Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My eastern has not eaten since 10-6, and she is starting to look "skiny". Any suggestions?
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Jenea

1:3 Eastern Hognose
0:0:1 Florida Redbelly Snake
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

What are the temps at? What was she feeding on? Depending on size, try toads or tree frogs. If you were feeding rodents try scenting with these. Other things that work for scenting is tuna water, and chicken broth.
Nick

In addition to herper79's comments, I have to ask if this animal has ever been checked for parasites? Have you been keeping track of weights on this animal?

My main concern is that of all the people who report anorexic hognoses on this forum, rarely have there ever been associated reports of skinniness. I feel that most times hognoses go off feed because they have met their caloric demands and don't have the requirement for more energy. They simply stop feeding and burn off some of the stored fat. I will have to say with 100% certainty, that a hognose not eating for only one month should have no visible weight loss whatsoever. Therefore I would be concerned primarily with parasites, especially if it has not been checked in the last six to 12 months, or if ever, and the possibility of some type of infection that is draining the energy of the snake.

Ideally you would have some baseline measurements of weight for this animal, for you to compare to the animal's weight now while it is anorexic. If that information was available you could easily assess your level of concern and determine your degree of action. I believe strongly in keeping weights on animals, and a tremendous emphasis should be placed on hognoses because of their spontaneous bouts of anorexia.

I feel that a visit to the veterinarian may be in order for the snake. In order to get a fecal sample for parasites, I have extensively used the "jumpstart" product which can easily be fed with a feeding tube and syringe by one person. Good luck and report back with some more information!
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If there is a just God, how humanity would writhe in its attempt to justify its treatment of animals. - Isaac Asimov

Human industry has been in full swing for a little over a century, yet it has brought about a decline in almost every ecosystem on the planet. Nature doesn't have a design problem. People do.
William McDonough, architect and designer, Sierra Club magazine

I do keep weight records. She is approx. 22 inches. In August she weighed 138 g, on 9-29 she weighed 99.05 g and on 10-26 she weighed 88 g. I have avoided weighing her since then to minimize stress. I was not worried at first because it is commonly stated on this forum that this is just what hogs do. I keep complete feeding records if that would help also. I have tried f/t/ toads, live toads, f/t pinkies, scented pinkies, and split brained pinkies with zero intrest from her. Last night, after read both post, I went outside and snagged a green tree frog, grabbed it with a hemostat, and she went NUTS! Her feeding response was so great that she actually bit at her self when she "moved". She ended up eating 2 tree frogs, and I think she would have eaten more, but I did not want her to gorge. All of the food items had been tried in the last week, some even yesterday. Is it kinda wierd for an Eastern to prefer Tree Frogs to Toads? I am still going to get her to the vet, I am luckly enough to have a great herp vet close by. I am just glad she ate, not the food item I would have prefered, but at this point I do not care Thanks for the help and advice.
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Jenea

1:3 Eastern Hognose
0:0:1 Florida Redbelly Snake
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

Good to hear she ate! Kinda funny that my eastern loves tree frogs also. They work best for me scenting my pinks. Mine is starting to take unscented pinks now.
Good luck with the vet, hope it's all good news.
Nick