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Force feeding a runt

Janome

Janome

New member
So I had a clutch of 16 eggs hatch week of Aug 8-12.:dancer: All looked really good cept the little runt. He had a hard time getting out of his egg so I cut the opening a little bigger so he could come out on his own. Once he was out noticed he had a kink at the vent / tail area. His hemipenis were exposed...(they have since fallen off). :uhoh:

He's been active since he hatched considering he doesn't seem to have use of his tail, nor he doesn't seem to be able to poo on his own. I've been helping with that part too:eek1:

I tried f/t, live over night in paper bag, teased feeding for a month before I decided to try an force feed him becasue he was getting so thin. Managed to get a small rat tail in him.

Today tried a pinky head but no interest. So forced a little bit of rat tail in him again.

Has anyone had a runt like this? I want him to survive...I just wish he would eat on his own. :shrugs:
 
I say take the wee one to a vet for X-rays... if it cannot pass stool on it's own then keeping it alive would require an huge amount of attention and possible complications and it may be in the snakes best interest to be humanely euthanized. A reptile vet would probably be able to give you a better idea of whether or not the little one really can live a good life.
 
I have a little runt that won't eat, however, he is perfectly healthy other wise.
I force fed him pinky legs until I realized rat tails was easier on the both of us. I am hoping that with a little ASF scenting he'll take food this week.
Mine hatched out on June 13. I know a friend of mine that will force feed for a year before giving up. So, there is hope. Just depends on how much time/patience you have.
 
Given the information that he can't even defecate on his own, it's probably in his best interest to euthanize him. It sucks, but sometimes they don't all make it.
 
I agree that without the ability to defecate independently, you really need to be thinking about euthanasia. I suspect this is at the root of his refusal to eat. There's also no telling what other malformations he might have with his digestive system.

I know it's a heartbreaking situation, but sadly it's one of the less pleasant responsibilities of breeding.
 
:awcrap:I've thought about putting him down but he's active an my little baby. Guess I'll see how he does. As far as taking him to a vet...not in the budget to do that.
 
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