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Q:
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Jungle corn loosing weight- thoughts?
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I have a male jungle corn that I've had since 2007. He's been a sporadic feeder since purchase and has been on feed strikes every now and then, the longest of which was from February to July of 2009 (I think-- was not using iHerp back then). I also did not have a scale then to take weights, but he didn't seem to lose condition much just by visual assessment.
At this point, he has not fed since June and has dropped a lot of weight: from 384 grams on May 1st to 299 grams tonight. I took the weight tonight because he was starting to look thin to me when I offered food today. He did strike at the food this time, but would not take it afterwards.
I'll arrange a vet appointment this week seeing as how the weight loss has been so dramatic, but I wasn't really concerned until now because of his history of going on feed strikes and then bouncing back and feeding great. I figured this was just another one of his strikes, but the weight loss is worrisome.
Temps seem ideal for corns... 80* on top of the aspen, with mid-80's at the bottom. Cool side is in the mid-70's.
I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts. Tara asked me how old he is and I really don't know... the local reptile guy told me he was "about a year old" when I bought him in December 2007, but I don't know if he actually knew that for sure. He doesn't seem to keep the best records.
Here is his tracking info on iHerp. I do not mark refusals, but he has been offered a f/t pup every 10 days or so since June. I didn't want to bother him into not feeding by offering more frequently.
http://www.iherp.com/HerpTrack/Track...AnimalID=15305
No one else in his rack is having issus-- indeed, none of our other snakes are off feed at all at this point. He shed in July. Hasn't pooped recently because he hasn't eaten, but there was nothing worth noting about his last poop or I'd have put it into the iHerp tracking.
If anyone has any thoughts, I'd love to hear them. I will make his vet appointment on Wednesday when I take the tortoise in for her follow up. I really hope I can get this turned around, as he is one of my very favorite snakes.
The tort, incidentally, has responded VERY well to the Baytril and Panacur and has gained 4 grams since the medication kicked in. We're psyched-- hopefully she has now rounded the corner and will start GROWING.
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Accepted Answer
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8/31/2010 12:51:40 AM
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shellboa
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My thought is that I'm glad you have an appt witht he vet becuase if it isn't a parasite issue then he probably needs some kind of meds. Even as clean as we keep our pets they can pick up a virus from feeders feces or a stray fly in the water dish or who knows. Reptiles experience some of the same types of medical issues as mammals. Allergies, organ failure, cancer, above average sensitivity to viral infections, suppressed immune systems, and so on. I hope your guy makes a turn around and gets back to top shape, good luck.
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Member Comment
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8/31/2010 1:33:32 AM
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FyreFocks
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Try something other than rats. And try kicking the temps into the upper 80s.
The vet, if reputable, should ask for a fecal. I suggest force feeding him something small so you can get some kind of sample to test for parasite load.
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Member Comment
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9/1/2010 9:37:09 AM
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kim
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At the vet visist ask about ,Flagyl (metronidazole) it acts as an appetite stimulant in reptiles. Like every other med use caution because in high doses there can be neuro side effects.
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Member Comment
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9/1/2010 2:57:56 PM
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bone_crusher504
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here is what you do when he goes off feed either feed a gerbil or soak a rat pup in chicken broth the string smell should entice the feeding response dramatically!!!!
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Member Comment
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9/25/2010 7:52:14 AM
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Cryptic Carpets
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Rat pups? That's pretty small for a snake that is 3 or 4 years old. Carpets can handle large meals and if the meal isn't making a noticeable lump, then its time to upgrade. My 3 and 4 year old carpets are taking large and jumbo rats.
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Member Comment
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9/25/2010 8:50:19 AM
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Member Comment
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9/25/2010 5:31:10 PM
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Cryptic Carpets
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Oops! I should stop getting on the internet when I'm half asleep! lol
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