force feeding

[Snake lover 3-25]

i was just wondering could you blend up some fish or other snake food and put it in a needleless syringe and use this to force feed them???? wouldn't it be much easier than trying to get a whole mouse down????

[GartersRock]

Why are you needing to force feed? Don't you just have your two easterns?

[adamanteus]

Actually, a firmer food item, such as a pinky, is easier than liquified 'gloop' I think. The snake can close it's throat and stop the slop from going down. With a firmer item you can apply a little pressure behind it to pass those close-up muscles.
But.... force-feeding is dangerous and stressful for your snake, and should really only be resorted to as an absolute last measure to prevent death. I don't think it should be considered as a useful tool, unless the snake is going to die anyway.
I think I said before, in another thread, I've had snakes die in my hands because of the stress of force feeding.... and I'm quite good at it.

[Loren]

Shanley, I agree with James. I have also had snakes die during assist feeding, although usually if a snake is to the opoint of needing assist feeding, it is nearly dead anyways, so the stress of the ordeal may be more than they can handle.
Snakes can go a long time without food- as long as their body is holding decent condition, I would not get too concerned about a few missed meals, just make sure you have them set up properly, and address any health issues, as you have been, and they will hopefully come around.
Just recently, my new baby taiwan beauty snake died while trying to assist feed it, but it was given to me because it had never eaten since being hatched several months earlier, so it was just too weak. I had to try it as a last resort though, as all other methods had failed. Survival of the fittest in that case- and it wasnt fit.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Shanley, if you are considering force feeding your Sooty, Don't!!!

He is FINE, even if he is still refusing food. they can go a very long time without eating and as stated previously, force feeding is only done if a snake is on it's last limbs (dieing). As long as your nake continues to keep himself hydrated and the problem slowly heals, he is not in much danger.

[Thamnophis]

Whether you have to forcefeed or not is something I cannot judge from here.

But when you want to forcefeed you can use a small fish. This is streamlined and goes down easily. People sometimes use fish to forcefeed Boa constrictors or other not fish eating snakes.

[Snake lover 3-25]

no no no no no i'm NOT going to force feed anything.... just wondering!!!LOL
BTW i'm not feeding Sooty until he sheds which should be in a few days!!!YAY!!!
he has only not eaten once....