snickersnake
12-22-2008, 04:51 PM
This was my little garter who just really wouldn't eat much...could only get her to eat worms and she would only eat a couple. Then she quit...had no interest and it was almost as if she forgot how. Many of you suggested partial brumation...that it might be too cold. I didn't think so because I brought her up to my room where it is quite warm (75-80) and she still wouldn't eat after being here a couple of weeks.
I took her to the vet. We have only one vet in this whole city who will look at snakes and even they don't get many because it's a big office and EVERYONE was in the reception area when I brought her in! They ALL had to see the snake!
The vet was great. He couldn't believe how friendly and comfortable she was being held. He spent a lot of time with us. He said she was healthy - I got to hear her heartbeat - and said that it was most likely partial brumation. Too cold for her to eat. He said that the heater under the tank was good but that he preferred infrared light. He said to have that on during the day and that the heater would be enough for nighttime (the room is warm at night too).
A couple of days of that, and I tried again. Voila! She ate a couple of worms. A few days later, I gave her a couple more. The next time, she ate even more! I am just so happy!
I got vitamins to put on the worms only after I knew she would eat - I didn't want a bad taste to make her stop eating again. When she gets larger, I will feed her pinkies. The vet said that, too. Getting her on pinkies is best, but then I knew that because of this site. Everything I need is on this site. He told me about another site but I told him about this one and how much great info is here and how helpful everyone is.
She is the best little snake I've ever had and it was just killing me. I thank you all again for your help.
I took her to the vet. We have only one vet in this whole city who will look at snakes and even they don't get many because it's a big office and EVERYONE was in the reception area when I brought her in! They ALL had to see the snake!
The vet was great. He couldn't believe how friendly and comfortable she was being held. He spent a lot of time with us. He said she was healthy - I got to hear her heartbeat - and said that it was most likely partial brumation. Too cold for her to eat. He said that the heater under the tank was good but that he preferred infrared light. He said to have that on during the day and that the heater would be enough for nighttime (the room is warm at night too).
A couple of days of that, and I tried again. Voila! She ate a couple of worms. A few days later, I gave her a couple more. The next time, she ate even more! I am just so happy!
I got vitamins to put on the worms only after I knew she would eat - I didn't want a bad taste to make her stop eating again. When she gets larger, I will feed her pinkies. The vet said that, too. Getting her on pinkies is best, but then I knew that because of this site. Everything I need is on this site. He told me about another site but I told him about this one and how much great info is here and how helpful everyone is.
She is the best little snake I've ever had and it was just killing me. I thank you all again for your help.