| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 27/07/2012 : 12:18:20
OK, so our little CRB is still refusing feeds - 3 so far all of which have been left in her RUB overnight :( The 1st one we weren't surprised - she had mites when we got her home so we bathed her every couple of days rather than the usual leaving to settle in for a week. The 2nd one I was also not surprised as I was fairly sure she was getting ready to shed. The third time however was following a successful shed and also being left alone for ages (we haven't handled since the 1st week except for getting out for feeds)... I tried braining a mouse pink and also a fuzzy just in case she wanted something bigger lol! Left them in her warm hide overnight and still nothing. We got some rat pinks in when we got her, but they are seriously huge in comparison to her (20g) so not tried them.
I know from the corn snake forum we still have different options - I got a chick so we could try her on a chick thigh - are they as irresistible to CRB's as they are supposed to be to corns lol?! Next thing we are going to try is putting her in a tiny container with the food overnight.
I was talking to the lady in our local pet shop yesterday who says she assist feeds their royals at the moment and hubby could go and watch how to do this one Sunday if he likes. Hubby is getting really worried that Prism is going to die, but I think it's too early to go down the assist feed route yet, but I want to know how long we can wait before possibly having to consider it. Can she go a couple of months at this age or would we need to possibly consider it sooner?
She was born 9/6/12 and apparently fed 21/6, 28/6 and 4/7. |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 18/09/2012 : 07:15:55
He he he, surprised you missed this thread 
http://www.therainbowboa.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1916
Thanks for asking  |
| Spugy |
Posted - 18/09/2012 : 03:05:02
Am I allowed to ask an update? I get all panicked when my babies don't eat! |
| Snakesitter |
Posted - 31/08/2012 : 21:46:52
I would get the name of the vet now and call to introduce yourself ("hi, just wanted to let you know I may be bringing in my snake due to XYZ"), just so you're all set if you do need to go in. Better safe than sorry, though hopefully an actual visit will not be needed. |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 30/08/2012 : 11:21:55
Thanks for the encouragement guys :)
I am definitely not giving upon her yet lol, it was just the total excitement of her taking it followed by the gutting disappointment when she didn't eat it, arrrgh!!Have contacted the shop and he said he'd try to get hold of someone with a mouse pink and a fuzzy this time, but I'm sure she's going to shed soon (not quite got used to the signs yet, but I got it right before and I just have the feeling if that makes sense?!) so going to wait a bit longer then let him know when we're ready.
When we very first got a snake I asked our vet we've used for years if they had any rep specialists there and he said no, but he knew of some further afield if necessary so I could ask them if it got to tube feeding I suppose?
Oh and we just had the tub with her in it, with a bit of paper with the birth date and the 3 apparent feed dates on it.
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| Snakesitter |
Posted - 29/08/2012 : 20:54:33
Don't give up, Bunny! The fact Prism dragged the food into her hide tells me two important lessons, both positives:
A) She is still hungry, and
B) She still has energy.
Neither shows a snake about to pass.
I would second the idea of finding a local herp society. Ask your local reptile shop and check on-line, too.
You may also be able to find someone to tube-feed her as a *temporary* measure, which is when they insert a very thin flexible tube down the snake's throat to get a little processed food (usually dog food) and water into their system, along with any relevant meds and/or supplements. (It sounds much worse than it is. Make sure the person is highly experienced, though -- I tried this once and messed it up.)
I don't recall, did the seller give you any feeding records, or tell you if she had ever seen a vet? |
| Blackcat |
Posted - 29/08/2012 : 10:02:50
At least she showed interest in the live rat pink - a positive sign she is hungry.
I agree with Incurable regards the possible intimidation by the size of the rat pink (even though it was a tiny one) but you had no choice if that was all the reptile shop could source for you.
I think asking the reptile shop to try to get her to feed for you is an option.
The other thought I had is: Do you have any reptile clubs/societies any where remotely close to you that might have members who could offer assistance in getting her to feed.
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| IncurableFlirt |
Posted - 29/08/2012 : 05:28:18
I am so sorry that you are having such a difficult time with Prism. It sounds like she is hungry (she took hold of the pink, at least), but maybe she just isn't quite ready for it yet. I do think you might have better luck with a fuzzy mouse (live)...as they are a little smaller and maybe not as intimidating to her. I've exhausted my brain with ideas on how to help. :( Maybe the reptile shop would be willing to help you get her feeding? Could they possibly provide you with some used lizard litter that you could scent the pinks/fuzzies with? I wish there was more I could do! It's so sad that you ended up with a difficult feeder, because they really are wonderful snakes when they are behaving right. ;) |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 28/08/2012 : 22:32:42
Just another rubbish update :(
Went along to the shop Sat afternoon and guy had only managed to get in a couple of teeny tiny rat pups (pinks). Tried her that evening and hubby said although she didn't strike/coil etc she did take hold of it and pulled it into her warm hide.
