Eating Disorder?

Eating Disorder?

Postby Bienkie » Tue Jul 09, 2013 3:30 pm

My girl had a very good apatite. One day she just decided she does not want to eat anymore. After shedding even she will sometimes turn her head away from the food. I heard that poking the (dead) mice’s noses so it bleeds a little that will help for the food to be more attractive.

In my area there were no mice available so I gave her a small rat. She started eating it (her 1st piece of food in weeks) but then I made the mistake to try and take her water bowl so I can refresh her water and she spat out the rat and after that (that was like 4 weeks ago) she has not even shown interest in food at all. I heard that it can be that she is in hibernation that she does not eat so much anymore but 4 weeks is a long time and believe you me I wiggle that dead mouse around as if it was doing the Macarena! Can anyone please help as to what the problem can be? I am at the point of total cluelessness.
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Re: Eating Disorder?

Postby Lillypod » Tue Jul 09, 2013 4:36 pm

I have had that problem too some of my snakes have not eaten in months and today they ate, so be patient, it can be due to winter, if she is not losing condition I would not worry much. There are still many ways you can get her to eat. Where are you from? How big is she?
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Re: Eating Disorder?

Postby Bienkie » Tue Jul 09, 2013 4:51 pm

Thank you so much for the reply! I am from Somerset West and i messured her the other day she is just over 1.m. By "losing condition" is that when she gets thin? Sorry for all the questions but I really want my girl to be happy. I baught her a new tank (huge one) but all she seem to try and do these days are escape. So is this because she wants to go hunt herself maybe? I threw away so many mice this past month with her not eating.
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Re: Eating Disorder?

Postby Lillypod » Tue Jul 09, 2013 5:53 pm

There might be your problem, a smaller enclosure might be better for snakes as some do go off feeding when they are in a big enclosure, because they feel insecure (which might explain why she is trying to escape).
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1-1-2 Bearded Dragon
0-1 Brown House Snake
2-3 Ball Python
1-1 Western Hognose
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3-2 Corn Snake
0-0-1 Bosc Monitor
0-1 Taiwanese rat snake
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Re: Eating Disorder?

Postby Bushviper » Tue Jul 09, 2013 6:53 pm

If she is unhappy in the cage you have it could be that it is too cold for her. What are the temperatures on the hot side of the cage?
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Re: Eating Disorder?

Postby Bienkie » Wed Jul 10, 2013 11:34 am

Thank you for the advice Lillypod!

Bushviper - i dont have a thermometer in her tank but its not to hot and not cold i alwys keep it nice and warm.

The old tank was a bit small for her think it might have been 45cmx20 and the one i have her in now is 1.2m x 75cm round about - could the tank change be a problem? I do let her 'play" outside in summer but in winter its to cold and wet and i do take her out of the tank alot so is it she maybe feeling like she wants to get out a bit again or am i just beeing silly now :oops:

Sorry if i am but i would rather give you the full background than leaving things out and not getting to the bottom of the problem. :)

Thank you for all the help!
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Re: Eating Disorder?

Postby Ryan5151 » Wed Jul 10, 2013 1:47 pm

Try just placiing the rat inside the cage and leave the snake alone, Also i would recomend getting a thermometer. Does the snkae have a hide?
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Re: Eating Disorder?

Postby Bienkie » Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:12 pm

Thank you for your reply! Yes she has - i tried leaving the rat inside even then she doesnt want to eat it.
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Re: Eating Disorder?

Postby kfc223 » Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:14 pm

Well get a digital thermometer so you can tell us what the temps are.
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Re: Eating Disorder?

Postby LizardLover » Wed Jul 10, 2013 3:56 pm

What do you use to heat-up the cage?
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Re: Eating Disorder?

Postby Bienkie » Wed Jul 10, 2013 4:23 pm

Hi! I use a heatpad.
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Re: Eating Disorder?

Postby LizardLover » Wed Jul 10, 2013 4:36 pm

Is it inside or under the cage and what wattage is it?
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Re: Eating Disorder?

Postby Bienkie » Mon Aug 19, 2013 2:27 pm

Thanks so much for everyone's advice!!!! She finally ate and I have never been happier!
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