[Feeding Issue] Tube Feeding Complete, now what?

[taxcollector]

I would have a video but my camera shut off for some reason mid tube feed and I wasn't about to try and get it back up and running with a syringe in 1 hand and a snake in the other. Everything went smooth and it took less than a minute once I got everything setup. The tube I got is only about 8-12 inches long. I stuck all but about 2 inches of it in her. I pumped in 20 ML of gerbers chicken baby food mixed with water so it was like a runny milkshake. I then put her back in her enclosure.

So now what? She hasn't eaten on her own in almost 4 months. What's the next step? Offer her a small mouse in a week or 2? Tube feed her again in a week?

[Noelle7206]

Re: Tube Feeding Complete, now what?

Patience, dear... let her rest...see how SHE feels, read her mood...wait & see... Glad it went well (-told you it's not hard, lol). Not to worry about the lack of a video; my fingers are crossed hoping she keeps it down...
and also that it perks her up.

[taxcollector]

Re: Tube Feeding Complete, now what?

read her mood

with or without food she isn't the most loving. She likes to go for your face, and I don't see that changing with or without food haha.

[Noelle7206]

Re: Tube Feeding Complete, now what?

I think that you have to consider that if she isn't feeling good, that might be the reason she is so defensive & "goes for your face". When snakes are hurting internally, they do not understand & typically lash out at the nearest
scapegoat. Don't take it personal. Hungry snakes react in a similar manner...as do snakes that have been excessively teased with their prey....let's hope that's all it is...something simple & fixable with patience & good care.

[taxcollector]

Re: Tube Feeding Complete, now what?

let's hope that's all it is...something simple & fixable with patience & good care.

For her health I am hoping so. She pooped within a few hours. Kept everything down that I put in her. Im going to offer her a VERY small prey item in a week. If she doesn't eat I will try 1 more tube feed. Glad to see that her bowels are working properly though!

[Noelle7206]

Re: Tube Feeding Complete, now what?

For her health I am hoping so. She pooped within a few hours. Kept everything down that I put in her. Im going to offer her a VERY small prey item in a week. If she doesn't eat I will try 1 more tube feed. Glad to see that her bowels are working properly though!

No harm trying a small prey item just to see what page she's on (I would too)...I do hope you offer it in a non-threatening manner. That's really cool that she defecated for you...hope you got your sample to the vet!?

[taxcollector]

Re: Tube Feeding Complete, now what?

I do hope you offer it in a non-threatening manner

I offer all my animals food in a non-threatening manner. As for the sample, because of my job I have no way to get to the vet right now. The last time I tried I had to put in 2 weeks in advance I needed the day off and the day before I got schedule to takeover for someone's shift, no ifs ands or buts about it! That's working for the railroad for ya...

[Noelle7206]

Re: Tube Feeding Complete, now what?

I offer all my animals food in a non-threatening manner....

I was referring to the earlier video where you were trying to show her feeding response by essentially chasing her with a dead rat suspended from your feeding tongs. You may not have meant to threaten her, but
that is how myself & others saw it...and I guarantee that's how your snake saw it. Please understand that I'm only trying to help you learn better techniques...feeding snakes is usually easy & fun...when it's not, there
is a reason, and it's not necessarily the snake's problem. Many (if not most) predators go after snakes from above...snakes are usually on the ground, after all. And it's a predator that approaches a snake, not their prey.

As for having "no way to get to the vet right now" (just with the stool sample you so desperately wanted!?) isn't there a friend who might have dropped it off for you? I do understand jobs that require working LOTS of
hours (I honestly do)...but if that's the case on a regular basis I really think you ought to reconsider keeping pets at all, as the lack of care is not fair to them, is it?

[Pandorasdad]

Re: Tube Feeding Complete, now what?

The next step is still a vet visit.

Sent from my HTC One via Tapatalk

[taxcollector]

Re: Tube Feeding Complete, now what?

As for having "no way to get to the vet right now" (just with the stool sample you so desperately wanted!?) isn't there a friend who might have dropped it off for you? I do understand jobs that require working LOTS of
hours (I honestly do)...but if that's the case on a regular basis I really think you ought to reconsider keeping pets at all, as the lack of care is not fair to them, is it?

ANDDDD here you go, back on the banter wagon. Thought I would give you a 2nd chance as you completely turned my last post into a feeding frenzy of the blame game. I will say my good-byes here once and for all. Thankyou for what advice you have given me so far and please understand that I have no hard feelings but will no longer be responding to you.

[Noelle7206]

Re: Tube Feeding Complete, now what?

ANDDDD here you go, back on the banter wagon. Thought I would give you a 2nd chance as you completely turned my last post into a feeding frenzy of the blame game. I will say my good-byes here once and for all. Thankyou for what advice you have given me so far and please understand that I have no hard feelings but will no longer be responding to you.

The best ear-plugs are made from ego...just sayin'. My advice has been given with your snake in mind...nothing else.

You've asked me many questions...feel free to ask someone else...maybe they'll put more sugar on it for you.

[Atrayu]

Re: Tube Feeding Complete, now what?

Wow, interesting.:-/