Hello Kelly:
I wrote you 2 weeks ago re:my 2.5 year old male green I bought from you who is had not eaten for 8 weeks (born 11/18/03). You mentioned the maturity issue and that may be one reason (other is new cage). He has refused F/T weaned rats since. He shed last week and still did not want to eat. I have very good caging conditions ( I have raised 3 yellows well).
I will try a mouse today. Question: how long can he go on without serious health issues? It has been 10 weeks. He is stressed but does not bite when handled. He is sweet. He has 2 hide boxes to use and he does.
Thanks Again Kelly!
Tom
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Kelly Haller: Male still not eating
tdobrov
May 20, 2006 03:19 PM
Replies (4)
tdobrov
May 21, 2006 01:54 PM
He refused the mouse too.
Not sure what is next. I am now afraid that he may perish.
Tom
Kelly_Haller
May 21, 2006 11:51 PM
Tom,
I would not be overly concerned at this point. If he was in good shape when he went off feed 10 weeks ago, he could easily go for several more months with no problem. I have seen greens in average condition go 6 months without feeding and show very little weight loss or health issues. Keep trying what he has been eating every 10 days or so. If he goes another month or two, you might try to jump start him with a chick, or other type of bird. Keep us updated on how it is going.
Kelly
tdobrov
May 22, 2006 01:01 PM
Thank You Kelly!
He finally ate today with the box trick (F/Trat snake in box overnight placed inside his cage)!!
Have you heard of this before? I learned it from the staff at
East Bay Vivarium in Berkely, Ca ( I live in the Bay Area).
This is the first time I have encountered refractory anorexia for such an extended time.
I have raised retics, burms, 3 yellows etc.
Greens are a challenge! I really love them and am so relieved at this point.
Thanks Again!
Tom
Kelly_Haller
May 22, 2006 11:37 PM
It is not overly unusual for males, and sometimes female greens, to go off feed for a few weeks out of the year. The causes can be variable, and sometimes unknown. It is usually males during the breeding season, but not always. They usually begin feeding again within a few weeks, but may sometimes go for a month or two, especially the males. However, not all greens exhibit this behavior as I have a few that have never gone off feed. Thanks,
Kelly