I was overjoyed at this as I thought this meant success as at least she wasn't just ignoring it/trying to get away like normal. No luck though, she didn't even hurt it and it was still wriggling and squeaking the next morning 
Hubby at this point was so demoralised he started talking about putting Prism out of her misery rather than let her starve (dont worry, not going to happen unless she really goes downhill  ). I still think she needs to shed, so will wait until she has done, then will source a pink and a fuzzy for her (mice this time obviously) and keep fingers crossed.
One suggestion I came up with was that if she still doesn't eat we could offer her free to the reptile shop? They probably wouldn't want her, but they may be happy to just try her for a bit, knowing if they can get her feeding they could then sell her later, and they may manage where we haven't? I don't know, just a thought, I'd rather that than her die of starvation... |
| Blackcat |
Posted - 25/08/2012 : 15:57:55
quote:
Originally posted by Snakesitter
Bunny, you might want to get both a live pink and a live fuzzy. Part of the atraction of live food to a snake is the movement, and fuzzies are more "active" than pinks. It can't hurt at any rate. Good luck!
Hadn't thought of that side of things - noted for further reference just incase I ever experience a non feeder. |
| Snakesitter |
Posted - 24/08/2012 : 20:56:30
Bunny, you might want to get both a live pink and a live fuzzy. Part of the attraction of live food to a snake is the movement, and fuzzies are more "active" than pinks. It can't hurt at any rate. Good luck! |
| Blackcat |
Posted - 23/08/2012 : 13:06:57
Hopefully she will eat it 
If you know which table at the show she came from or can describe the area and tables adjacent to the organisers of the show they may be able to help you on who had booked the table.
You could also try 'asking' on RFUK if any one knows who was selling baby CRB's at the show - you don't have to go into details as why you want to know - a long shot but may be worth a try.
Keep us posted or email me if you want me to post on RFUK. will put my email address in my profile. |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 23/08/2012 : 12:45:12
No I don't - we got her at the show in Norfolk - what a mistake that was! Never going to risk buying from a show again unless it was actually someone I 'know' from the forums :(
Thanks that's what I thouhgt - will get a pinkie.
God I hope she eats it - if not we've not only got the worry of her, but also the worry of having to dispatch a poor pink which I will feel doubly bad about!! |
| Blackcat |
Posted - 23/08/2012 : 11:30:42
Hi smart bunny - my two both weighed 20g when I got them and was told they were on pinkies (I assumed mice, but didn't ask, silly me)
Thus both mine got mice pinks for their first few feeds, I ran out of pinks so gave them a fuzzie mouse and now have them on rat pinkies.
I would probably go for a mouse pinkie - can always go bigger once feeding.
I can understand your worry - I remember how stressed I got when Morse dropped from 7g to 5g from his regurge problem.
If she is going into shed again she may not eat - both my CRB's are very reluctant to eat when going into shed, infact I hadn't realised Tobago was due to shed when I last fed him - he was having non of the rat pink no interest what so ever.
Me being me decided to annoy him with the rat pink and kept nudging him with the nose and backing off - in the end he struck at it and ate it, I'm sure out of sheer 'leave me alone'.
I hope Prism takes the live pinkie.
Have you got contact details for the person who you bought her off - I'm assuming if you have you have been in touch with them to let them know she is not eating - just a thought. |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 23/08/2012 : 10:19:45
Lol
Well, still no luck, and for the first time when we got her out yesterday she started to look a bit thin and not as strong as previously so we're starting to get really worried now (although she did cling on tightly when hubby when went to put her away lol) :( She looks slightly pinkish so I'm not sure if she's going into shed again - but as she hasn't eaten I wouldn't have thought so?!
Tried her on rat pink and mouse pink yesterday defrosted naturally rather than in water as we usually do (put both in with her to give her a choice lol).
We have however found a place to get live food, so the next attempt will be live. We're really getting to the point now where we think if that doesn't work we're going to lose her :( Hubby getting especially down as she is 'his' 1st snake as opposed to our others which are more supposedly my son's and mine.
Weight when we got her was 20g, yesterday 19g.
I'm just a little unsure which live size to ask for lol (we've tried various different sizes) I think I'd go for a large mouse pink, but would a small fuzzy be better? Blackcat, what size were your CRB's on when u got them? |
| Snakesitter |
Posted - 22/08/2012 : 21:44:21
Hmm, I've never heard of Brazilians going for lizard- or frog- scented prey, but I'm sure they must eat those in the wild. Good thing I'm not a snake..I'd be holding out for the pizza-scented prey.... |
