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Ball Python Feeding Issues -- Serious!!

RaLaser said:
This new vet is fantastic!! Took my king there to get some stitches removed from his neck (long story). Spoke with him about Sammy and he echoed very similar advice as to what you guys gave. He said to cover the sides and half the top of the tank to make it dark; don't bother putting him in a tub because he is used to his tank. Wait a few days. Then put him in a smaller 20G tank or so with a live mouse for 24 hours.

Then call him back if he doesn't eat. So, that's my game plan.

I picked up two mice at the feed store. I am seriously going to cry. They are f'n adorable. :(
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I personally am very anti live feed myself. I get in trouble all the time because of it, because I get nasty ( I mean really really nasty) if I think that someone is being cruel to an animal unneccessarily. By that I mean if they have a snake that eats thawed fine and they want to watch a kill for fun. I literally become a beast.....but in your shoes one must do what one must do, you have to save your baby....

Anyway, I feel sorry for you, and I know how hard it would be for me to do what you are doing. I am not sure if leaving a live mouse with him for that long is a good idea, because of the possibility of him being chewed on if the mouse gets hungry. If it were me, I would find a way to make sure that mouse has food and water available while it is in the cage with the snake. They have a very high metabolism and need to eat and drink often. And be prepared to have a couple of cute new pets if the snake won't eat them!
 
Look, hun, I know this is tough. It's okay.

I'm sure a live prey item, and getting the tank more covered will help.

You do not need to feel bad about this. Sammy will get be back to eating frozen thawed soon.

It's better to get him going again, than fret over feeding live just to get him over this hump.
 
I'm trying not to name the mice and instead referring to them as Food 1 and Food 2. lol. We shall seeeeeee. Will keep you all posted. Thx!
 
RaLaser said:
I'm trying not to name the mice and instead referring to them as Food 1 and Food 2. lol. We shall seeeeeee. Will keep you all posted. Thx!
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Call them lunch and dinner. :eatpointe

What you are doing is okay. I promise. You are not a monster or a bad person. Trust me.
 
Nope, not at all.
Sammy has to come first, and this is neccessary.
Get him over the hump, and he will have many years with you eating thawed like a good boy!

(((Hugs)))

It will be ok.
 
Oh man. It's still a few days until I try to feed Sammy, but I've seriously begun bonding with these two mice. I keep petting them and feeding them snacks and talking to them. I don't think I can do it. lol. Mental block.
 
I've owned nearly every type of common rodent you can think of, including pet mice. So impossible. I'm going to have to drop one in with Sammy and FLEE the room. lol.
 
RaLaser said:
I've owned nearly every type of common rodent you can think of, including pet mice. So impossible. I'm going to have to drop one in with Sammy and FLEE the room. lol.
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Don't feel too bad, those mice have it good!
They are being well taken care of until feeding day, and will have a good home if Sammy doesn't eat. It will be ok...

And if he doesn't eat I might have another idea....
 
One of the feeder mice died... before being eaten, obviously. Not sure why. It looked sort of decrepit when I got her. But, I still have a lively one left. Tomorrow is feeding day. Wish me lucckkkk.

Sammy in better days:
260066_1980193118938_1666484419_1962755_2058987_n.jpg
 
Sammy does not want to eat live, either. I took him to a breeder that owns a pet store and he said his body weight looked totally fine and not to worry about it. He said if he doesn't eat in another month to take him back and he will force feed him. =/
 
What are your temps? What do you keep your humidity at?

These things are very important for bp's, especially temps, and if you have no good reliable way to read them, that is your biggest problem.
 
Awe... I hope Sammy eats for you soon!

cmack... I believe all that has been covered in the thread. Even other suggestions have been given as to get this guy to eat.
 
Cmack, all of that has already been discussed in this thread.

There is literally nothing left to try other than force feed him -- but if his body weight is okay and he is not dehydrated and is still a very active boy, then I see no reason to go there at this point. The dude at the pet store said he had a ball go 14 months before with no problems, then the snake just started eating again voraciously.
 
Sorry, I must have missed it. Can someone point me to the post numbers? All I saw was that hrs in a 30 gallon, and he has a uth and a light. I missed the part where you say what exactly your temps are at.
 
There are temp variations from room temp to 90ish and humidity is in low tropics. Not looking at it right this second. Neither of those are the issue though. I've taken him to 4 vets and they all agree.
 
Well I wouldnt always trust a vet, especially one that says to soak your snake every day. I do know from experience with mine though that they absolutly refuse to eat if the temps arent constant, or if their too low. So if your temps are going from room temp up to 90 and then back down and up again over and over, it is a problem for your bp. Your temps need to be constant, not vary wildly.
 
Cmack, this has already been addressed. Every single bit of it.

RaLaser, I'm sorry I don't know your real name, just keep with the protocol as much as possible. Stick to the minimal contact and stress stimuli. I know being hands off is tough, but Sammy may still be in the settling out phase.

We will get through this.
 
I was really hoping to reach the end of this thread and read that sammy finally ate..Sorry to hear he is being such a little difficult boy..I don't even know what to suggest that hasn't already been suggested..And I see you have tried many many tricks..I'm sorry I can't offer any advice..all I can say is that eventually he will get hungry and want to eat..All this will pass..He seems like such a healthy snake beyond this issue..Best of luck to you :(
 
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