What do I do with this poor baby?

[c0r3yr0s3]

sorry for your loss

[zina10]

Honestly, I thought he looked truly terrible. Almost to far gone.

Especially with your description of his weakness and lethargy. They can reach a point where assist feeding (or even force feeding) doesn't work anymore.
Once a animal (or even human) reaches that point of emaciation, organ damage occurs. Oftentimes it is irreversible or even fatal.

Even the animals that DO come back from that, usually have lasting issues.

There is such a thing as "re-feeding syndrome". I'm not sure if snakes can get it, but, it may just affect them. Once the point of organ damage is reached, a feeding can actually cause the organs to shut down completely. Esp. if there was to much food and it overwhelmed the damaged system.

I say it again, this snake should have NEVER been sold. It was obviously a problem hatchling. If it barely weighed 90 gr at over 6 month old, I'd say it never ate on its own. Either way, it was emaciated. The stress of taking it to a show and then having to adjust to a new home, probably made things much worse.

Again, not your fault. The breeder, though....

I'm so sorry. What a terrible experience But please, don't let that put you off from trying again. Make sure you sanitize everything that can be sanitized and throw away the things that can't. And then get a HEALTHY well established hatchling from a good breeder. If you lived close enough to me, I'd give you one. Dedicated owners that are willing to do whatever it takes are what those animals deserve. Don't let this experience turn you off of owning one of those beautiful snakes !

[SDA]

Zina gave you amazing advice.. don't let this turn you off. I am so sorry you went through this. It's a terrible thing to lose any animal so you have my sympathy. I do hope when you get past this you can learn to take care of these wonderful animals again.

[Godzilla78]

Don’t give up, if it is truly dead, then you will eventually recover and use your new knowledge to start again with another snake.
I would suggest starting with an established subadult, or even an adult. They are much easier to keep healthy and not worry. There are plenty of mature snakes for sale from breeders.


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[larryd23]

So sorry for your loss.

[hollowlaughter]

Honestly, I thought he looked truly terrible. Almost to far gone.

Especially with your description of his weakness and lethargy. They can reach a point where assist feeding (or even force feeding) doesn't work anymore.
Once a animal (or even human) reaches that point of emaciation, organ damage occurs. Oftentimes it is irreversible or even fatal.

Even the animals that DO come back from that, usually have lasting issues.

There is such a thing as "re-feeding syndrome". I'm not sure if snakes can get it, but, it may just affect them. Once the point of organ damage is reached, a feeding can actually cause the organs to shut down completely. Esp. if there was to much food and it overwhelmed the damaged system.

I say it again, this snake should have NEVER been sold. It was obviously a problem hatchling. If it barely weighed 90 gr at over 6 month old, I'd say it never ate on its own. Either way, it was emaciated. The stress of taking it to a show and then having to adjust to a new home, probably made things much worse.

Again, not your fault. The breeder, though....

I'm so sorry. What a terrible experience But please, don't let that put you off from trying again. Make sure you sanitize everything that can be sanitized and throw away the things that can't. And then get a HEALTHY well established hatchling from a good breeder. If you lived close enough to me, I'd give you one. Dedicated owners that are willing to do whatever it takes are what those animals deserve. Don't let this experience turn you off of owning one of those beautiful snakes !

I hope OP goes through steps to demand a refund and if not given it, get in contact with whomever runs the convention this animal was bought at to bring the breeder to their attention. This wouldn't fly at my local one, at least.

This hatchling deserved better than that and its cruel to do to a new hobbyist.

[LindsayMichelle]

Honestly, I thought he looked truly terrible. Almost to far gone.

Especially with your description of his weakness and lethargy. They can reach a point where assist feeding (or even force feeding) doesn't work anymore.
Once a animal (or even human) reaches that point of emaciation, organ damage occurs. Oftentimes it is irreversible or even fatal.

Even the animals that DO come back from that, usually have lasting issues.

There is such a thing as "re-feeding syndrome". I'm not sure if snakes can get it, but, it may just affect them. Once the point of organ damage is reached, a feeding can actually cause the organs to shut down completely. Esp. if there was to much food and it overwhelmed the damaged system.

