could be the most humane option.

I am looking for recommendations.