My Ball Python has a Problem

[Riokeshen]

ok one shed was bad now she wont eat her skin peels off we continue to put her and water to keep her hydrated I raised the humidity so she could if possible stay hydrated we tried every thing to get her to eat we are going to try a live mouse this time if that does not work what do I do....have her force fed? by the vet?....I scared I might lose her so please some help.....

[Riokeshen]

umm I made a typo I ment I'm not I

[dr del]

Hi,

Well it might help us if we can get a few more details.

Can you tell us what age/size/weight your snake is and how long you have had it?

When was the last time it ate and when was the bad shed?

Have you tried the damp pillowcase yet to help with the shed?

Once we have a better idea of what is going on we should hopefully be able to help you.


dr del

[scutechute]

Hi,

Dr. Del is pretty quick w the replies. I was going to say that you're probably going to have to post more details before anybody can give you any helpful information.

Also, ball pythons are pretty famous for not eating. Try doing a search on this site and see what comes up. I searched "hunger strike" and this was one of the first of many threads that came up.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=72367

good luck!

[Riokeshen]

ok her weight is well she lost weight she was 250 grams now she is 150 her age well I'm guessing a year I got her at a pet store -__- she is 2 feet long

her bad shed was about a 2 weeks ago I was maybe thinking she has internal parasites

[kc261]

If those weights are accurate then you are right this snake has a problem. BPs go on hunger strikes, but they aren't supposed to lose more than 50% of their weight.

If she lost all that weight in the 2 weeks since the bad shed, then I'd recommend rushing her to the vet. I'd guess something pretty significant is wrong if the weight was lost that quickly. A hunger strike alone would not cause a sudden drop like that.

You also need to go over your husbandry carefully. A young BP shouldn't go on a hunger strike, so often it means something isn't right in their environment.

[Riokeshen]

maybe using umm paper towels is doing it?

[Spaniard]

Definitely take that snake to the vet; thats a huge weight loss in such a short period of time. I've had snakes not eat for months on strike that didn't loose that much weight.

Edit:

Paper towels are not causing the bad shed.

Right now the stuck shed is the last of your worries. You'll want to take that snake to a vet and find out what's wrong with it. Treat the snake, correct your husbandry, and next shed should go much better. Step one is to find out why your snake lost 100g in 2 weeks.

[Riokeshen]

sorry to say we might have to put her down if it costs to much money my mom said we will get a new one but choker won't be replaced in my heart

[Muze]

She may have parasites. You do need to take her to the vet. It may not be that expensive if she just needs to be treated for parasites.

Did you weigh her the first time on empty (before eating & after pooping)? Did you use the same scale both times?

It does sound like your humidity is not correct. What are you using to measure humidity/temperature?