If you think you're scenario is odd, here's my story. I bought a young Dum from a friend of mine who sells snakes. He had trouble eating at first, but after my trying a million different things, he eventually ate. He was then feeding on a regular basis, about once every 7-10 days. Last October (that's 2007) he stopped eating. I also have a Royal python who coincidentally stopped eating at the same time. I took this as the regular winter non-feeding period. I did keep trying every couple of weeks to feed them but none of them did. I did not worry as this happened to me and my friend with other snakes as well, and I know enough to know that this is normal behavior. Of course I kept track of their size and weight and everything was OK.

In March of this year, as expected, my Royal started eating again. But unfortunately, my Dum did not. This went on for a few more weeks and I started noticing my Dum was getting thinner and lighter. Again I tried everything I knew to try and make him eat, but nothing seemed to work. He only striked in defense, would bite the rat and would let go immediately.

I was hesitant to force feed; that would be my ultimate last resort. After speaking with my friend, he said that there is one more thing we could try before force feeding; this is a method that he swore by. He told me to give him Flagyl which is an antiprotozoal drug administered orally. I gave him the recommended dosage over a period of 6 days and then left him alone for 10 days. On July 22 2008 (yes, you are reading the date correct, 9 months without food!!!! ), I gave him a small rat and he attacked and ate it like there's no tomorrow. Ever since, he eats his meal every week without any hesitations.

Needless to say that now I also swear by Flagyl.

I just wish I won't have to go through the same again next year.
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1.0.0 Dumerils Boa
1.0.0 Royal Python

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