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matildasmum
Yearling
United Kingdom
176 Posts |
 Posted - 03/07/2013 : 00:39:49
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im looking for a wee bit of advice, the only way I can get matilda to eat is if I assist feed her, obviously this is not ideal but I had no choice as she is looking awful, any advice on how to get her feeding on her own again, ive tried all the usual methids with no results.
any advice will be much appreciated |
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Foremand
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
968 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2013 : 02:48:27
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| What methods have you tried? Saves people relisting what you have |
1.0.0 Royal python- Kaa
1.0.0 German shepherd- Riley
0.3.0 Cats- Does not matter they won't come to you
1.0.0 Red Footed Tortoise- Nemo
1.0.0 Boa- Bison
0.0.1 Brocky- Bearded dragon |
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2013 : 08:07:47
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I would say if her not eating is impacting on her health then a trip to the vet is essential to make sure there isn't an underlying medical reason for the not eating.
As she is eating though, one way or another its unlikely to be medical.
If the vet gives the all clear then it's a husbandry issue so temps/hides/enclosure size etc. |
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2013 : 11:07:16
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| Have you tried live feeding? |
\v/ Click me for Kelfezond Reptiles Facebook Page! \v/
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matildasmum
Yearling
United Kingdom
176 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2013 : 12:15:40
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I haven't tried live feeding as of yet, she is tolerating the assist feeds very well, we have brained, heated head, heated at room temp placed in the viv overnight scented, smaller prey items, you name it we have tried it,
nothing has changed in her viv temps have remained stable throughout, she has several hides that she has always had, she is still very placid and calm just will not eat unless it is placed in her mouth, once its in there she responds as she would if she had strike fed, she contricts then eats, then returns to her normal placid self,
I would rather not live feed unless I absolutely have to, plus all the petshops know I have snakes so are always unkeen at best to sell me any form of rodent unless I have a vets certificate stating that they have authorized live feeding..
Im kinda stuck..... |
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Leucistic
Yearling
United Kingdom
453 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2013 : 14:21:12
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| What weight is she currently? |
1.0.0 Mojave Royal Python - Loki
0.1.0 Lesser Fire Royal Python - Summer
0.1.0 100% het Albino Royal Python - Nancy
1.0.0 Butter Spider Royal Python - Otis
1.0.0 Albino Royal Python - Hermies
1.0.0 California King Snake - Oreo (Mr Grumpy)
1.0.0 Western Hognose - Tyrion
0.1.0 Amazon Tree Boa - Rose
0.1.0 Horned frog - India
0.0.2 Gargoyle Gecko - Willow & Amber
0.0.1 Leachianus Henkeli- Boo
0.1.0 Staffy x Bulldog - Piggy
Lots of Fish and Shrimp |
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matildasmum
Yearling
United Kingdom
176 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2013 : 17:45:58
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| she is just under 900g |
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Leucistic
Yearling
United Kingdom
453 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2013 : 18:56:19
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Females usually hit the wall at around 1000g from what I've heard.
How much weight has she lost in all? |
1.0.0 Mojave Royal Python - Loki
0.1.0 Lesser Fire Royal Python - Summer
0.1.0 100% het Albino Royal Python - Nancy
1.0.0 Butter Spider Royal Python - Otis
1.0.0 Albino Royal Python - Hermies
1.0.0 California King Snake - Oreo (Mr Grumpy)
1.0.0 Western Hognose - Tyrion
0.1.0 Amazon Tree Boa - Rose
0.1.0 Horned frog - India
0.0.2 Gargoyle Gecko - Willow & Amber
0.0.1 Leachianus Henkeli- Boo
0.1.0 Staffy x Bulldog - Piggy
Lots of Fish and Shrimp |
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hodgie
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1197 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2013 : 22:21:06
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She`s at that wieght where they will fast. I`ve just had one go 8 & 1/2 months, if you`ve never had this then the signs to look out for are very inactive, always staying in the warm end, basically its almost like a form of hibernation.
Does she feel at all skinny or does she have good muscle mass? |
Royals owned "lots"
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matildasmum
Yearling
United Kingdom
176 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2013 : 22:56:41
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| she feels very skinny, her spine is fully visable, she is very inactive, and does stay at the warm end all the time, I just really don't like to see her like this, its awful |
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2013 : 21:02:37
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Can you post a picture, the age/weight/description don't quite add up so it may be better to just see her.
Spines are always visible, there is no fat or muscle over their spine, muscle attaches either side though so leaves a groove in a chunky snake.
