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Dracowoman2

A few of you will know by now that my het pied male hasn't eaten for the last few weeks, as of Monday we are now at 6 weeks. He was feeding weekly with no problems at all. I've tried him with Monster Mice, Rat Weaners, and this week Rat pups in case he was being sizeist Laughing

The last couple of weeks he has had his dinner left in with him over night, he is now in his hide, and we haven't seen him much and obviously all I am doing is basic cleaning and water changes so as not to disturb him.

I am now open to any other suggestions that might get his feeding response going again. He came out on Monday and showed interest in food, but wouldn't take it. I did however notice that he looked ghostly, so he may be going through a shed which I am keeping an eye on. Obviously I want to get him going again before it becomes necessary to start assist feeding. We are considering feeding him some small and live, but obviously aren't in any hurry to adopt this in case it puts him off more or he gets used to the idea Laughing

I've heard about the oxo trick, but some additional info on that would be appreciated.

Claire
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"Life without animals isn't life, they give much and take little"

Claire

DrAdam · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:43 pm Post subject:

I dont think 6 weeks is a great deal of time for him not to eat. I wouldn't be thinking of offering live or assist feeding yet. They regularly go off food every now and again. It could be just because its winter. As long as he isnt loosing vast amounts of weight I would play the waiting game Smile

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Dracowoman2 · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:49 pm Post subject:

Thanks DrAdam, that was my thought as well, I'd certainly prefer to get him going and just keeop offering him weekly until he decides to eat on his own, and I haven't reach panic stations yet thankfully Laughing

What would you say would be the time to start worrying more. I'm not sure of his weight at the moment as I'm trying not to stress him out more, but he looks fine and seems quite happy tucked away in his hide.

Incidentally I also have 4 young females that have gone without the last 2 weeks, and nothing has changed environmentally etc. I have 15 youngsters all onthe same rack int he same room, and monitor their temps closely, and all are eating apart from these 5, but Piper is my most concerning little guy, and he's a real sweetie too Very Happy

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www.draco2.co.uk

"Life without animals isn't life, they give much and take little"

Claire

DrAdam · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:00 pm Post subject:

The time when you get worried depends on you i guess. I have a couple that havent eaten since dec, but they arent loosing weight and the setup is ok so I'll just leave them to it until something changes. ie their weight.

I know someone who had an albino go about 8 months without eating... Shocked

I'd just keep offering every week. for the time being. I would bet that its simply because its winter..
Try just to relax and dont start pulling your hair out!
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My website isn't quite there yet, as I got bored half way through writing it.

Never take life too seriously, no-one gets out alive anyway

Dracowoman2 · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:08 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that, obviously my primary concern is his welfare not my stress levels, and he could still make breeding weight for next season if he decided to start eating, but obviouly again that isn't a major concern as his Mrs might not be anyway Laughing

I'll just keep him warm and quiet and keep a close eye on his weight Very Happy

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www.draco2.co.uk

"Life without animals isn't life, they give much and take little"

Claire

DrAdam · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:10 pm Post subject:

Thats it

It might be worth just weighing him now and then you have a benchmark if he still hasnt picked up in a month, say
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My website isn't quite there yet, as I got bored half way through writing it.

Never take life too seriously, no-one gets out alive anyway

Dracowoman2 · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject:

Thanks Again, I need to check on him again later on anyway, so I'll get the scales out and make sure of his weight. I have his last recorded weight and the date in Python Keeper so I'll be able to compare Wink

Thanks for the advice Very Happy

And the reassurance, I thought it was too early to panic, but it's always nice to hear it from someone else Smile

_________________
www.draco2.co.uk

"Life without animals isn't life, they give much and take little"

Claire

Dracowoman2 · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:38 pm Post subject:

I've just checked his weight and on the 14th January he was 260g so I weighed him and he's 261g, so he hasn't lost any weight, and gained 1g Laughing

So I'll hold off on the panicking for a while I think Very Happy

_________________
www.draco2.co.uk

"Life without animals isn't life, they give much and take little"

Claire

paplan · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:47 pm Post subject:

I shouldn't worry about it too much, we have 3 females that haven't fed since the beginning of October, as soon as the nights started to draw in they stopped feeding. They have lost a little weight but not enough to worry about. One of males is a sporadic feeder he sometimes goes 2 months without feeding, again he hasn't lost a huge amount of weight. As long as they have access to clean water they will be okay.
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Steve

Scott W · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:03 pm Post subject:

hi Claire,
i'm afraid that's the fun of ball pythons...even the best feeders like a rest now and again Laughing

just so long as he's not looking like he's lost much weight or any other ill health signs I wouldn't worry too much.
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