I say it again, this snake should have NEVER been sold. It was obviously a problem hatchling. If it barely weighed 90 gr at over 6 month old, I'd say it never ate on its own. Either way, it was emaciated. The stress of taking it to a show and then having to adjust to a new home, probably made things much worse.

Again, not your fault. The breeder, though....

I'm so sorry. What a terrible experience But please, don't let that put you off from trying again. Make sure you sanitize everything that can be sanitized and throw away the things that can't. And then get a HEALTHY well established hatchling from a good breeder. If you lived close enough to me, I'd give you one. Dedicated owners that are willing to do whatever it takes are what those animals deserve. Don't let this experience turn you off of owning one of those beautiful snakes !

Thank you, you're very kind. He's definitely gone, I think I was just holding on to hope. I feel silly crying over a snake, especially one I'd only had for a month and never really got to enjoy. Even though he was probably a problem feeder, I can't help but feel guilty. I know if he had been in the hands of someone with more experience, he would still be here and he wouldn't have suffered. If I'd known what to look for, you know?

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[LindsayMichelle]

I hope OP goes through steps to demand a refund and if not given it, get in contact with whomever runs the convention this animal was bought at to bring the breeder to their attention. This wouldn't fly at my local one, at least.

This hatchling deserved better than that and its cruel to do to a new hobbyist.

I'm not holding onto hope for a refund, although $200 is a lot of money for my family. I may still try, but I definitely want to say something so this doesn't happen to another snake/owner. Any suggestions on what to say to him? He made it pretty clear that I should have been intervening/way more proactive when he didn't eat the first time, so I know he believes I am at fault for this.

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[dadofsix]

It's quite possible that no one here, not even those with great experience with snakes, could have saved this little guy given the condition it was likely in when you got it.

My sincere condolences to you for your loss. Give yourself time to heal. It will happen.

And remember, this is a wonderful forum to learn from, and, it is also a place to laugh with friends at some of the zanier situations that pop up out of the blue from time to time.

<><Peace

[zina10]

I'm not holding onto hope for a refund, although $200 is a lot of money for my family. I may still try, but I definitely want to say something so this doesn't happen to another snake/owner. Any suggestions on what to say to him? He made it pretty clear that I should have been intervening/way more proactive when he didn't eat the first time, so I know he believes I am at fault for this.

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Honestly?

From what I've gathered and heard so far, I wouldn't hold my breath that you get anything other then a guilt trip from that person!!

Just what should you have done ???

You didn't even have that animal for a full 4 weeks. Everyone knows you have to give them a few days rest. So you really only had 2 weeks to work with.
And who expects having to take "drastic" and pro-active measures after one missed feeding (after the week down time) ?? So what did he think you should do ? Force feed after one refused feeding ???

You waited ONE more week and then tried a live hopper, but the snake was to weak before then. So within 2 weeks the snake was so weak and lethargic it couldn't even swallow its food. Your husbandry wasn't perfect, but far better then others have. That is not what caused that snake to decline so rapidly !!!

Besides, a 7 month old snake at barely 90 grams at time of sale ? How does he explain that ?? And he told you to feed a live pinky ?? Who feeds a 7 month old Ball Python pinkies ??

He knows he can berate you and guilt trip you, because you are "new". He wouldn't dare try those arguments here or anywhere else where people know what the deal is.

So no, I doubt you'll see a penny.

The thing you could do is to present your case on the FBI facebook page. Not "the" FBI. Long name is "FBI - Feedback and Inquiries For Reptiles". Sign up there and read the terms, rules and a few posts, and you'll see how it works.

If you do decide to present your case make sure you have everything. Breeders name, what they said, what they did, pictures. Any proof. And be prepared to back it up. You also can't delete the post or you'll be banned. Just post the bare facts. He will be called out, but he will also possibly try to turn this around on you. But he hasn't got a leg to stand on, imho.

If this is an option for you, just sign up there, read a bit, and you will get the gist of it. If nothing more, others will be warned not to deal with that person..