time to go to the vets?

[ispitroseas]

My leucistic 2014 girl hasn't ate since february! I haven't tried live with her, but I'm wondering is it time to go to the vet? She is slimmer than she should be...

[KitaCat]

If you haven't tried live, you probably haven't explored enough options to give up and head to the vet, which would only add to her stress and make her less likely to eat.

What methods have you tried?
What is her weight?
Did she take meals reliably before Feb?

[BCS]

If you haven't tried live, then there really is no reason yet to bring her to the vet. The vet will make you pay $100 for these simple words "try live".

I know live feeding is not something everyone wants to do, but sometimes it has to be done. I once sold a snake along time ago because I could not bring myself to do it. Now most of my snakes are fed live as I find it easier. But this is your choice. You can bring her to the vet if you feel the need to but I would try live first.

[blk02ssmonte]

I would try live first.

[ispitroseas]

If you haven't tried live, you probably haven't explored enough options to give up and head to the vet, which would only add to her stress and make her less likely to eat.

What methods have you tried?
What is her weight?
Did she take meals reliably before Feb?

I got her in february, from a breeder, so I'm sure she did.
My scale's been broke for a few months, but I'm picking one up this weekend. I just see her spine a lot more than my other balls
The methods I've tried are braining so far. I was thinking of scenting with tuna juice, I hear that works.

And as for live, if she doesn't take it, should I wait and feed her first so another ball will take it down?

[ispitroseas]

If you haven't tried live, then there really is no reason yet to bring her to the vet. The vet will make you pay $100 for these simple words "try live".

I know live feeding is not something everyone wants to do, but sometimes it has to be done. I once sold a snake along time ago because I could not bring myself to do it. Now most of my snakes are fed live as I find it easier. But this is your choice. You can bring her to the vet if you feel the need to but I would try live first.

My vet does $40 exams, so it wouldn't be too bad, but I will try live first. Should I get something smaller than her normal prey size to get her adjusted?
And if I do live, will she be addicted to live and it be hard to switch back to f/t?

[KitaCat]

I got her in february, from a breeder, so I'm sure she did.
My scale's been broke for a few months, but I'm picking one up this weekend. I just see her spine a lot more than my other balls
The methods I've tried are braining so far. I was thinking of scenting with tuna juice, I hear that works.

And as for live, if she doesn't take it, should I wait and feed her first so another ball will take it down?

Ah okay, so she's never eaten in your care?
This may sound silly since you've tried braining already (which is way more drastic haha), but have you tried leaving the f/t rat overnight? I have a lot of snakes that will only eat that way.

Also, have you tried...
Offering a smaller prey size?
Offering a different colored rat?
Offering mice?

If you've crossed all that off the list, I'd try live. And yeah, I'd feed her first so you don't waste the rat if she doesn't go for it.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

If not done already get a 12 quarts tub max, put 1 to 2 inches of aspen for substrate, use 2 small plastic bowls for hide or (2) 6 inched flower pot saucers (depends on the size of the animal).

Provide temps of 76/78 and 86/88.

Wait a week (NO HANDLING), offer a live mouse (size equal your BP's girth sise) in the BP's enclosure.

No handling before the animal eats 3 consecutive times.

Once the animal eats you can attempt to switch to F/T

Having your animal feed for you is your priority, F/T is not.

Going to a vet will accomplish nothing but be a waste of money if you have not try everything else first.

[DVirginiana]

Like someone already said, some snakes will only eat when left alone with the prey overnight. Some respond better if you move the prey around to mimic a live rodent (I've noticed my colubrids are way more responsive to this than my BP, but it wouldn't hurt to try it). Also you can try blasting it with a hairdryer just before feeding.

I'd try live before going to the vet. If you've got other snakes, yes, offer it to her first. That way if she doesn't take it another will and you're not stuck with a pet rat.

[ispitroseas]

Since you are a new owner and your new snake never ate for you my guess is that the issue is husbandry/stress related.

Get a 12 quarts tub, put 1 to 2 inches of aspen for substrate, use 2 small plastic bowls for hide or (2) 6 inched flower pot saucers (depends on the size of the animal).

Provide temps of 76/78 and 86/88.

Wait a week (NO HANDLING), offer a live mouse (size equal your BP's girth sise) in the BP's enclosure.

No handling before the animal eats 3 consecutive times.

Once the animal eats you can attempt to switch to F/T

Having your animal fed in for you is your priority not F/T.

Going to a vet will accomplish nothing but be a waste of money.

I follow these rules except the going to live. The husbandry is that of the rest of my balls. They're on a rack and I make sure they are all good with their humdity and temps.