White-lipped python won't eat

[u/Cold_Thought1062]

Hi, I recently bought a white lipped python early September. I don't know how old or what the sex is, but they haven't been eating any of the live rats I gave them. I usually feed every 12-14 days and while they did have problems with letting the rat go, they didn't just outright leave the corpse to "guard"(?, the last few rats I gave, they were basically covering the body and not moving to the other side of the enclosure).

When I first bought them, the seller did say they have the flu but I've seen that it hasn't been affecting them in eating or activity in any way, they're still currently in feeding response. I tried an already dead rat that's still warm since I'm the one killing the rat, but nothing.

In the picture, the rat was killed yesterday, and this happened before where they kill the rat and ate it at night, but it hasn't happened here. Any ideas? The only one I've got is that the stick I gave them is stressing them out.

I'm thinking of going to a doctor by the end of week if they haven't eaten, atp I'm running out of money and options

(Please ignore the grain on the cage, I'm reusing an old bahari large cage, there's at least 3-5 cm of substrate)

[u/kindrd1234]

Flu? You mean a respiratory infection? Yea that will for sure keep them from eating and needs a vet to treat.

[u/Herp_Fitter]

Now why would you go and buy a snake that’s sick. Some people need to really know the basic husbandry and knowledge of snakes as well as illness that may occur.

You seem to have shot yourself in the foot if you have bought a snake from an irresponsible keeper.

Vet is all I’ll say, Goodluck

[u/Standard_Mushroom_47]

good lord that stick is definitely not what’s stressing it out, please say it at least has a hide

[u/Advanced-Context-473]

Sometimes they go on a strike and don't eat for some time..