Rescued snake, dehydrated and not eating

[samiam15]

Hi all... I could really use some advice...

I took in an injured female bp about 3 months ago. She had first and some second degree burns on her belly, about 2/3rds of her body starting at her tail. I called several places and was told to treat the burns by cleaning daily, soaking (water with small amount of peroxide), polysporin and keeping everything very clean. humidity is in the 70s and temps are good. She is healing up great, and is sheading out clean. The burn looks better and better with each shed.

She is a late 09, and I am now really starting to worry about her. I have been offering her very small prey items, her usual f/t and even some tiny live rat pinkies but she simply curls up into a ball and seems terrified of the food. I keep offering week after week hoping she will come around.

She is now losing weight and generally looks dehydrated. Is there anything I should do? The burn is about 90% healed up. Should I just wait until she 100% healed up? Maybe try some pedialyte and warm water soaking? I really need some opinions here as she is getting thinner and I feel like I should be doing something. Next stop will obviously be my vet, but what do you guys think?

[majorleaguereptiles]

You only offered F/T ??

[samiam15]

Oh no...I put that I tried live rat pinkies. Tried a pup, even mice for that matter...They just scare her it seems. I left them in with her for a good amount of time. She had an awesome food response prior to being burned apparently

[BuckeyeBalls]

Oh no...I put that I tried live rat pinkies. Tried a pup, even mice for that matter...They just scare her it seems. I left them in with her for a good amount of time. She had an awesome food response prior to being burned apparently

Start looking at husbandry issues. You sure there arnt any? How are you keeping her?

Also what is her weight like? How many grams?

[samiam15]

80° - 85° F down to about 76-80° F at night. 90° - 94° F for the warm spot. I keep her in a rubbermaid...I also added a box with moist moss for her

[samiam15]

When I first got her she was still a good size. Maybe 500 grams. I would say she is down to 350-400 now but I can get an exact weight on her once I get home tonight and update you.

[RichsBallPythons]

You have way too much variations on the cool side. That 10 degree swings from day to night is enough to throw the snake off feed.

Get the temps more stable around 78-80 day and night. Keep is in smaller enclosure and mist the enclosure to keep humidity up to help with dehydration.

One the snake has a few meals should fill back out.

[BuckeyeBalls]

Your temps seem fine, is the tub to big for her??

[samiam15]

Well I have her in a pretty small tub...Second smallest from my hatchling tub... I will adjust the temps slightly, but in the meantime, do you guys think I should do something about the dehydration? Or is there anything else I can do to provoke her appetite?

[RichsBallPythons]

Needs to be left alone to eat. Just mist the cage for a week no handling no gawking. After a week in humidity should help her out a bit. Then offer food and the food will do the rest if its the beginning stages of dehydration.

You can also put pedialite in her water bowl mixed with water to help her as well.