| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| CaRDiaK |
Posted - 04/04/2011 : 14:26:43
Hi,
I have my first long awaited hognose.
I have had him for over 3 weeks now and I haven't managed to get him to feed. Attached is pics of his setup with a zippo for size reference (sorry this was all I had to hand at the time) Do you think its his environment that is stopping him from eating? If I need to change it I wont to do so pronto as I think it will stress him again then ill be getting on to 4 weeks of not feeding. I understand this might not be a problem but its my first snake and my first pet for that matter and I just find getting this first feed a bit worrying. Any help / advice appreciated.
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| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| andi |
Posted - 04/12/2011 : 22:43:25
hope u get him sorted out soon doesn't sound good poor wee mite, have u taken him back to the person/shop u got him from to find out if he even ate at the last place and if so wot was he/she feeding them and wot technique? |
| LouiseB |
Posted - 14/11/2011 : 12:53:50
Hi, it might be a good idea to post this as a new topic, then you're more likely to get some replies. Otherwise people will just assume you're commenting on the old thread and might not bother to read it.
First thought - you don't mention when he last ate. If it has been several months and he has lost as much weight as you say, it's probably time to get him to a vet or reptile breeder who can help you to assist feed. |
| MobxHognose |
Posted - 12/11/2011 : 03:46:05
Hey new to the forum. I really need to get in touch with other people that have hogs.
I have 10 hogs. And for the most part they are all doing amazing. I have 2 snake racks that are setup pretty much perfect.
My problem is my male red. I got him around June 2011. He weighed 50 grams and was my most aggressive eater. He grew much faster than some of my others for a while.. I weighed him on 9/2/2011 and he weight exactly 80 grams LOOKED GREAT. Next few weeks go by and he skipped 2 meals? Very unusual but he looked/acted okay. no mouth slime, no mites, no weezing.. I weighed him on 9/20 and he dropped to 66 grams. So I was freaking out a bit and took him to the vet and they say he PROBABLY has worms. They worm him and give me some to take home and said all would be well. Well 10/6 he weighed 56 grams (10 more lost grams) and today 11/11/11 he weighs 55 grams. Does any one have any ideas? He does not have his ribs showing or any loose skin. He acts pretty aggressive still so not lathargic. Someone said he could have been thrown into hibernation? The temp has dropped in the house a little but affected nothing else? If you have any input please help me. p.s. He has always eating frozen thawed and wont except live I tried... |
| mort13 |
Posted - 25/07/2011 : 17:04:04
Aww,you must be out of your mind with worry for this little guy. Fingers crossed for you both. |
| CaRDiaK |
Posted - 25/07/2011 : 15:12:08
I think this is my next try to be honest as he's started to bring tails back up :-/
Such a fussy fella |
| LouiseB |
Posted - 12/07/2011 : 13:43:14
I did something very similar with my hoggy to what Kehhlyr suggested, just to get him started off feeding. I held the pinkie's snout right in front of Bob's head and then pushed it against his mouth until he opened up and then popped it in! I did have to keep pushing it gently while it went down, to stop him from spitting it out, but it did work and perhaps it could work for your hoggy too? |
| Kehhlyr |
Posted - 12/07/2011 : 00:17:57
Can you get a really small pink and try to nurse it part way down head first like you do with the tails? |
| CaRDiaK |
Posted - 11/07/2011 : 15:34:55
Hi again and thanks. Yes I have used Reptiboost since I got him :)
Just an update, I gave him another tail this weekend and so far he hasn't thrown it back up.
Last time he was assisted the guy had to use a probe to get him to open his mouth, well here I think is where we are progressing.
I can get the tails in him without using anything other than the tail :D
Basically just hold it to his mouth until he eventually opens a little, then by very gently twisting the tail he seems to take it. Ill get it 2/3's of the way in then pretty much just play with him until he munches it down, then I just leave him be.
I hope I can get him onto pinks eventually 
Thank you all for your continued help I really appreciate it. |
| LouiseB |
Posted - 07/07/2011 : 15:38:59
Some shops are great, but sadly others aren't, especially ones that only sell reptiles as part of a large range of other animals, as they don't tend to have much specialist knowledge of how to look after snakes. I don't know what category your shop came under, but anyway, I hope you have a bit more luck with the next feed. Try the half-pinkie again and also try adding the Reptoboost to the water so that he at least gets some nutrients even if he doesn't get any protein. |
| CaRDiaK |
Posted - 06/07/2011 : 13:16:17
Hey he was from a shop. Yes it was definately the tail, it was 2 days afterwards and looked exactly like what he ate. He has done 2 poo's since I have had him, about 3 days after each tail.
I read perseverance is key, I'll offer another pink tomorrow and if not taking, take him for another tail at weekend. Fingers crossed still egh :) |
| LouiseB |
Posted - 01/07/2011 : 14:53:58
Was the regurge the day after he was fed - also, did you see him do it? I know it's a strange question, but I just wanted to check it was definitely a regurge and not a poo!
It's a shame you're having so many problems with him, and there probably isn't much more you can do for him other than what you're doing. I think I said before that he was probably sold to you too soon - I doubt if he was feeding on his own before you got him. Was he from a shop or directly from the breeder? |
| Gmac |
Posted - 01/07/2011 : 12:23:12
I would wait 10-14 days before trying to feed again.
Have you tried adding reptoboost in the water, it wont make your snake eat but does addsome nutrients and the likes.
quote:
Originally posted by Kehhlyr
Was just wondering of anyone on here had heard of the idea of trying to take snake out for a drive in a small container with prey item and nothing else in that has worked for some people.
I have not taken them for a drive specifically to get them eating, however I do tend to feed them pretty much right away when i get new snakes home with a very good success rate. I have a few friends that have tried and succeeded with this method also.
The elec toothbrush is not one i have tried although again a breeder i know, she does use something similar but slightly bigger than a toothbrush to provide the vibrations. |
| CaRDiaK |
Posted - 01/07/2011 : 11:43:05
He regurgitated his last tail on Sunday. How long do I wait before attempt feed / force feed.
I'm guessing about a fortnight to let his acid get back up to level :(
Poor mite I really don't know what to do with him other than what I keep trying. Sad times really :( |
| Kehhlyr |
Posted - 17/06/2011 : 03:31:31
Was just wondering of anyone on here had heard of the idea of trying to take snake out for a drive in a small container with prey item and nothing else in that has worked for some people.
The toothbrush is for those that don't drive, apparently taping it to the side of a small tub, or using it to make the tub vibrate in areas where the prey item is can make the feeding response build up.
THe reasoning behind it is that snakes also hunt via vibrations as well so instead of just smelling the mouse it can sense the vibrations from it 'digging' in the floor.
My male will not eat anything unless he has to stalk it, that means making it seem as alive as possible. |
| CaRDiaK |
Posted - 16/06/2011 : 20:37:08
quote:
Originally posted by Kehhlyr
Have you got an electric toothbrush??
Intrigued also, but yes actually I do.
Just came back from the local store and we have had another tail :) I think it's going to have to be tough love for him for a while. Heard an interesting suggestion of getting a pinky stuck on the tail then as he is taking the tail, he may carry on to the pink.
Gave the shop a fiver, he was reluctant to take it but I said just use it on something for the store. Been a great help at times even if its just with confidence in what I'm doing with him.
Thanks again for looking, hopefully we will be on pinks soon! :D
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