Force Feeding!

[iceman25]

I force fed my friends BP in order to save him! He is a month old BP who hasn't eaten once! He was bought under "no gaurantee," which the store owner tells me means that there is a fifty/fifty chance that the BP would not eat! Sure enough a month later I could barely recognize the beautiful snake I had seen before. He wouldn't take dead or live mice and he wouldn't take a mouse that had been mingling around in a tank full of gerbils for the better part of a day! I decided to force feed him cause he had lost weight, the skin was loose and back bone sticking out! I must say that the experience was not all that bad as it is made out to be. I held him behind his head gently but firmly, his body wrapped around my forearm and tail tucked in my arm pit. I took a prekilled mouse(the smallest that could be found)and gently coaxed open his mouth. When open all the way and teeth exposed, I introduced the head into the throat. When his teeth clamped down, I unwound him and wrapped him around the mouse! He took it down with no problems! This was the first time I've attempted a force feed and would never ever do it unless it was absolutely necessary! I have read about it and I've also seen it being done, and I'm glad that it went without much stress for either of us

[rex322]

wow, great job iceman, your a lifesaver! sounds like he just needed a taste. really nice job

[JLC]

That's awesome Raj!! Good for you for being willing to try something new! That's called "assisted feeding" and is a bit different from forced feeding (which is putting a mouse into a big plunger-thing and literally pumping it down his throat). Assisted feeding can potentially cause a lot of stress and should not be tried unless the situation becomes extreme. It certainly sounds like yours had and you made exactly the right choice! I'm thrilled for you and for the snake!

[JLC]

BTW....I'd be very interested in updates on this little fellow!

[First_time_herp]

I'd be very interested in updates on this little fellow!

Same here, I hope I don't get a problem feeder.

[sophie42204]

I too would like to hear how he's doing. Good Job!

[gen]

Excellent, keep us posted.

[iceman25]

It was shocking to see the condition of the poor fellow On the birght side, he had one hec of a feeding response! Its as if I threw on a massive switch with the assisted feeding(Thanks Judy for correcting me on that ). He gobbled up that mouse as if it were the last on this planet I will post pics of my guys and of him pretty soon! I kinda dropped my expensive digi on the floor and broke it So till I get it replace, no go on the pics

[JLC]

I kinda dropped my expensive digi on the floor and broke it So till I get it replace, no go on the pics

OUCH! That stinks! I dread that happening to me, too!