snake wont eat.. dont know the problem.. HELP PLZ

[andwhy6]

So my male BP, trouser, was my best eater until he escaped from his cage for about 4 days. that was almost 2 months ago now and he hasnt eaten since. temps, hides, and humidity are norm. i dont know what to do. Is there any kind of tricks and ive heard of force feeding but it doesnt sound pleasant.
thank you for any help

[Stewart_Reptiles]

temps, hides, and humidity are norm.

What do you call normal could you give specific details.

size of your BP, temps, humidity, enclosure type and size, type of thermometer/hygrometer, type of hides, etc?

ive heard of force feeding but it doesnt sound pleasant.

This should only be used as a last resort when everything else has failed and the animal is no longer thriving.

Have you monitor your BP's weight?

What type of prey did you use to feed before the beginning of the fast?

[andwhy6]

heres all the specs. 80-84 cool 90-94 warm, mid 50's humidity, last time weighed was 589g, i havent weighed him but i know hes lost weight, took him to vet bout 2 weeks prior to escaping and check up was clear, 41L tub set up, digital thermo, newspaper flooring, a hide but he likes to hide under newspaper anyway. feed small live rats. when i put a rat in the tank he doesnt even get into kill mode.. he used to waste no time and ate every 7-10 days.

[SarahMB]

Have you been handling him since the escape? If so, I would suggest leaving him alone for a week with minimal handling.
You might also try adding some crumpled up balls of newspaper to his tub for a couple of weeks, for added security.

[andwhy6]

thanks ill try the ball thing but i havent held him at all since he stopped eating. hes freaking me out. hes the coolest snake ive ever owned.. hella chill

[hoo-t]

I've had a couple go off feed after escapes. You might try smaller prey. If you're offering small rats, try a weanling. I'm assuming you're feeding frozen/thawed? If so, try live, but again, go with a smaller than usual rat. If you try a crawler (eyes not open yet), you can safely leave it in with the snake for an hour or so, and that might also stimulate him to eat.

Steve

[JLC]

One other thing to ask... Have you taken him to the vet since his escape? It's possible that he's picked up an RI that might need antibiotics before he'll want to eat again.


Good luck with him!

[andwhy6]

no i havent taken him to the vet. i dont really have the money to waste 80$ for a check-up cuz hes not showing any signs of RI.. other than the not eating thing but hes acting crazy like striking at his tank when i walk by and stuff ill try the pinky thing today tho.. i tried it once about a month ago but i can give it another go. thanks a lot guys

[hoo-t]

no i havent taken him to the vet. i dont really have the money to waste 80$ for a check-up cuz hes not showing any signs of RI.. other than the not eating thing but hes acting crazy like striking at his tank when i walk by and stuff ill try the pinky thing today tho.. i tried it once about a month ago but i can give it another go. thanks a lot guys

Pinky is probably too small for a 589 gram snake. I'd go with at least a fuzzy rat. I know I said try smaller than usual, but a pinky may not be big enough to get his interest.

Steve

[Stewart_Reptiles]

not eating, acting crazy like striking

Obviously something is wrong it could be your husbandry could be something else, so double check everything, make sure your temps and humidity are right etc.

hes not showing any signs of RI

Maybe none that YOU can detect or have noticed

i dont really have the money to waste 80$

Check-up do not cost 80$ also as an owner even if I understand being tight financially your responsability is to ensure the well being of your snake and trust me better be safe than sorry.

If he is healthy and the husbandry check out just give him some time to resume feeding.

Just keep monitoring is health and weight and limit your handling (only for cage maintnenance), also you might want to add some loose crumble newspaper in his tub for added security.