| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Lorraine |
Posted - 22/08/2012 : 21:35:11
Should I be worried yet?
He weighed in on 24th June at 803gms and when empty on 6th August he was 907, which I thought was rather a large gain.
He hasn't eaten since 27th July though which is so unlike him and this evening he weighed 879 gms. So, if my 907gms was correct he's lost 28gms.
Nothing has changed in his environment and his behaviour hasn't changed (apart from his appetite), he still comes out every evening for a mooch and he still handles well.
I've looked him over thoroughly and listened to him carefully but can't find or hear anything untoward.
He didn't fast last year, but surely it's too early to be fasting now? |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Lorraine |
Posted - 10/09/2012 : 21:17:44
Well, he's not injured so I guess he's OK then. Thanks guys. |
| acd1984 |
Posted - 10/09/2012 : 16:04:17
Iv noticed a recurring theme that when they reach about a year old and 800-900 grams thats when they start to be awkward with food.
both my oldest royals weigh about the same but one is really skinny and the other looks nice and fat and its due to length.
one of mine seems to be back on fast just a couple of months after starting to eat but its no cause for concern |
| reptilemadd |
Posted - 10/09/2012 : 14:38:56
They can shed when they are not growing but usually only when they have some sort of injury, but the chances are he's shedding cause he's grown they can still grow in length even if not eating regularly they just don't grow in girth. |
| Lorraine |
Posted - 10/09/2012 : 11:40:15
Ok, I'm more confused now. If a snake isn't eating, how can they put on weight and shed??? Oscar still hasn't eaten and this morning I cleaned his viv out and weighed him again. He seems to have put on a couple of grams. I was worried about him last night as it looked like he had a dent in his eye, but when I got him out this morning into proper light to have a look, I'm pretty sure he's going to shed.
Do they shed when they're not actually growing?? |
| Kelfezond |
Posted - 23/08/2012 : 20:46:48
Jeeze, you need a freezer and start buying bulk online I think, lol. |
| Lorraine |
Posted - 23/08/2012 : 20:45:53
Thanks guys. 
Yep, £2.50 is a lot for a rat but that's what my pet shop sells them at and I tend to think that a tenner a month isn't that much to feed your pet, lol. It's when I think of the individual price it gets me!!!
Will try him later with one that's defrosted and if he doesn't eat it, I'll leave him for another week or so. He's usually fed every 10 days.
9 months!!!! Jeez Lincsfox, I'd have been panicking, lol.
I feel less worried now, especially seeing as Duke is fasting already. I thought it was way too early but...well, I've learnt something else. |
| Lincsfox |
Posted - 23/08/2012 : 17:38:22
Lorraine, I've just got my pastel to take a mouse fluff after not eating for 9 months, it's a worry I know but I'd say that until they lose 10% of their body weight there is absolutely no need to worry. Like bob says, leave him for a few weeks, but I would weigh him every week. |
| badwool |
Posted - 23/08/2012 : 17:35:55
that IS a lot for a rat - does it defrost itself? |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 23/08/2012 : 13:03:36
My Duke is fasting already this year, I've moved him to monthly feeding attempts, it wont do him any harm, he barely lost anything last year so shouldn't be much different this year. I dont intend to increase attempts until January save myself some dough. |
| Kelfezond |
Posted - 23/08/2012 : 12:28:33
Jesus that's a lot for a rat. And at his weight I'd try him every 7 days or so. |
| Lorraine |
Posted - 23/08/2012 : 11:59:03
Thanks Kelf. When do you think I should try him again? Obviously I want to do right by him, but at £2.50 a rat...well, I can't be throwing money away either. |
| Kelfezond |
Posted - 22/08/2012 : 21:38:56
Never too early for a royal to fast, I get random fasts all year around they're not just mating specific. But no that sounds completely fine to me :) |
