Force Feeding vs Assist Feeding

[Snake lover 3-25]

just a bit i think..... maybe a few degrees lower.....

[brain]

OK noted TY

[mtolypetsupply]

Well, I assist fed my corns again today. I've been trying the "put it in their mouth and freeze" method, but it seems that they freeze too. The ghost one seems to "chew" on it but doesn't really work it down. The normal one just froze.

So I was watching an animal planet rerun last night where they delivered puppies by c-section, and they had to stimulate them to breathe. And I was thinking about when you give a mammal a pill and rub their throat to get them to swallow. So I made a leap and tried something with my snakies.

I started rubbing under their jaw in the direction of a swallow, and moving them from hand to hand as if they were slithering along. The ghost got the idea, and swallowed, and so did Norma!!!! Once they got their mouths closed, they froze again. So I tried to stimulate them to move, so they'd move the prey down, and lo and behold, it worked. The whole process took longer with Norma than ghost, but it worked.

I decided to try this because it seems as if they have no idea what to do with food once it is in their mouths. Instinct doesn't kick in. Maybe they just needed to be shown. At at 9" and 3 grams, I feel so badly for the poor normal, and the ghost is 11" and 5 grams. Something needed to be done for them.

Now they both have a nice little lump, and are resting comfortably. I'm going to try again in a few days, and try the massage again if they haven't caught on to the process.

Has anyone else tried a more active assist feed? What did you do? How did it work out?

[Snake lover 3-25]

wow never thought of that!!! great idea!!!

[adamanteus]

Great work, Stephi! Congratulations.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I am still assist feeding both of my non feeders.... the diffused motley ultramel actually stalks the pinky and acts like shes gonna GET IT... but then she just doesnt! I have been assist feeding pinky heads, and once I get it into her mouth she even chews on it now! Neither will swallow it on their own unless I push it just into their throat, then they push it down all on their own and act as if they just ate a meal all by theirself!!!

[Snake lover 3-25]

lol silly little guys!!! but i bet you love them just as much!!!!!

[SaytaSora]

I came across this when I was trying to figure out how to get my baby garter to eat... It's the only one out of the entire clutch that still hasn't eaten and looks rather small compared to the others and doesn't have the energy the others have. I would like to try assist feeding, but how in the world do I open the little guy's mouth?? I can't figure it out lol

[guidofatherof5]

When I did force feedings I used a credit card to get the mouth open then used a smooth toothpick end to gently push the worm piece down the throat.
I don't assist feed any snakes especially neonates. I believe there is more going on with the snake then just not eating. My success with force feeding was 0%. The snake may have started eating on its own but within months died quickly for no known reason.
I bow to nature and understand not every snake in a litter is meant to live. I used to struggle with the death of these young snakes, thinking I had done something wrong or wasn't providing what was needed.
"The strong shall survive" and "Nature does know best" in most situations.
I still feel bad when I lose these little ones but have a much clearer understanding of why.

[d_virginiana]

The snake may have started eating on its own but within months died quickly for no known reason.

Just had that happen with the baby blackneck I had to forcefeed. He did fine for awhile, then just nosedived. Based on the way he was drinking the last few days my guess is kidney failure, so something completely unrelated to eating. The sickly one that started eating on his own is still doing great though.

Also noticed the one that died never really grew like you'd expect, even when he was eating. At nearly a year, he was about a tenth the size of his healthy sister and a third the size of his brother that was almost a ftt.