little kinked guy!

[Prophet]

Hows the little guy doing, is he eating and shedding or did you have to put him down?

[WingedWolfPsion]

Agreed, speculum sets are sold by places like Big Apple Herp and The Bean Farm. I picked one up ages ago for administering worming meds (I have some WC garters, and a new albino I acquired a couple years ago turned up with pinworm, so lots of panacur going on, lol).

However, I have found it easier when assist-feeding the stubborn starters to just use the tip of the pinky-rat's nose to gently open the mouth. If you're force or tube-feeding the speculum would be the best choice.

[jglass38]

However, I have found it easier when assist-feeding the stubborn starters to just use the tip of the pinky-rat's nose to gently open the mouth. If you're force or tube-feeding the speculum would be the best choice.

I agree. For assist feeding, a speculum is not really necessary in my opinion. I've had to do quite a bit of assist feeding in the past and using the prey item to open the mouth works great for me.

[J.Vandegrift]

I think you are much better off assist feeding a day old rat pink than tubing him every time. If you do it right there is no way for him not to eat the pink and it would give him a much better meal than that mix. Assist feeding seems to get them to figure out eating on their own as well. I have never had to assist feed more than twice.

I agree though. Assuming he eventually eats on his own I wouldn't put him down if he can pass stool. I have seen some pretty horribly kinked snakes do fine. Ralph has a video on youtube of a few of his caramels that look really bad.

YouTube - Kinked Caramel Albinos

[Jay_Bunny]

Is he gaining weight at all with this method of feeding?

[dmaricle]

Is he gaining weight at all with this method of feeding?

i have since forced a pinkie and now he is killing on his own. so he is getting stronger every day.

[Vypyrz]

Glad to hear he's figuring it out