Lavender corn not eating

[Stygian Faerie]

She's about a year and a half old and I've had her since she was 7 weeks. I asked about her feeding when we bought her and was told that she was a fantastic eater... Total b.s... but I fell in love with her and didn't mind her being a bit fussy.
For the first few months she would eat a meal then skip the next but she was still gaining weight so I wasn't worried. She did start feeding really well for a while there but now she just refuses to eat anything. The last time she ate was late September. I wasn't overly concerned as it's winter, she's always been a bit picky and her weight was steady but now she's started to lose a little weight and she's not as "full" as she used to be.
I've seen her hunting about and she shows some interest when I offer her food but once she's had a good sniff she just loses that interest. I've offered her different sizes of mice in case fuzzies were intimidating her, I've tried covering her up in her viv with the food and left it over night, I've tried putting her in a smaller container with her food (also covering it up), I've tried warming it up, washing it, scenting it with hamster bedding... :headbang:
I'm starting to get a bit anxious to say the least...

Any tips, ideas or advice is much welcome!!

 

[wstphal]

How big is she? Could she take rat pinks or hamster pinks or something like that?

 

[jlindp]

I think at this point I'd start considering a vet visit. Have you checked inside her mouth to check for an infection or mouth rot? That could potentially be the culprit. Or she could have some kind of intestinal bug. I'd personally take her to a herp vet if possible, though.

 

[Stygian Faerie]

I think she's about 2ft long (bit hard to measure!)
I've wanted to try rat pups for a while, she used to eat them but I've been struggling to get hold of them when ever I've done a food run.
Her mouth is fine, I've been keeping an eye on that just in case.
I was thinking of going down the vet route but thought I'd make a post incase I was leaving something stupid out.
I'll give the shop a call tomorrow and see if they have any rat in yet.
Also, she's very lethargic these days, could that be a sign of anything internal going on?
Thanks.

 

[wstphal]

I think she's about 2ft long (bit hard to measure!)
I've wanted to try rat pups for a while, she used to eat them but I've been struggling to get hold of them when ever I've done a food run.
Her mouth is fine, I've been keeping an eye on that just in case.
I was thinking of going down the vet route but thought I'd make a post incase I was leaving something stupid out.
I'll give the shop a call tomorrow and see if they have any rat in yet.
Also, she's very lethargic these days, could that be a sign of anything internal going on?
Thanks.

I guess you could check the temps etc. It's winter, after all. Humidity? Weights? I am just a noobie so this is mostly derived from reading Kathy Love's book & Don Soderberg's book. But yeah, if nobody experienced here can suggest anything, it's vet time. I work in human health care & lethargic ain't good in humans, so it gets me concerned for your snake needing to see a herp knowledgeable vet.

 

[Stygian Faerie]

Well she ate last night (typical!)
Only a small pinkie but it's a start, I'll try her on another one in a few days and see if she takes it but I think a check up at the vet would still be a good idea, just in case.
Thanks for the replies

 

[wstphal]

Good news, but keep a close eye on her, and yeah, a vet visit might still be best.

 

[Nanci]

I've got a picky-*** lavender. She didn't used to be. I _have_ noticed, though, if she takes one mouse (right now she will only eat rat pinks) she'll keep going and going. So I'm feeding her four rat pinks at a time. You could try that next time you offer her a pink- if she takes it, maybe she'll go for more, or a fuzzy, or something!

 

[wstphal]

I've got a picky-*** lavender. She didn't used to be. I _have_ noticed, though, if she takes one mouse (right now she will only eat rat pinks) she'll keep going and going. So I'm feeding her four rat pinks at a time. You could try that next time you offer her a pink- if she takes it, maybe she'll go for more, or a fuzzy, or something!

Kathy Love mentions this in her book. Something about they go into a feeding frenzy & will take multiple food items if those are offered.

 

[Teddy Roosevelt]

Good to hear you got some food in this girl! Do any pet shops in your area sell anoles or another small lizard? You could try feeding her mice scented with a lizard next time she goes off food, that has been known to make a world of difference in picky eaters. Also in defense of the breeder, it may be she did eat fantastic for them, but after a car ride home with you changed. It's been known to happen in the reverse before, with breeders selling picky or non eaters only to have them eat perfectly once at a new home.

 

[Stygian Faerie]

I've got a picky-*** lavender.

I wonder if it's a lavender thing. All my other snakes are mad for their food, even my royal. The whole time I've had my lavender she's never struck for her food, she's just too gentle. Does yours strike feed?

Good to hear you got some food in this girl! Do any pet shops in your area sell anoles or another small lizard? You could try feeding her mice scented with a lizard next time she goes off food, that has been known to make a world of difference in picky eaters. Also in defense of the breeder, it may be she did eat fantastic for them, but after a car ride home with you changed. It's been known to happen in the reverse before, with breeders selling picky or non eaters only to have them eat perfectly once at a new home.

I do have a friend of a friend who owns some anoles, I could ask them if they'd mind. Never thought of that lol.

Yeah it was probably unfair of me to complain about the guy at the shop, it's just so frustrating and makes you feel better if you can blame someone. Even just a little