Skinny baby..

[Albert Clark]

I've been in a similar situation. My nine week old ball python's health was threatened by his lack of protein. He wouldn't eat anything for three weeks and weighed as much as a hatchling.. I went to my amazing vet and she recommended that I assist feed f/t until he ate on his own. If I hadn't done that, my snake might not have made it.

If you're sure it's not your husbandry or a health problem, then I would recommend assist feeding before she becomes too underweight.

To you people who say to never assist feed, I assist fed my snake twice and now he is eating on his own.. like a pig 😂

That's great that your ball python eventually responded to assist feedings. However no one here says never assist feed. Most of us agree that it's a last resort for a animal that is built to feed himself as long as the proper enviornment is provided and the animal isn't ill or injured. Actually a tube feeding is more appropriate for a animal that is confirmed non feeding over a extended period of time and has or is showing signs of dehydration and poor nutritional status. That is bc in a starving type of presentation, fluids should always precede solid foods. Even diluted pedialite solution as a option for drinking and soaking should precede assist feeding.

[Wkhinson]

I also agree with assist feeding as a last resort..but I've just never had a ball python look this way when i received it.. I'm not sure when 'last resort' should be since I've only had her a week.. I have no idea how long she has looked like this before I got her and my three other snakes are thriving in their environment. Which is the same setup as her's, only larger. I'm very torn. I want to at least give it another week but If she dies in the mean time i know I'll beat my self up over it for waiting. Id love to bring her to a vet but she is obviously stressed out from her journey here , i still can't decide of that is the best option

[Joci]

I also agree with assist feeding as a last resort..but I've just never had a ball python look this way when i received it.. I'm not sure when 'last resort' should be since I've only had her a week.. I have no idea how long she has looked like this before I got her and my three other snakes are thriving in their environment. Which is the same setup as her's, only larger. I'm very torn. I want to at least give it another week but If she dies in the mean time i know I'll beat my self up over it for waiting. Id love to bring her to a vet but she is obviously stressed out from her journey here , i still can't decide of that is the best option

Well if you are afraid that she will die, then bringing her to the vet would probably be the best idea. It can't hurt, even if it does stress her out a little. The first priority is for her to survive.

[PythonBabes]

Well if you are afraid that she will die, then bringing her to the vet would probably be the best idea. It can't hurt, even if it does stress her out a little. The first priority is for her to survive.

And also contacting whoever you got her from. They should have NEVER sold you a snake in that condition.

I'm sorry you have to go through this!!

[Wkhinson]

Thank you guys for all of your help. I brought her to a local ball python breeder who has 20+ years experience and he is going to keep her until she is rehydrated and eating. He seemed hopeful that she was going to pull through

[Joci]

That's great that your ball python eventually responded to assist feedings. However no one here says never assist feed. Most of us agree that it's a last resort for a animal that is built to feed himself as long as the proper enviornment is provided and the animal isn't ill or injured. Actually a tube feeding is more appropriate for a animal that is confirmed non feeding over a extended period of time and has or is showing signs of dehydration and poor nutritional status. That is bc in a starving type of presentation, fluids should always precede solid foods. Even diluted pedialite solution as a option for drinking and soaking should precede assist feeding.

I see what you're saying, and I agree that if the snake is dehydrated, then fluids should come first and tube feeding is sometimes more appropriate. I'm just trying to avoid having anyone wait too long before considering that last resort of assist feeding