An easy guide is body shape
O = normal in a royal (round to loaf of bread shape but not lumpy)
^ =skinny (think Toblerone shaped)
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hodgie
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1197 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2013 : 21:13:40
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So she fasting then!
You need to leave her alone, this is completely natural for her.
Sorry but these creatures aren't stupid and need to trust her and let her be. |
Royals owned "lots"
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2013 : 21:15:22
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Just to show an example I dug Duke out of bed. Now he is a 4+ foot 2 kg Royal, put nicely he's a chunky lad.
You can quite clearly see his spine running down his back
Get them to pass over an object and the shift in muscles and pressure on the body makes the spine stand right up.
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matildasmum
Yearling
United Kingdom
176 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2013 : 11:02:18
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to hodgie I am not inexperienced about reptiles and their feeding habits, I know royals fast but she is not looking good at all and I was advised to assist feed her from a herpatologist so this is why im doing it, I would far rather assist feed her than have her die due to starvation,
I am fully aware that snakes are not stupid creatures but neither are humans |
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Baobab
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1393 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2013 : 11:56:59
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| Is it possible to post a picture showing what you mean by "looking awful". |
Royal 8.0 - Piebald (Dipstick), Calico (Flake), Pinstripe (Copper), Kingpin het Hypo (Gabriel), Soulsucker (Morgoth), Clown (Ziggy), Phantom (Spook), Enchi( Stenchi) .................Royal 0.12 - Pastel (Elanor), Spider (Willow), Normal het pied (Loki),, Pastel Sterling Orange Hypo (Misty), Normal (WC parents) (Cinders), Pewter (Tinuviel), Yellowbelly (Kaiko), Mojave (Milly), Champagne (Bubbles), Fire (Flame), Karma paradox (Smudge), Amoretti (Rita).Boa's 2.2.1- Eowyn (common), Snuggles (BCC), Bonnie (BCC), Bear (BCL) & Baileys (Kahl strain)..........Western Hognose 0.0.2 - Timmy & Henry.
Coastal*diamond carpet python 0.0.1- Pippin.........Brazilian Rainbow Boa 0.0.1 - Badger..........Granite Burmese 0.1 - Sally
Reticulated python 2.2 - Saru (purple albino), Cheesy (Sunfire albino white), Titan (Platinum Titanium) & Gala (Sunfiretiger het albino)......Rat snake 1.0 Remmy.
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hodgie
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1197 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2013 : 15:26:17
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quote:
Originally posted by matildasmum
to hodgie I am not inexperienced about reptiles and their feeding habits, I know royals fast but she is not looking good at all and I was advised to assist feed her from a herpatologist so this is why im doing it, I would far rather assist feed her than have her die due to starvation,
I am fully aware that snakes are not stupid creatures but neither are humans
I never implied that you were inexperienced or
stupid
I shall not offer any more advice. |
Royals owned "lots"
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Edited by - hodgie on 06/07/2013 15:27:34 |
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phlegmatical
Yearling
United Kingdom
403 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2013 : 16:20:56
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quote:
Originally posted by hodgie
quote:
Originally posted by matildasmum
to hodgie I am not inexperienced about reptiles and their feeding habits, I know royals fast but she is not looking good at all and I was advised to assist feed her from a herpatologist so this is why im doing it, I would far rather assist feed her than have her die due to starvation,
I am fully aware that snakes are not stupid creatures but neither are humans
I never implied that you were inexperienced or
stupid
I shall not offer any more advice.
I dont blame you for offering no more advice hodgie! That was the sort of snotty reply you see on rfuk lol |
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hodgie
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1197 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2013 : 17:25:16
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Thankyou.
Royal weighing 900g and approx 14 months old, that's pretty good going in my book. |
Royals owned "lots"
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matildasmum
Yearling
United Kingdom
176 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2013 : 21:46:28
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| I apologise for my rudeness, I took my bad temper out on you and that was wrong, its not your fault im having a bad day, I am truly sorry, I am just very worried about my baby. |
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matildasmum
Yearling
United Kingdom
176 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2013 : 22:15:59
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We have decided to stop the assist feeding and not offer her any more food for a couple of weeks to give her a chance to recover from the stress that assist feeding can cause.
I apologise to any and all members who took offence to my post, it was wrong to act in that manner, I am not as experienced as the majority of you on here, I kept 4 legged reptiles before I got matilda and was used to there brumation period. I am not as experienced as you, I only know what I have read, been told, or observed. once again sorry |
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2013 : 12:50:59
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I'm sure stopping the assist feeding will be better for her. Not eating is something Royals excel at. Just keep a record of weight so you can track any weight loss.
Iwoould also cut handling to a minimum too but that's optional. |
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assist feeding
