Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, my female burm hasn't been eating in like 2 months. She had her first rabbit about 3 months ago, then in 2 weeks when she ate her 2nd, shortly after she regurged it. I tried another smaller rabbit, and same thing. I've been feeding her rats since then thinking they'd be easier on her, but she's regurged 2 of those and only eaten 1 completely. What should I do seing as I don't have the money right now for a vet visit?

Well first I would recommend checking your temperatures. If she is regurgitating the food, it could be because her temperatures are too cool. Make sure she has a basking temp of about 92 degrees and an ambient of 78-80. Not trying to be rude, but vet costs should have been thought about before the purchase of your snake. Money should be set aside in most cases, but I understand that things happen and that money might have had to go towards something else. If her temps and humdity are correct, then most likely the issue could be due to an intestinal infection. I would recommend seeing a vet immediately after checking temps.

By the way, are you feeding her within her enclosure? If so, do you handle her immediately after eating?

Chris
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

temps are about 85 cool end and 90-95 under the light. She's also been pretty lethargic lately. I don't think it's an infection or anything serious like that, but she's only 6' and the rabbit she tried was probably 3-4lbs, so it might've been too big for her to digest. Other than that, she seems to be alright. As to your ? about feeding in the enclosure, yes I do feed her f/t out of my hand in the enclosure, but do not handle her for at least 24 hrs.

"she's only 6' and the rabbit she tried was probably 3-4lbs, so it might've been too big for her to digest."

Definitely! A 6ft burm is far too small to be eating a rabbit of that size. I would probably changed over to colossal rats for the time being until she gets a little bigger.
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

sounds to big to me....ahhh..the smell of regurged rabbit...the worse smell known to man.
Try somthing smaller next time

I don't like to be critical but it sounds like you ought to consider finding a new home for your burm. First, hand feeding a burm is extremely dangerous and just outright stupid (if you make a mistake with a 16' burm, you are dead). Please, use tongs! Also, if you can't afford a vet, you honestly shouldn't be keeping a burm or any animal for that matter; that is part of the responsibility in owning an animal. Last, feeding a 6' burm a 3 or 4 lb rabbit is a recipe for disaster. Trying to ask for a diagnosis on this forum is NOT a good idea; there is no one here, including me, that would be qualified to make a diagnosis unless a veterinarian can actually see the animal. There could be MANY things wrong with this snake and only a qualified vet should make that determination. Sorry for the harsh reply but it needed to be said. Rob

>>temps are about 85 cool end and 90-95 under the light. She's also been pretty lethargic lately. I don't think it's an infection or anything serious like that, but she's only 6' and the rabbit she tried was probably 3-4lbs, so it might've been too big for her to digest. Other than that, she seems to be alright. As to your ? about feeding in the enclosure, yes I do feed her f/t out of my hand in the enclosure, but do not handle her for at least 24 hrs.
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

All the above replies, however nice or harsh are in great context and should be taken to the fullest extent of their word.

What has not been mentioned though is that by feeding so soon after a regurgitation you have made this worse. Your burm is sick and lethargic because it has been vomiting so much (in addition to the initial problem of course). All the more reason to take this feller to the vet.

When a client calls me and their animal needs to be seen by a vet but they have no money, the best suggestions I have for them are...
1)borrow money. Friends, parents, neighbors... consider everyone.
2)call your credit card company or bank. You'd be surprised how willingly they will extend your credit in an emergency. (To further their sympathy, perhaps exclude that your pet is a snake)
3)if you already have a relationship with your vet, sometimes a payment plan can be set up. It never hurts to ask.

Good luck with your snake and don't feed'm until that vet visit which shouldn't be to far away

Ian