Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi everyone,

i have a small collection of royals, which all stopped feeding over the winter. All but 1 have restarted in the last couple of months, she does come out and examine the food items but never eats. she is now starting to lose weight and was wondering at what point to try force feeding - this is something i have never had to do before. I did move her from a red bulb enclosure to a ceramic bulb enclosure during her spell of not feeding but all the others have adjusted to the same enclosures.

any advice would be gratfully appreciated.

Kenny

What does she weigh? I would never force feed an animal that has been eating before winter. If she ate before for you she will eat again. Just be patient. If you are really worried you could always check for parasites.
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John Vandegrift

hi, thanks for getting back to me. when you say "check for parasites" do you mean take her to the vet or is there a test i can peform at home? she did weight about 1.8kg but i have not checked recently - but you can now see her shape on her back and sides but not quite her ribs yet.

many thanks,

kenny

You would have to take a fecal sample to the vet. If you can't get a fecal you could always just bring her to the vet and tell the vet you want to get her dewormed. Might be worth a try and shouldn't cost more than $50.00. Could you post a pic to show her condition?
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John Vandegrift

hi, thanks for the info, I wont be able to get a picture till the weekend, when my firlfriend comes round with a camera but i'll definatly put one on if she does'nt feed this weekend. shes not really skinny but she's clearly lost weight. do you know where/how they pick up these parasites? shes CB and is 10 years old.

many thanks,

Kenny

Have you had her for 10 years?
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John Vandegrift

hi, no I hav'nt i've had her for about 3, when I got her the previous owner told me that when she was younger she had had some kind of stomach problem ( idont remember what) but after treatment she'd had no other problems the entire time he'd had her, do you know if these problems be carried with obvious signs & and can they be passed indirectly to other snakes?

many thanks,

Kenny.

Hi, I just thought i'd let you know she decided to eat a nice big rat this weekend after all!

Thanks for all your help,

Kenny.