[Zoodulcis]

OK, so constipation may not be the problem, but until he poops we can’t be sure. When you say eyes glossed over, are you seeing something that seems to be clouding them from the inside, or a film that appears to be covering the outside. This could prove to be very diagnostic. A photo of his head would be helpful.

Did you get him from a pet source where he was in with lots of other frogs before you bought him?

[Zoodulcis]

I had to ask because Mushu is such a popular name. Since this is the end of the month and you just entered the contest, may I suggest that you repost a photo tomorrow so that you have all of September to get Critter Golds and increase your chances of winning?

[Zoodulcis]

That’s worrisome but not fatal, My first suggestion for you is to read all of the threads on this site where other folks have had the same problem with their pixie. I have answered those questions very fully for them and you may find the answers right there. However, if after you do that, and you still have questions about your pet’s behavior and well-being, don’t hesitate to post them and I will get back to you within 24 hours.

[Zoodulcis]

Gives new meaning to the phrase ‘bed and breakfast.’ A real cutey. Have we seen him here on the Critter contest before?

[Zoodulcis]

He is really stunning!! How long have you had him?

[Zoodulcis]

No problem!! I would like to know whether he starts eating today, and if not, what the vet says is the likely cause.

[Zoodulcis]

Sounds to me like his habitat isn’t warm enough and he is only comfortable right under the heat source. Do you have a thermometer that allows you to sample the temperatures in various places in his enclosure? A digital laser thermometer will identify cold spots that would be unpleasant for him. Until you know for a fact that there is nowhere cooler than 78 degrees F in his enclosure, I would just let him stay where he is and not try to manually relocate him. Does he seem to be normal in every other way? Eating well and staying hydrated?

[Zoodulcis]

Are you guys lockdown buddies to help keep the kiddos entertained?

[Zoodulcis]

As I suspected, so virtually no chance of parasites. In that case, I think it may be digestion. After surveying some other forums, I noticed that other keepers have had trouble feeding fuzzies. The problems went away when they returned to feeding pinkies. The consensus seemed to be that since these snakes evolved eating hairless prey such as amphibians and small lizards, that hair is really troublesome for them. Yet some owners reported no problems. It seems to be very individual. But hair is exceedingly hard for animals to digest, which is why cats and owls barf it back up. I do not have any further suggestions other than a vet check, and offering only pinkies to see if you can get him to take those. However, if he has a hairball he may not feel like eating. Snakes can vomit up a hairball, but you would know because the smell would make you want to vomit. But they can also, eventually, eliminate the hair a little at a time in feces mixed with more solid matter. Occasionally, one may even eliminate one solid hairball that is only that and no regular excrement at all.

Given what you have described, my guess is that he has retained hair internally. I do not know what course of treatment a vet would prescribe for this to ease the substance through the digestive system and out the back end. If he doesn’t eat in the next 30 days, you may have to take him to the vet to see if there is some sort of safe oil or other lubricant that can be used in this instance.

[Zoodulcis]

He does seem to have a ‘king of the patio’ attitude. How long have you had him?

[Zoodulcis]

Oh of course! I am so glad that I am a senior citizen with a fully grown daughter. These are such challenging times I’m sure how well I would have coped!

[Zoodulcis]

Oh wow, I really want to see this dude. But the picture didn’t load so please try again. How many crickets does Jeffrey eat at each feeding session?

[Zoodulcis]

Now that’s what I call free range. If you are interested in entering the cricket contest, we will need a photo featuring the pet as the main subject, rather than the habitat. If you wish you can post another one anytime you like.

[Zoodulcis]

Very cool. What did the other students think of their new tiny classmate?

[Zoodulcis]

Being active is an excellent sign! May I assume that your snake was not wild-caught originally and that you have never fed wild-caught amphibians?

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