Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok my girlfriends rosy boa hasnt eaten for over two months and she wasnt that big when she started this fast, but she is getting skinnier she is super-lethargic and doesnt move arround much. Im starting to get worried about her. I keep wanting to think she is sick somehow but she doesnt show any signs of the normal illnesses (mites mouth rot, RI etc) So im not sure if i should take her to a vet or not.

Im looking to get some advice as to when is the right time to either try to force feed, or take to a vet or something..

thanks
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Russ
1 Brazillian Rainbow Boa (< 1 year old)
1 Rosy Boa (G/F's Snake)

Somehow i have to feed both?!
Melbourne, Fl

without seeing it, etc. I would at the least give it a luke warm, very shallow soaking to try to keep it hydrated.

How old & big is it? What temps are you keeping it at?

gah its prolly 4-8 months old, and about 1.5' long at its thickest it is no bigger then my pinky.

As for heating i have a under the tank heat source and as soon as winter came allong i've had over the top heat lamp on it 24/7
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Russ
1 Brazillian Rainbow Boa (< 1 year old)
1 Rosy Boa (G/F's Snake)

Somehow i have to feed both?!
Melbourne, Fl

I agree with the other poster. Hydrate that animal with a soak in very shallow water, like barely enough to reach 1/3 the way up the snake's side or less. 10 minutes is fine.

Florida is like the anti-rosy state in terms of ambient conditions. Boa constrictors fine, but dry-loving rosies, no. I don't know if that could be part of the problem.

Rule of thumb for baby rosies: keep them hydrated, but keep them dry the rest of the time. Provide a warm spot of like 85-90 deg and a cooler area in the 70's if you can. Alot of folks keep temps in the 80-82 deg range, but I believe in providing higher (and lower) even if the snakes use the higher temps very sparingly. At least it is there when they need it, and they do use it sometimes, even if for a short bask.

Ok i guess ill try to soak it when i get home tonight.
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Russ
1 Brazillian Rainbow Boa (< 1 year old)
1 Rosy Boa (G/F's Snake)

Somehow i have to feed both?!
Melbourne, Fl

a trick that I learned when mine went off feed for long periods was to offer them electrolytes in their water.... you can get this from most bird shops or tack shops. the electrolytes stimulate their appetites and will keep them very well hydrated if there is another issue going on with the snake.

without food.... i would strongly recommend that you offer a constant supply of water if they are not eating.. I know many breeders and keepers rarely offer their rosys water, but I myself have a kept them for years and never ever had a problem do to them always having a water bowl in their cage.

I would also suggest you get that snake to a vet for a fecal exam... may have a parasite or problem with the gut...

hope it helps.
byron.d

thanks for the reply, ill go ahead and look into that. It couldnt hurt.
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Russ
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Apollo)
1.0 Guyana Red-Tail Boa (Ares)
0.1 Rosy Boa (Athena)

Melbourne, Fl