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All my kids have "tails" too, so just like you, baby food wasn't routine, but I've used it for snakes for so long now (3 decades+)- actually the second snake I ever had was sickly so I had to learn fast...the vet (not experienced with snakes either) gave me a very brief instruction sheet & that was about it, lol.
You can probably google the amount of beta-carotene in Rep-Cal "Herptivite" and also the RDA (recommended daily allowance) of Vit A for cats (I'm not a cat person) and compare the amount likely to be in the cat food to what they put in Herptivite or Reptivite (a different brand). I only mentioned Vit A toxicity because the Herptivite
information did.
If he tolerates (digests) this meal, I'd do it again in a week, since this was a small amount...and assuming he doesn't seem any the worse for it. I hope the cat food works...cat food is very high in fat, which might be a digestive challenge? You're in
uncharted territory. How often I'd tube-feed depends on the individual situation.
I once had to tube-feed a baby speckled rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii) which is a
snake that eats lizards first, only later graduating to rodents in the wild; he resisted
fuzzy mice so I finally tube-fed him a few times, once a month, just enough to keep
him going but I also wanted him hungry. He finally decided mice were yummy. In
your case & from what you've described, I'd guess maybe feed this one about every 2 weeks (normal interval), & keep in mind you won't be feeding an amount equal to his regular meal, it will be smaller. Don't push it...especially see how he does with the
first cat food too. I've heard of ppl tube-feeding raw eggs, by the way...that might even be preferable to cat food? Your call. I'm wondering if the lethargy you are seeing isn't because of the lack of food but because his breathing is a challenge? That's another reason not to push the feeding too much. Hoping for the best...
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