Unable to feed

[zirliz]

I'm getting concerned about my albino Garter, I fed my garters as usual (I have 3 that live together), they all fed until it came to my albino garter (He rarely takes salmon), anyway I tried a small piece of salmon and it seemed ok but then he seemed unable to swallow like he physically couldn't keep it down I decided to leave him a week and try again he shed and remained active and acted hungry so last Thursday I de-frosted a pinkie and tried again but same thing so not I've removed him from the others and he is on his own It's rather worrying to me I've never seen that occur before he is over 2 years old. I'm now looking for a vet that knows about reptiles which is not that common here he may have to endure a journey to Dublin to find one would he be ok with a 3 hrs or so journey? Any advice would be great the other two are still feeding so not worried about them just yet though if it's some infection I'm hoping I can treat them all.

[snake man]

Any chance he swallowed any substrade?

[Light of Dae]

Dip the food in water. I had a radix that couldn't swallow his food unless it was in a dish with water. Maybe try serving him a dish of cut up worms in water.

What is he doing exactly? (Maybe should ask this first..) Does he swallow it then regurg it? Or does he attempt to eat it but cannot get it down?

[zirliz]

He swallows it but then I can see him struggle to keep it down and then he losses his fight to keep it down and then tries to eat it again so I take it from him

[Light of Dae]

Give him a warm bath n massage his belly before his vent.

My thinking is he is impacted... that he wants to eat but his belly is .. stuck full n when he swallows his food it hurts n wont sit because it cannot go further down the line.

Any chance he swallowed substrate? what are you using for substrate?

[Light of Dae]

Try worms.. easily digested.. might stay down. might get past... Keep very close eye on him. You said you removed from from the others, good idea, use only paper towels and check for poop often.

Offer only worms and or fish... Easily digested, MIGHT Just might get past blockage.

[zirliz]

If I didn't keep them on newspaper I'd have thought the same thing

[Light of Dae]

Still could be impacted... What do you feed? Fuzzies?
Garters are not designed to handle hair n nails on rodents like other larger snakes are...

[Invisible Snake]

If he is regurgitating you should stop attempting to feed him for at least 48 hours so that his stomach has a chance to recuperate.

I have only witnessed a snake stop during the middle of swallowing and spit the food back up when the food item was lightly dusted with vitamins.

[zirliz]

Still could be impacted... What do you feed? Fuzzies?
Garters are not designed to handle hair n nails on rodents like other larger snakes are...

Rat pups was what he was eating when I got him I was told he was eating these, I'd heard that before but hear a lot of people switch garters to mice etc just wondering if impaction is common and how do you resolve it? if that is his issue.

I waited a week before trying again the first time he did it and then when he failed the second week I moved him away from the others in case he was stressed.