Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a male 99 ball. He hasn't eaten for me since Jan. I moved him out of his new encloser into his old one because I figured that he always ate in this encloser. He only eats dead rodents, not a live. He has never eaten live rodents with me ever. He was always into the dead. Ok back to the sick thing, he has stopped eating during breeding season. Well, now it's been about six months since he last ate. Well, since I moved him into the encloser, he started to shed. His eyes clouded over and his bottem of his mouth is swollen. I have checked to see if he had mouth rot...no. He is healthy other wise. But he is losing his weight. I'm very worried! Does anyone have any sugguestions? I'm taking him to the vet this week, but before I do, I would like to get advise from some one who has done this before.

Thanks alot.

HAs he always eaten FROZEN/THAWED? If he has always been on f/t and has never been supplemented with a calcium/ multivite it could very well be either a biotin deficincy or a MBD problem. Most people dont realize that feeding f/t mice to their snakes and only f/t without supplementing once every few months or so can severly damage them. This is my thought.
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"i wasn't born with enough middle fingers"

1.0 ball python- Azazel
1.0 columbian boa- Brooklyn
1.0 JCP-Milton
1.0 red blood python-Hiss
1.0 peach phase thayeri-Sancho
0.1 creamsicle corn- Pandora
1.1 hognose- Pricilla and Odd
0.1 russian tortoise- Manja
0.1.1 leos- Boji and Kodama
0.1 beardie- Indie
1.0 BTS- Griffon
0.1 Iggy- Sunny
0.1 pacific parrolet- Mishka
1.1 cats- Cairo and Oberon
1.4 ratties Rizzo, Bree, Blitzkreig, Raisin, and the Runt (R.I.P. Willard. )

............severe damage without supplementing with calcium? does this only apply to F/T rodents? thanks in advance

THis applies to alot of foods that have been frozen. The freezing process destroys alot of different vitamin complexes. Which makes sence if you think of it...freezing changes things compositions. Biotin is a big one. Biotin allows for proper liver function and blood transportation (i believe). Biotin is lost often in the freezing and thawing processes. If you have fed your snake on frozen for years, he is severely lacking in this vital complex. I do believe that biotin also (this is a big one) helps blood transport calcium to the proper places (organs, bones, etc). I think that this may be the reason for the swollen jaw...rubber jaw is a major symptom of metabolic bone disease.

I supplement my snakes that get only f/t every month or so, depending on growth rate. For this reason, along with other nutritional issues, i give my larger snakes prekilled other than f/t.

Look into this, i think that this may be what it wrong with your ball. If it is so, he may just need some calcium injections and possibly some fluids (electrolytes). Bring it up to your vet, he may want to do some blood work to be sure.

-----
"i wasn't born with enough middle fingers"

1.0 ball python- Azazel
1.0 columbian boa- Brooklyn
1.0 JCP-Milton
1.0 red blood python-Hiss
1.0 peach phase thayeri-Sancho
0.1 creamsicle corn- Pandora
1.1 hognose- Pricilla and Odd
0.1 russian tortoise- Manja
0.1.1 leos- Boji and Kodama
0.1 beardie- Indie
1.0 BTS- Griffon
0.1 Iggy- Sunny
0.1 pacific parrolet- Mishka
1.1 cats- Cairo and Oberon
1.4 ratties Rizzo, Bree, Blitzkreig, Raisin, and the Runt (R.I.P. Willard. )

gg

He eat's fresh pre-killed rats only. not frozen thawed