Stimulating the appetite of a picky eater

[d_virginiana]

If possible, save his next bowel movement and get a fecal float done; they are usually quite cheap and can rule out some potential issues that could cause weight loss like parasites. Just save the next poo you see in a moist paper towel and take it to the vet (you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to a day before taking it in).

[Qwerty3159]

His behavior is normal, the only thing out of the ordinary was that he was extremely active when I tool him out of brumation but I assumed that to be normal since in the wild they come out in a frenzy of activity. The weight loss doesn't seem too excessive and to me he just looks like he hasn't been eating much in a long time. It's certainly not a weight I want him at and I want to fill him out but I wouldn't go so far as to call it excessive.
His breathing and tongue flicking is fine, he's alert and responsive and does investigate some of the food items k offer him but he usually doesn't eat them. Occasionally when he's excited he makes a very, very faint clicking noose but I browsed this forum with keywords like "clicking" and found that it was a normal noise.
The cage is a 20 gallon long. 4 hides of varying sizes, two on the warm end, a paper towel tube in the center, and one on the cool end. He has aspen bedding and the temperature is about 90 directly under the bulb and it gets a bit cooler to roughly 86 or so in the general basking area. I see him basking in the hottest part somewhat often. The cage is more than long enough for him to move away if it's too warm and I verify the surface temperature with an infrared gun. If it matters at all his last shed was perfect and a month ago.

I'll be sure to save his next stool.

[Albert Clark]

Well thanks for that update and i think joey and lora both have good points. I am not going to pummel you with alot of questions at this point bc its all relative anyway. The definitive diagnosis will be up to the higher minds of science in the exotic vet. I don't want to speculate but i do wish you well with whatever decision you make. Also hope the checkered has a clean bill of health.

[Qwerty3159]

He ate a small pinky today.
I guess that's something. Tomorrow I'll get some more minnows maybe he'll like that. I'll try getting him to a vet by the end of the week.

[guidofatherof5]

If minnows are on the menu then I'd be concerned about a possible parasite infection which might explain the eating troubles. Just an idea.

[Albert Clark]

Q, it's always better to feed guppies over minnows. Especially feeding minnows over a regular period is risky. Better to use them as scenting tools rather than a direct feed. Hey, if he took a small pinky I would roll with that for now. Forget the minnows.

[Qwerty3159]

He's never eaten any live fish in my care. I've just been led to believe that live fish are more appealing and may invite a feeding response. I'd love to give him guppies or another safe fish but they don't sell them anywhere around here.
I agree though, it's better to play it safe especially since he's probably not going to eat them anyways

[Albert Clark]

He's never eaten any live fish in my care. I've just been led to believe that live fish are more appealing and may invite a feeding response. I'd love to give him guppies or another safe fish but they don't sell them anywhere around here.
I agree though, it's better to play it safe especially since he's probably not going to eat them anyways

Gotcha! I see. Yeah.

[joeysgreen]

Why are guppies always better than minnows? Minnows are more likely to be on the natural palate.

[Albert Clark]

Why are guppies always better than minnows? Minnows are more likely to be on the natural palate.

Live fish are always a risk to feed, and bc of the parasitic loads in minnows they are frowned upon as feeding option. Guppies are safer , especially ones that are captive bred. In most big box stores, minnows are overcrowded into tanks and live under very stressful conditions. Thus increasing their chances of being immunocompromised and prone to disease. Minnows are listed as one of the thiaminase containing fish which over time destroys vitamin B1 in reptiles. Same thing for goldfish, which are described as "junk food" and more of a threat to the reptiles health than minnows.