Stressed Ball Python, not eating advice

[gahighto]

I have a 2 1/2 year old bp about 40" weighing 1100g. Has always been a good eater and typically spends about 90-95% of his time in one of his hide cave/boxes. He has not eaten for about 3 months, which I know can be somewhat typical of bps to go on hunger strikes but the longest he has gone previously is about 4 weeks. Also, when he was not eating previously he would alway go up to the food item offered before backing away now he is showing absolutely no interest and does not seem to even acknowledge a rat in the cage. He is and always has been fed live (under constant supervision with prey being pulled as soon as it is evident he is not eating), currently he has been eating small to medium rats. That being said the lack of eating is not my main concern. During these 3 months he spends probably 60% of his time actively trying to get out of his enclosure and rarely if ever goes into his hides. At times I have caught him just staring but he has his body at an angle not typical stargazing behavior. He shows no neurologic symptoms, can right himself without issue and can come up over his own body without problem. He had a bowel movement about 3 weeks ago and a good shed about a month ago. I'm trying to get any ideas as to what may be causing his stress. Other than routine cleaning his enclosure has not changed and his body condition still seems decent although there may be some muscle wasting starting. I am considering having him tested for IBD(I work at a vet) but I really don't feel that is his issue. I have him on newspaper, with 2 hide caves, large water bowl, climbing stick. Heat source is infrared heat lamp which keeps warm side 85-90 and cool side 75-80. Humidity level between 60-70% using wet towel on cage top. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Sauzo]

Why do you think its IBD? IBD in a python is guaranteed death. They succumb to it much faster than boas and cant be carriers like boas can. I've heard stories of people using normal BPs as tester for boas before putting them into collections. Put eh BP with the boa for a few hours and then watch the python, if it died, then you knew the boa was a carrier. Now whether this was true or not, I don't know as I never used the method but I have heard people doing it. Anyways, my BP is also being active the past month and not interested in food. Everything about her husbandry is still the same and absolutely nothing has changed. She looks fine and is still her fat self so I chalk it up as breeding activity. Have you tried different food items? Like a rat or mouse. As long as your BP isn't losing weight or acting/looking ill, I probably would just offer him a rodent every 2 weeks to a month and go from there.

[gahighto]

Thanks for the reply, I don't necessarily think it's ibd but since I work at a vet, I have the ability to test for free. Really the only reason i have even considered it is the change in behavior and the fact that I have caught him just starting several times with head elevated. That is something I have never seen from him. Another reason which I forgot to mention I'd that I handled a red tail that was covered in mites at work a couple of months ago and I know that mites can carry ibd. Granted I did not handle my BP for a couple days after that. Have only offered rats so far will try a mouse. Thanks

[Sauzo]

Well as far I know, the only way to test for IBD is a biopsy. I might be wrong and since you are a vet tech, you would know better but honestly unless the snake was corkscrewing or cant right itself up or shows signs of IBD, I probably wouldn't subject it to anything stressful as that could cause more problems.

[gahighto]

Yeah they apparently have a blood smear test for it now, I didn't know this until I spoke with our lab today.

[Faydraferrell]

Did your baby ever calm down? My female is doing this EXACT same thing and its driving me mad.

[Jordan H]

BP will go off food, it's inevitable especially this time of year. If you get that concerned try a small mouse. That's what I usually use to get them back but I wait a while to try because I don't want them taking to mice only