Assist Feeding??

[ericzerka24]

Alright so I just got a female pastel back on 4/3/2010. She was 778g when I got her and she hasn't eating since. I've tried every trick in the book and gotten a few strikes out of her but thats it. It doesn't bother me when my snakes go off feed for some time but this girl was starting to look skinny so I decided to throw her on the scale. She dropped down to 682g in less than 2 months.

I've never had to assist feed but I talked to the breeder I got her from and he said every once in a while if a snake starts to drop weight he will put a mouse/rat in their mouth just to get them going again. I decided to try this tonite with a rat pup and boy she was not a happy camper! She kept it down and seems to be doing just fine but I've never experienced a snake dropping that much weight so quickly.

What do you guys think about this? Anyone been in the same boat?

[Vypyrz]

What do you guys think about this? Anyone been in the same boat?

I haven't had to do this yet, so all I can say is good luck getting this girl back on feed. The next time she poops, maybe take it to the vet for a fecal exam to make sure she doesn't have any internal parasites...

[DJ_Bizarre]

Tried it for 2 imported hatchlings and it didn't work the first 2 times I tried it, I guess they just werent hungry because after that they struck with no problem.

[don15681]

I only assist feed hatchlings that had never taken a rodent. snakes that go off feed will eat when they are ready provided that they are healthy and your temps, humidity and ect... are correct.

[Kaorte]

I only assist feed hatchlings that had never taken a rodent. snakes that go off feed will eat when they are ready provided that they are healthy and your temps, humidity and ect... are correct.

I agree. I wouldn't assist feed a snake that has proven it can eat on its own.

A ~100g drop for a snake that size really isn't that much. Thats only ~12% of the snakes body weight, which is about 1-2 weeks worth of food.

[kc261]

If the first weight was a "full" weight then it is possible the weight loss is just due to waste elimination. Remember these snakes can eat 10% or more of their body weight in one meal, then go several meals before pooping. Plus they pee a lot at one time, and water is heavy. So that adds up to a lot of weight loss just from one big pee/poo.

If the snake continues to lose weight and/or show other signs of illness, then I'd start to worry. Until then, I'd just assume it is a feeding strike related to the stress of adjusting to her new home. Do everything you can to make sure her temps & humidity are spot on, she has adequate hides, etc., and then just wait it out. Adding stress by assist feeding her doesn't seem like a good idea.

[ericzerka24]

I agree. I wouldn't assist feed a snake that has proven it can eat on its own.

A ~100g drop for a snake that size really isn't that much. Thats only ~12% of the snakes body weight, which is about 1-2 weeks worth of food.

Well 100g in just under 2 months is a little different.

[ericzerka24]

If the first weight was a "full" weight then it is possible the weight loss is just due to waste elimination. Remember these snakes can eat 10% or more of their body weight in one meal, then go several meals before pooping. Plus they pee a lot at one time, and water is heavy. So that adds up to a lot of weight loss just from one big pee/poo.

If the snake continues to lose weight and/or show other signs of illness, then I'd start to worry. Until then, I'd just assume it is a feeding strike related to the stress of adjusting to her new home. Do everything you can to make sure her temps & humidity are spot on, she has adequate hides, etc., and then just wait it out. Adding stress by assist feeding her doesn't seem like a good idea.

The first weight was an empty weight. The guy I got her from said she was off feed at the time. I have a 1,600g female that was off feed for the last 6 months and is now back to pounding food. It could have something to do with the time of the year but when they lose that much weight so quickly I figured might as well give it a shot.

I keep most of my snakes in a snake rack. Its all hooked to a helix with belly heat in the back of the tubs. I always have full sheds and all my other snakes are very healthy.

[ericzerka24]

Tried it for 2 imported hatchlings and it didn't work the first 2 times I tried it, I guess they just werent hungry because after that they struck with no problem.

How much longer after you tried this did they eat?

The breeder I got her from said that just getting the taste of food back in there mouth can get them going again.

[Kaorte]

Well 100g in just under 2 months is a little different.

I don't really think so. I think a 100g weight loss over 2 months for an off feed snake that is nearly 800g sounds pretty normal.