Quote Originally Posted by Stewart_Reptiles View Post
Feeding issues are were most likely husbandry related based on your statement (baby in 40 gallons tank) which is typical with new owners. It became a vicious circle and was not addressed soon enough (should have been addressed withing the first 2 to 4 weeks)

An adult can not a baby and no if their husbandry are met, babies and juvies are eating machine.

Vet likely overreacted because most vets do not understand those animals and what triggers them and think the magic solution for everything is antibiotic and force feeding rather than promoting normal feeding behaviour by making necessary husbandry changes.

that reinforces my belief that your vet is not experienced with BP (this alone is enough to kill an animal that has been weaken because of being of feed for too long). Your vet does not understand the toll a snake digestion process takes not to mention the stress associated with force feeding let alone every other day.

I am still not getting where the septicemia comes in what were the symptoms?

Do you have a thermostat in your enclosure? Is your substrate damp?
Idk what caused feeding issues. The tank set up was perfect according to the 2 vets that both have extensive experience with ball pythons. One even breeds. We tried every trick in the book to feed him & nothing worked. You say they are eating machines but I have read & was told by the vets that juveniles are notorious fir being difficult & often are seen for starvation issues.

I apologize if if I wasn’t descriptive enough on why we brought him into the vet in the 1st place. One day he was looking & acting fine (except for the not eating) & the next he looked dehydrated and had red rings on his side. His tail that usually grips onto our hands wasn’t gripping anymore. He was definitely very ill. All of his symptoms suggested septicemia.

We have 2 thermometers & substrate is kept at clean & tank is kept at proper humidity levels. One side is warm the other side is warmer. Large water dish with clean water. Large hide, 2 smaller hides.

We we discussed at length with our vets all issues. Even showing photos of the tank. These vets are knowledgeable & thoughtful about what we are doing. It may sound extreme but we are trying to save his life. Without these treatments, he definitely won’t survive. With these treatments, he may have a chance.