Maybe off feed, but is too skinny to suport that

[padiente]

I am afraid that Kitty has gone off feed. I tried to feed him today and it has been a little over two weeks since he last ate. There were 2 weeks between last feeding and the one before and 3 between that one and the one before that (refuse, then wait a week, then shed, then feed) He is not at all as girthy as he should be because the whole time I haev had him he was not a big eater. Him going off feed is not a good thing. The vet and I have been trying to get him to eat more so we could build him up to size. Should I try again tonight, or when? This is very worring.

[hhw]

As long as you're certain it's not stress, parasites, or some other cause, I would just starve her for a few weeks. Then, if she's still a reluctant feeder, try feeding live a few times and see if she'll eat them more readily. If so, carefully observe how she hunts them so you can replicate the situation as closely as possible with the way you move around the f/t prey.

[padiente]

Hmm, I just hate to do that becuase he is already so skinny. Oh well. So you are saying I shouldn't try again tonight?

[hhw]

If he is skinny enough that you're worried about his health, I would just feed him live right away. You should also avoid offering him food too often. Since you offered him food yesterday already, I'd wait a few days...

[padiente]

Actually I offered earlier today, but I think I see your point. I will wait till torrow evening, that should be fine right?

[Schlyne]

No, I'd say wait until tuesday at least, possibly thrusday. He won't be stressed about eating then.

[gen]

No! Don't try to feed him again tonight. Generally, the reccomendation is to wait a week between attempted feedings. If you make repeated feeding attempts, you can further stress out your snake and cause him not to eat, making the problem even worse.

[padiente]

So not today or tuesday then? Should I leave him in a closed box with the rat? How long should I leave him if so? I am all bent out of shape, a few days ago when I busted the rats gut he seemed very interested in eating, but I was worried about it being a little cooked so I didn't let him have it. It was thawing under the lamp ubove his cage, so I am pretty sure he smelled it, he searched as if he did. Was this wrong? Ahh, I am so frusterated

[gen]

Well, it's really up to you. If it was me, I would wait at least until Thursday (giving 5 days) if not wait until Saturday to give it a whole week. I know it's frustrating, but giving your bp some extra time to calm down and get hungry might to the trick.

As far as feeding in another box, where does he usually eat? What have you had success with when he did eat? If he ate in his cage the last times he ate, I'd stick with that. If he's used to a separete enclosure, then do that.

If your snake seemed to respond to the smell of rat guts, you could try braining a rat. It would be pretty gross for you, but could trigger his feeding response.

[padiente]

Him, so I could just let another rats bust a gut then feed him? That sounds promising. I usually feed him in a seperate enclosure, but feeding before last I had to put him in a small shoes box with said rat before he ate it.