Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a wonderful albino boa who has not had a morsel of food for 3 months. I am worried about her. She has shed about a month ago and it was a perfect shed all one piece. Someone told me to dip the mouse in chicken broth, but that didn't work. The same person told me there is a supplement that I could put in the Boa's water that would increase her appetite. But I don't know what it's called or who sells it. Does anyone out there have a clue to what it's called or have any ideas about how to get my baby to eat. I have tried live and frozen but she is not interested at all. Thank you for any help. Kim kimruger@yahoo.com

Hi,
In order to give you good suggestions we need a little more info. If you would take the time to answer the following questions it will help people to better help you.

How old is the snake?
It's length?
When was the last time it ate?
What is it's condition now (Skinny, still healthy looking, etc...)?
How long have you had it and has it eaten since you've had it?
What are the temperatures within the snake's enclosure? (Humidity level sounds like it could be OK since it shed in one piece but posting the humidity level would still be good.)

Initially I can't help but wonder if a temperature drop within it's cage could have anything to do with it but there are so many other possibilities I wouldn't put any money on it without knowing the answers to the above Qs.

As for a supplement to put in it's water to increase appetite, I'm unaware of any. But even if I knew of one that would be my last resort as it could just be a bandaid, masking the real problem.

Catch ya later!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

Thank you for your reply. My boa is 1 1/2 yrs. old. 3'long thats approx. she is active. I am starting to see indentions in her body where you can see the outline of her backbone. she has a red heat lamp 88 degrees, hide box, large container of water she puts her whole body in it. I would appteciate any help. kim

kimruger,
Please keep in mind that I'm not a reptile veterinarian and I can't physically see your boa. That means that you ultimately have to make the decision of whether or not to take it to a qualified reptile vet and when. When in doubt, go. It might be a good idea. In the meantime I'll see if I can help.

> > > "...large container of water she puts her whole body in it."

If your boa spends a fair amount of time in its water bowl you could have a problem with low humidity and/or mites. Tanks with screen tops should be covered with aluminum foil, plastic, cardboard, etc, to help keep humidity in. Sometimes placing the water bowl under the heat source can help increase the humidity level.

Inspect your snake closely for mites if you haven't already, looking closely around the eyes and on the belly.

Have you made any changes to the snake's cage (other than typical cleaning & changing substrate) or the room it's kept in?

What did it eat the last time that you fed it? Is it used to frozen/thawed mice or rats or prefer live?

I suggest trying to feed it a small live mouse, one that probably wouldn't even leave a bulge in the snake. If it's used to eating mice, offer it mice, not rats. And vice-versa. But I would try anything I could get my hands on that was smaller than usual for it. Sometimes a snake is fed to large of a rodent to where they may have problems eating it, whether we realize it or not, and they can become intimidated by size, even if they've eaten larger size rodents before.

I also suggest trying to feed it in the evening instead of during the day.

Hang in there!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

Simba does not stay in her water all the time just on occasion maybe once every two weeks. I've had her soon after she was born and she always had frozen. I did try alive mouse that was little more than a fuzzy. She didn't want any part of it. I do keep her bowl of water on a heating pad that is under the vision cage. She has a hide box which she does use a lot. Simba is active I do take her out and hold her but not to much because I don't want her getting stressed. She is very docile never tried to strike one time. I do have a vet appointment friday with an exotic vet that I have used for 17 yrs. I appreciate your help, it has been suggested that she may be in hybernation and just doesn't want to eat. kim

Brumation, which is a form of hibernation, could be a possibility. The reason I haven't mentioned it yet is because (1)most snakes in brumation aren't very active and you said Simba was, (2)brumation is hard to prove out.

Some snakes go through a non-eating phase that can last up to several months but not usually at such a young age/size. Boas, in particular may, I can't remember since it's been so long since I've kept them. Some people call this phase a form of brumation. Snakes can be somewhat active during this time.

My troubleshooting philosophy is based on the process of elimination, eliminate obvious possibilities first and then move on to the not so obvious possibilities.

About the only things I can think of at the moment would be to make sure you have a good, proper temperature gradient in its enclosure and keep the temps towards the high end of the recommneded range. I would also not handle Simba for several days and then try feeding again.

One more question: Simba hasn't been laying with her head elevated or breathing heavy, has she? Just would like to rule out respiratory infection along with the other things that seem to have been ruled out.

Best wishes!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American