mating season.

[sidvicious]

Hi

Even though I have had my boa sid for a few years she seems to have lost more weight than normal this mating season she is due to start eating anytime over the next month but i cant help but worry with how squishy she feels as she is still normally pretty firm even though she has not eaten since november.

Has anyone had a female who went like this?

When would you suggest a trip to the vets is called for?

[DennyS]

How old is she? I would offer a LIVE mouse not larger than she is thick and maybe a bit smaller. Is she GRAVID? The breeding season for most Boas is just about over. What do you feed? Need more info.

[sidvicious]

I am not sure on her age she is defanitly over the age of 4, I have had her over 3 years.

Normally she eats either extra large rats or adult quail, I have never given her live food,

She is still very active I am due to try her with another feed this week.

[DennyS]

For the safety of your snake I would try a live quail or some other bird that is farm raised. Please be aware that all birds can carry mites that can transmit to your snake. I would definitely try live. How often do you normally feed?

[sidvicious]

I normally feed her every 7-10 days, depending on what she has had.

I will see if i can get hold of a live farm bred quail it could be difficult in liverpool.

Thanks will keep you informed.

[DennyS]

even a chicken (chic) or a duckling chic for the test would be ok..... maybe a baby bunny (sorry!)....

[sidvicious]

thanks for the suggestions i have tried her with a small quail and she was not interested in it she tasted it then went into her hide,

I am wondering if a bump on her nose might be the cause of her not eating , she did it around september last year she had managed to escape and my cats had noticed and ganged up on her but did not hurt her and she went back in to her viv, when i awoke and found her tail out of the viv she started to hiss very loadly and started to thrash her tail about so i closed the door to let her calm down. Whilst closing the door she struck at me and hit the glass she struck from about 1ft away from me she has had the bump since then but she was eating fine the months after it.

Has anybody come across anything similar. I am looking for a vet in my area as i have recently moved. other than the not eating and the bump she is fine very active and vocal we have had her out and her temperament seems normal for her.

[DennyS]

Was she hitting or striking the side of her enclosure? Can you open her mouth and check for damaged or missing teeth? read up on mouthrot...

[sidvicious]

i believeing she was trying to strike me but hit the glass instead as i said i was shutting the door and the time. Her mouth seems fine I cant see any signs of mouth rot the only thing i see is a lump on the top of her nose. it does not appear to have changed since the accident.


I am going to book an appiontment at the vets for her.

[Cvanvollenstee]

The pet shop around the corner from me also have a 5 year old red tail boa. And it stopped eating for 3 months. And then one day it just started again. And this time it ate rabbits. I dont think it is anything to worry about althou it is a stress full time.