Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Eddie · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:07 am Post subject: Bosc gone off his food

I have had a couple of Boscs for over a year now. Over the last few weeks the larger of the two has become increasingly fussy about his food, turning head away from rats and chicks that he would normally be chasing after. However he would eat the odd mouse and locusts.

This week he has gone of all food types. He doesn't appear to have lost any weight although he isn't as active as normal. Temps have not changed.

Will make an appointment with the vet tomorrow, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas.

Cheers

GJ · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:00 pm Post subject:

Are you sure it a male? My female stopped eating for 2 weeks last year because she was gravid, her appetite gradually decline before hand.

You could try it with some chicken breast or turkey mince supplemented with a good multivit.

A more detailed description of your viv and a photo would be of more help.

thomas mcpherson · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 27 Aug 2006 Posts: 613

never herd of a bosc going off its food before

big_boids_uk · Key Member Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 307 Location: London

Mine has a spell in winter where his appetite decreases. He still eats at least once a week. Once the summer comes around hes right as rian and easts more than ever. Tank is on a thermostat dimming setup so im guessing its a built in thing? Every year for 6 - 7 years its happened.
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Eddie · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the feedback. We took him to a specialist exotics vet on Monday who could find nothing wrong with him. The vet has suggested that we monitor his weight every two days and give him regular baths to ensure that he does not dehydrate and return in two weeks. He suggested the next step is blood tests! I have put below the details that we gave to the vet. Any ideas welcome as we are all a bit stumped.

We have owned Oscar for one year, good temperament, inquisitive, frequently comes out of his vivarium to explore and has a good appetite eating anything offered (rats, mice, chicks, locusts).

In previous weeks has been showing what we think is his hemipenis, which he has not done before.

Week starting 26/03/07

•Enjoyed a bath, defecated in water, once back in vivarium urgently defecated again and repeatedly showed what we believe is his hemipenis.

•Became a fussy eater, refusing chicks by closing his eyes and turning his head away.

•Appeared quiet and out of character.

•Powersun lamp failed, so vivarium was only heated by infrared light. However the other smaller bosc was fine.

01/04/2007-14/0407

On holiday, pet shop said he ate a few locusts and may have eaten other things but were unsure

Week starting 16/04/07

•Would not leave vivarium and was lethargic. Powersun replaced.

•17/04/07 – Believe he ate a rat, but not confirmed

•20/04/07 – Gave Oscar a bath, he seemed to be more normal, defecated in bath. After sometime he reluctantly ate a medium mouse

•Since the 20/04/07 Oscar has refused all food and appears to have lost some weight. Oscar is continuing to move around the vivarium to regulate his temperature.

Housing

Weight 20/04 3.85 kg
Temperature cool end: ~31 °C
Basking temperature: ~41 °C
Lighting 100W Powersun and Infrared basking spot.

Rick_Albig · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:42 pm Post subject:

Are the temperatures air temps? If so they seem a little high. You should be aiming in the region of 28C air temp cool side to to around 35C at the hot end with a SURFACE basking temp of 58-60C or so.

As long as he has not lost any real weight i would not worry too much.

Keep us updated on his progress.

Rick

christophermchale · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 12:09 am Post subject:

if you have had an animal for a year you would know if it were sick or something to that effect. one thing ive found with monitors that they are voracious eaters. sometimes the go off feed because of stress, low temps, numerous other things. but they always seem to come back with little to no problem. persistence is the key. keep trying and sooner or later it will come around.
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DeanThorpe · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 10:14 am Post subject:

When you say..believe he ate a rat but not confirmed.... umn.. did u let him out down the back alley or something? or is he prone to flinging food into small gaps and unnoticeable areas?
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Beardies
Rankins
Bosc
Eyed Lizard
Leo's
Tokay's
Cresties
Garg
Berber skinks
Ocltd Skinks
Uro acanthinurus
Fiji Iguana's
oplurus cyclurus+Cuvieri
Collard's
Long Tailed Lizards
Dwarf Sungazers
Water dragon
Corn's
Royal

Eddie · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 6:13 pm Post subject:

No I mean the other Bosc may have eaten it as I did not stay up all night to watch him.

DeanThorpe · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 3:46 pm Post subject:

oh ok sorry.
Could one bosc be scaring the second into not eating?

Is he eating again now?
_________________
Beardies
Rankins
Bosc
Eyed Lizard
Leo's
Tokay's
Cresties
Garg
Berber skinks
Ocltd Skinks
Uro acanthinurus
Fiji Iguana's
oplurus cyclurus+Cuvieri
Collard's
Long Tailed Lizards
Dwarf Sungazers
Water dragon
Corn's
Royal