snake won't eat...

[Ballerina87]

Can snakes get constipated? It feels a little silly to ask. But, my snake is about 8 years old and he has never skimped out on being fed. Now it has been a month and a few days since he has eaten last. He has a bulge near his butt like he gets before he poops. He also has become really aggressive when I try to handle him. He has never bitten anyone and he tried to strike at me twice in the last month! I am pretty concerned. I am going out of town for spring break and there isn't any sort of specialist in town. I have looked everywhere within a 50 mile radius!

[Llamalady]

I would be concerned by these symptoms. I don't know about constipation but it definitely sounds conceivable.

I do know that snakes CAN become anorexic. Especially female burmese pythons and then that's not fun because you have to force feed them. I learned all about this when I ended up being the caretaker for my cousin's burmese python named Baccardi, taking her to the vet, and taking care of her. The vet said that it's not uncommon at all for snakes - especially the burmese python and especially females - to become anorexic. Who would have thought? So I force-fed her chicken gizzards, and after Amanda didn't care about taking care of HER snake anymore ("she can starve for all I care if she's not going to take care of herself"), I took a lot of time to find another family for her; a good family for her. (I had enough animals on my plate without having to forcefeed a snake that wasn't even mine (and the owner was right there and COULD take care of her!!!) because this was when I was fostering all sorts of animals down in Mississippi.)

Hopefully someone with a little bit more snake experience will have some great tips for you. :D

[Kkye]

what kind of snake and how big? and do you feed frozen or live mice? had anything in his world changed? what about his temperature gradient? i forget what the temps should be..and his hides? what does he hide in? and does he get soaks? one good thing you can use is a container with a hole in the top, so he can go soak while feeling secure.

i know some about snakes, so i'll try to help!

[Ballerina87]

It's been 8 weeks now. He still hasn't eaten. He is about 8 years old now, and 5 feet 1 inch long. He is a corn snake and eats frozen mice. Nothing in his living condition has changed. He has his warm spot and hiding place and bathing pool. He has never had any problems and has been in this cage and set up for about 4 years now.

Some people have suggested constipation? They have suggested warm baths, lots of handling, and gentle squeezing and pushing from the mid section. I have tried all and he has pooped. He just won't eat. I have tried cooking his mice in broth to make it more appealing, but he wont take it. He has only eaten them reheated his whole life.

I am losing my mind!

[Ballerina87]

And it continues on. He still won't eat. I read on a few different websites that an adult corn snake can go for 7 months without eating and be fine! That's crazy!

[horsesinusa]

hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi

[Ballerina87]

Well, we are in his final hours. I went to take him out this morning and he was very cold and moving very slow. When I took him to the vet, they said to just keep trying. I have had snakes die before and my boy is looking that way now. :(

[Dr_Thunder]

I'm sorry to hear he's not doing well. I have a female corn snake. She's about 13 now. I've had problems like what you're describing, but she's bounced back. Have you tried offering live pinky mice? A rosy boa I used to have refused to eat for over a month, and live pinky mice ended up working. Pretty weird, I know, but worth a try. I really hope you find something that works. Good luck.

[Llamalady]

A change in food style as suggested as Dr Thunder may just be what your snake needs. But at this point, if he is so far gone, I would think the only option is to try force-feeding. I am sending you all my good thoughts! Good luck with your scaly baby!

[special]

Well, we are in his final hours. I went to take him out this morning and he was very cold and moving very slow. When I took him to the vet, they said to just keep trying. I have had snakes die before and my boy is looking that way now. :(

oh I'm so sorry. I hope you've seen this other newer suggestion. Please keep us updated.

[Ballerina87]

He is still holding on. I got your suggestion early this morning Thunder and took him to the pet store. Sadly I am incapable of feeding live. The only live feeding I can do is the crickets I feed my tarantula. Anyway, I took him to the exotic pets store. They let me buy the baby mouse and they tried to feed him. They had a specialist in the store this morning. :) He wouldn't eat it. :( So they got to keep the mouse. He shed again. I don't know how he keeps doing this since he isn't eating and isn't getting nutrients in his body. Even after he sheds he is pale and his eyes look white. He feels cold all the time. I checked his heating pad and lamp and both make the cage cosy warm. That's never changed. I am out of ideas and my baby is losing time. :(