Non feeder

[dober-girl]

Bit of advise needed please folks.
I've got a problem royal, but this is not a how can I make it eat thread. I know all the tricks.

Basically I brought him after 3 feeds from a breeder, he's taken one rat pup from me so far but nothing since.

He's a late april hatchling, weighed in at 70g when I brought him home, dropped to 67g, and is now 65g. Since being with me he's not crapped, not too worried about that yet.

I've tried a few of the standard non-feeder methods with no joy yet but still have a few tricks up my sleeve.

At the moment I'm not too worried about his weight as the four meals he has had should see him through for a bit longer.

So at what point would you recommend I start looking at more serious methods? If an adult can go several months without eating, how long is it safe for a hatchling to go?

Also he's not shed since I've had him, over a month which seems a bit wierd.

[dober-girl]

Forgot to mention my set up since everyone always asks.

9lt rub, hide each end, newspaper, big water bowl (have seen him drink so not dehydrated), hot end about 31 - cool end about 22, night time temp drop to 29.

[angela__k__84]

He won't have shed because he is not eating and therefore not growing.
He is losing weight so I think it may be time to look at other options. Many adults can go months - without losing a drastic amount of body weight but he has lost nearly 10% of his in, what, a month.
If you could document what you have tried - and what you would be willing to try it'll be a bit easier for people to help. There's no point making suggestions until we know what's already been done.
Also if you could quickly describe your set up that would be brilliant.

[mask-of-sanity]

a hot end of 31c is only 87 f ......so bit low for a royal...up the temp to around 92f so 33c............give a week at the higher temp and see what happens, also i wouldnt bother with a night time drop

[dober-girl]

See second post for set up.

Yeah I thought as much with the shedding.

I'm not 100% sure on the original weight, as mentioned he's not crapped and based on the breeders record sheet that came with him he'd only eat 3 days ago so unfortunatly I doubt my weights are accurate.

I've tried braining, leaving over night, gerbil, chick, scenting, mice, rats etc.

I'm leaving him a week before attempts - without handling, am going to try the taking him for a drive trick later in the week etc.

I will force/assist feed if needed and live is not an issue if it comes to it.

[mask-of-sanity]

Originally Posted by dober-girl

See second post for set up.

Yeah I thought as much with the shedding.

I'm not 100% sure on the original weight, as mentioned he's not crapped and based on the breeders record sheet that came with him he'd only eat 3 days ago so unfortunatly I doubt my weights are accurate.

I've tried braining, leaving over night, gerbil, chick, scenting, mice, rats etc.

I'm leaving him a week before attempts - without handling, am going to try the taking him for a drive trick later in the week etc.

I will force/assist feed if needed and live is not an issue if it comes to it.

have you ever force/assist fed before ?........what was the breeder feeding him ........get temps right first then try a very warm rat pup or whatever the breeder was feeing him....dip rat pup head in boiling water for a few seconds before offering

[dober-girl]

Originally Posted by mask-of-sanity

have you ever force/assist fed before ?........what was the breeder feeding him ........get temps right first then try a very warm rat pup or whatever the breeder was feeing him....dip rat pup head in boiling water for a few seconds before offering

I've used pinkie pumps before, but have a very good shop near me who I'm sure would do a few if needed.

Breeder had him on mice, but he's taken a rat pup from me so I've tried both recently.

[midori]

With a royal that size, I would probably try live before assist feeding, and I probably wouldn't try force feeding at all.

Fill his tub with screwed up paper so it is totally packed out, cover it over, and leave him. But yes, ambients are a bit low if the cool end is only 22, I would be looking at 25 plus cool end and my warm end is between 91 and 95 (I have a rack, and the top shelves are warmer) whatever that is in C.

Also, is his tub kept somewhere quiet?

I have found with baby non feeding royals, set up is all important.

[mask-of-sanity]

Originally Posted by dober-girl

I've used pinkie pumps before, but have a very good shop near me who I'm sure would do a few if needed.

Breeder had him on mice, but he's taken a rat pup from me so I've tried both recently.

stick to mice then ...and i wouldnt use a pinky pump on a royal tbh ....what size mice have you offered ? and how warm are you making it