Rapid weight loss, no eating. I think it's time...

[Zuma22]

I have had one of my females since mid-February and have yet to see her eat. Not all together too alarming, except for the recent rapid weight loss. She was 560g when she came to me. She's now at 440g - a drop that's happened in the last month and a half alone with no more than a few urates for waste (she was 548 in mid-April). Just took her in to the vet, who actually suggested she may be partially blind. I don't disagree, but I'm not convinced yet. While her reactions to motion can be nonexistent at times, other times she reacts like a normal ball to sudden movement. The vet thinks it's time to start assist feeding. Before I go ahead and do that with her, I'd like to see what other ideas you all might have from your experience. I only had to assist once with a little rescue girl who had no idea what eating was, so there was no question it was time to take action.

I saw another thread where the OP recommended leaving a smaller live prey item in with them and walking away. I haven't done this yet as any live prey thus far has scared the crap out of her. I'm willing to try this, though, as I've tried everything else at this point. If she does have any loss of sight, then this would help her focus more on smell and heat on her own time without me shaking a dead thing around! Thoughts? Other suggestions? Set up is standard, heat tape w/ Herpstat at 90 and temp gun reading average 88. Humidity 53%, RBI hide, paper towel substrate.

Thanks guys! I just want to get something in her

[RoseyReps]

Have you tried different prey items? Ie, mice, asf, gerbil etc? If you go with live leave in, a rat pup would be good. Crawling, eyes still mostly closed.

How does she look body wise?

[Zuma22]

I have tried multiple prey items, both live and f/t, but no asfs - can't get them in CA She doesn't look overly thin, but her weight loss is definitely noticeable and she's not the nice full-figured girl she once was. Her activity level is normal and she hasn't shown any behavioral changes. With f/t, she either ignores them or maybe shows a few seconds of interest then moves on and I can't get any interest back.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

The weight loss is not as dramatic as you think especially if the animal weight may firs have been taken after a recent meal and the second one after bowel movement.

Now please dismiss your vet´s recommendation, your BP knows how to eat and unless it is currently on death´s door, do not assist or force feed this animal.

Offering other prey type is not the best solution either unless you stick with mice and rats (feeding something expensive or that you do not have access to is not a viable solution, and do not feed hamsters or gerbils they are VERY aggressive not to mention at like crack for NO)

What I am interested in here is your husbandry and handling routine can you describe that in details because average does not mean anything to me?

Cage size? Temps on both sides? How snug the hides how? How often you handle your BP? How you go about feeding? Etc

[Rickys_Reptiles]

Yeah, I agree. @ 500 grams you shouldn't be assist feeding, she's clearly eaten many meals on her own.

As far as being blind, that shouldn't matter. I have seen snakes with no eyes that eat just fine.

Does your snake have a hide? If not, add a hide. Then give it a live rat pup overnight.

[bcr229]

I have had one of my females since mid-February and have yet to see her eat.

What was she eating for her prior owner, and what was the date she last ate for him? Also, did you buy her locally or was she shipped to you? Did you get her from a breeder, a pet shop, or private owner?

[Zuma22]

Because she's not eating, there is no handling routine. I handle her only for cleaning. I her outside in the sun once as well to get her some sun exposure, but other than that no handling. As I stated in my post, she has an Reptile Basics medium hide. She's in a 15 qt tub. Hot side is 88, cool side 77. I have tried feeding her a variety of ways, I've done the zombie dance, I've leave the rat in overnight, I've done mice and rats because that's what I have access to - and always warmed up thoroughly. Tried a gerbil once, she obviously didn't take it and I never tried again cause I didn't want her hooked on them. She's in a low traffic area, always cover her tub fully if I leave anything over night. I've been keeping snakes for a long time, and all my usual tricks aren't working for her, hence why I came to you. My vet is a very experienced reptile vet, though, whom I trust.

I agree that assist feeding is a last resort, but her weight loss is visible and she's only produced a couple urates for me since I've had her and I'm not a fan of waiting until your snake is on death's door to try certain things, but I'm willing to wait a little longer. I just don't like continuing to throw rats away :/. She was shipped to me from a breeder, although I'm not sure if he produced her. I got 4 of my snakes from him, though and all are doing well, eating like champs.