Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I rescued this 8 Foot long Burm last July 2009. The people who had it, said that it has not ate in 6 months!! It also had many mites on it. and it was getting thin.

I took it home, got rid of the mites. Took it to the vet. He said to quarintine it from my other snakes. so I keep it in a room on the other side of the house. I asked the Vet. to tube feed it.

I keep trying to feed it live, and pre-killed. But it just won't eat. So I have had to have it tube fed almost every month.

It will cruse around it's cage,stand up high,push against the lid, it will go to the water bowl and drink. But I notice that it does not use it's tongue much. It only uses it sometimes and only out a little. Never sticks it out farther, the way normal Burms do.

During all these months, the snake has only urinated 3 times. But has not yet had a bowel movement,which the Vet. said, in this case, that the food is all going for body nurishment.

Even after all these months, the Vet says to still keep her away from the other snakes, because she may have something that may be contagious, even though the blood tests came back OK.
He would like to do a liver biopsy, but warned that since the snake is sort of week, it may not survive the anesthesia. I don't want to put this poor snake through that. I also don't want to force feed a rat to her, it could get caught in her throat if she won't swallow it, and cause more damage.

I just want her to start eating on her own. Has anyone else out there had this problem? any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any replys and help.

n/p

Hi!
It sounds like the snake hasn't been getting enough nutrition to fully recover and it's been more or less hangin' in limbo all this time.

Based on the fact that its still alive after all this time I see a will to live. It appears to be fighting death. There are some medical conditions in which I could justify not prolonging a snake's suffering, however, I don't think this is the case with your rescue. You haven't mentioned any real medical conditions (disease, infection, etc...) that lead me to believe that it would be better off dead. I'm not knockin' "mjf"s response, by any means, I just respectfully disagree with it in this particular situation. I know where he's coming from - been there, done that.

Mites cause dehydration, and given the infrequent tube feedings the few urination times don't surprise me much. It sounds to me that its been given just enough nutrients to survive, but not enough to overcome. I suggest maintaining the humidity level on the high end of the range - around 65 - 75%, and tube-feeding every week for at least one month.

Once you see it becoming more active you can offer it a small meal. For an 8 - 9ft Burm I'd suggest starting with a small - medium rat. The reason I suggest smaller than usual rats is to avoid a meal that could be too intimidating in size. I also suggest using F/T or pre-killed to begin with to avoid having a brash - in your face - rat intimidating the snake.

I can't stress enough how important it is to "know" what the cage temps & humidity levels are, and to be sure they're where they need to be.

I wish you all the best! Please keep us posted on how things go.

Have a good one!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

I agree with the previous post. My main concern is hydration. I would recommend high humidity, warm temperatures and a hide box. I know hides aren't popular with large boids but my burms always took advantage of a hiding spot. There's a lot to be said about a snake who feels secure.

The only other thing is maybe allowing the snake to soak for extended periods of time in the bathtub and when it's getting better you may offer it chicken. I had a picky male who went crazy over poultry when rats and rabbits didn't get any response. Thawed out chicken or turkey drumsticks from the store did the trick.

I would never put a snake down who was well enough to explore its cage. I think you're on the right track.

Terry

I want to thank you both,HappyHillbilly, and Terrylove. You both show encouragement and faith.

This snake is a beautiful Albino Berm. she acts normal in every way except that she will not eat on her own and don't use her tongue much to smell.

It has been expensive to have her tube fed each month, but the Vet. says that she is getting much stronger each month, it now takes 4 people to help get her fed. I don't want to give-up on her. She is such a good and friendly snake.

I will take your advice, I will soak her often in some water. She has a blanket to hide under. I will also try the chicken idea. Hope that will work. Thank you for a positive answer and suggestion. I really appreciate both your help very much.

What have you tried as a food source? live/dead? Try chicken from the grocery store. Put the legs and stuff on a paper plate so that if it doesn't eat it...you still can!

Jaykis, thanks for your reply. I have been trying to feed her prekilled (frozen), and also live rats. But there is no reaction at all. Nothing. I move the rat around infront of her, still nothing. I also tried ginnipigs. still nothing.

As for the tube feeding, that is something that the Vet. mixes-up, and he also adds liquids and vitamins.

She is starting to go into shed now. After she has completed this, I will sure try the chicken. I never tried it before.

Thanks again.