Another Feeding Issue Post: Overdue Shed

[Stargazer735]

Hello, all!

I have a blue-eyed lucy who is coming up on 2 years old and I've had him since the summer of '14. Overall, he's been doing quite well. He has a curious personality and he has never attempted to bite anything other than his food.

But with that said, I've been having some problems feeding him lately. He's been on frozen-thawed for well over a year now and I feed him once a week. The only times he has ever given me a problem feeding is when he is ready to shed, which seems to happen regularly every 5 weeks or so. This time around, he's overdue for a shed by about 4-5 weeks and hasn't eaten for the same period.

If it's of any value, he does seem interested in his food. He'll come up to it, give it a good smell, but not do anything about it. It's the same behavior when I try feeding during any normal shed cycle.

I've watched the feeding posts here and for every time he hasn't eaten, I've did what seems common and held off until the next day of his feeding cycle (a week later.) This usually does the trick in between sheds, but this time around, he just isn't shedding at all. I have a feeling that this is directly related to his lack of appetite. The only other action I've taken is boosting his humidty levels during this extended shed period.

He doesn't look abnormally skinny and he isn't exhibiting any abnormal behavior, but this is the longest time he has ever gone without feeding. I'm starting to get concerned and I'm considering taking him to the vet this coming weekend if he doesn't shed.

I'm sure some of you have had this happen before. Any thoughts? Am I doing anything wrong? Do I need to take him to the vet earlier?

Thanks in advance!

[M.P.C]

Theres is no time frame for shedding, it happens when it needs to, regardless how many times they shed in the same time frame that can change instantly, just keep the humidity proper and your snake will shed when its time.

How long has it been since he last ate and are you weighing him to track weight loss?

[Stargazer735]

Thanks for responding, M.P.C.

Unfortunately, no, I hadn't thought to weigh him and track the weight loss. I'll start doing that.

As for time, it's been about 4-5 weeks.

[Smitty33]

Welcome to the club. My male about the same age and he's going through exact same behavior. From the amount of talk about it I'd say it's very normal. Mines about 8 weeks since last f/t rat but he looks good, acts normal and hasn't lost much weight. I bumped to offering every 2 weeks so as not to waste as many rats. I bet by mid-March or early April they'll be back to slamming.

[Stargazer735]

Thanks, Smitty33. That's a bit of a relief.

Not that this constitutes a thorough analysis by any means, but I haven't noticed any changes to his physique. He seems just as plump as he did the week after his last meal.

[Smitty33]

Thanks, Smitty33. That's a bit of a relief.

Not that this constitutes a thorough analysis by any means, but I haven't noticed any changes to his physique. He seems just as plump as he did the week after his last meal.

Yep exact same thing here. Walter looks nice and plump, hides in his hides while switching from warm side to cool side and makes his nightly cruises around the cage. He used to come out more at night when it got close to feeding day looking for a rodent but I think now his nightly escapades are more looking for a girl friend.

[JodanOrNoDan]

It is "that" time of the year and at two he is probably mature and looking for love.

[Stargazer735]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. You may be onto something, JodanOrNoDan.

As an update, he recently defecated (feces looked normal, no odd coloration or change in texture.)

I just tried feeding him again. Nothing. I was hoping the aforementioned defecation would 'free up some room' and induce an appetite. I'm going to leave the food in his tank overnight again to see if he'll take it (he has done that in the past.)

He's still looking fine and does the same thing as Smitty33's Walter. No abnormal behavior whatsoever, hides in his hide and cruises around the tank in the evening and at night.

I'll post updates as they come along. Thank you again, everyone, for the support.

[Stargazer735]

So, after another couple failed feeding attempts, I decided I would take Sebastian to the vet. If nothing else, he was due for an annual check-up.

He was examined, weighed (1,280 grams) and x-rayed. Everything came back clear and he appears to be doing just fine, despite not having eaten for quite some time.

I've been told to touch base in 4 weeks.

I'll post any other updates.

[jxl]

They go off feeding in breading season. Last year one of mine hadn't eaten for almost 8 months. In late spring he started to eat again till end of autumn. Now he's on strike again for 3 months. Till they lose too much weight it's nothing to worry.

Shedding is not something one can schedule. They shed when they need to and older they are less they shed afaik.