Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How long can a 2yr old male go without eating?It's been a month now and he still refuses to eat.It's almost like he's scared.He'll go as far as hiding his head underneath him when I try ro feed.I took him to the vet yesterday and the vet said he was bloated and gassy.You could actually hear the gas as he ran his thumb down the stomach.Ny vet says it's usually caused by protozoa.He treated my gtp and I have to now treat him every 3 days for 3 weeks.Does this sound common?Back in march he went off feed for about 3 weeks and was told this was common for a maturing male,but he soon went back on feed.Anyhow,I moved his enclosure to the top of my snakeroom where the temp is about 88-89 degrees.Hopefully this will perk him up a bit.I'm gonna try feeding him at night..he seems more active then.Any comments will be appreciated.Wish me luck!!
Mike

If it doesn't want to eat, just keep offering, but don't sweat it. They can go for months when they stop feeding. Nothing wrong with having him checked for parasites to rule that out but a month is nothing to be concerned about. As long as it isn't losing too much weight, I wouldn't get concerned until around month 4 or 5.

Bart

Did your vet actually check for the protazoa, or was it just an assumption? Are you feeding frozen thawed or live? Is there anything you've changed about his environment lately?

One month is nothing to worry about. Actually 5 months isn't much to worry about if it's a healthy animal. I've had males go as long as eight months with very little effect.

And you might want to lower your temps. That may cause him to not want food. Most chondros choose temps of 82-86 at the highest. If you are keeping him at 88-89 make sure you are giving him a cool spot as well.

Good luck.
Bradon Osborne
Brandon Osborne Reptiles

You might want to have him x-rayed to see if there's a reason for the gassy bloating. It will show gas patterns as well as obstruction on film.
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4.5~Cornsnakes
2.3.1~Green tree python
1.0~ATB
Dogs, cats, horses....
www.franclycac.com

Thanx for all the reply's guys!!!I'm feeding him F/T which I always get from Rodent Pro.My vet didn't check for protozoa,it was just an assumption...don't know what led him to believe that.But I have done nothing to change his enviornment.I will also lower his temps a bit.Would any of you try a live mouse?especially since it may be hard to get him back to f/t if he decides he likes live better.
Thanx again,
Mike

I'd work on the f/t if you can, but if all else fails, you can try live. Sometimes they will just decide that they don't want frozen anymore. Make sure when you offer the f/t that it is very hot. They feed using thermoreception and if the mouse appears too cool, they may not go for it. I've found improved responses, even in my good feeders, when the mouse is very warm.
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4.5~Cornsnakes
2.3.1~Green tree python
1.0~ATB
Dogs, cats, horses....
www.franclycac.com

I will definatly do that..THANX MEG!!!! and everyone else who replied.
Mike