bluey problem.big help guys

[NomadOfTheHills]

I like the cage a lot, try raising his basking spot, while lowering the bulb wattage.

[Drew]

the distance between the basking spot from the bulb is around 5inches. it used to be places right under with a 60bulb. and tmeps are 109+plus then..

tomorrow i will try 25w. and place the basking spot there again
thanks man!

[Lisa]

IMO, I don't think he looks too thin, and I think that he's just having some 'down time'.

Even though the temps don't vary greatly in between seasons where you live, bluetongues are an animal that it's built into them to stop eating and have a sleep at times of the year. Usually winter and sometimes at the height of summer.

And it can literally happen overnight. One day they're eating like champions and the next day they're totally not interested. It can be alarming, but it's normal. And it's also normal for blueys to be less active than more active.

Are you sure he's actually losing weight? If that's the case then you may have a problem because weight loss is a slow thing in a bluetongue and not generally very noticeable. If he's not, but just not eating and is sleeping more, and everything else is fine (clear eyes, nose, clear firm scales etc) then I think you just have a bluey who is wanting to have a break from life.
And your bluey has a very caring, but prone to panicking, parent
That's normal, too! It's been pointed out to me before, so you're in company. Whether you think that's a good thing or not ......

[Jenn]

He looks good to me. I would definetly recommend getting a small scale to weigh him on.

[Drew]

IMO, I don't think he looks too thin, and I think that he's just having some 'down time'.

Even though the temps don't vary greatly in between seasons where you live, bluetongues are an animal that it's built into them to stop eating and have a sleep at times of the year. Usually winter and sometimes at the height of summer.

And it can literally happen overnight. One day they're eating like champions and the next day they're totally not interested. It can be alarming, but it's normal. And it's also normal for blueys to be less active than more active.

Are you sure he's actually losing weight? If that's the case then you may have a problem because weight loss is a slow thing in a bluetongue and not generally very noticeable. If he's not, but just not eating and is sleeping more, and everything else is fine (clear eyes, nose, clear firm scales etc) then I think you just have a bluey who is wanting to have a break from life.
And your bluey has a very caring, but prone to panicking, parent
That's normal, too! It's been pointed out to me before, so you're in company. Whether you think that's a good thing or not ......

thanks Lisa.. like every parent there is always a first time... im really worried aobut his case and all.. well, his eyes are clear and nostrils have no discharge, and scales are firmer and lustrous as always..

well, he is not as plump compared if he has a full meal everyday.. going to the toilet is normal and regular. compared to that "plumpness" he looks thin, sleeping and hiding the whole day..

what i did this morning is i took them out to have some sun and still offered a variety of food.. this time making a slur, topping it with cat food and boiled chicken. water is always present.

its "BER" month and its a sign of the cooler months, i wonder if that has something to do with it..

sigh, how i wish he will eat soon... thanks so much lisa

[Lucifer_Spades]

IMO, you are worrying much too much. I personally think he looks like a nice healthy skinker and he definatly doesn't look too thin. He's no porker by any means but, I wouldn't worry unless he is taking no food at all for a much longer period, and as stated he may be setting up for brumation.

As for the testyness, it could be the brumation thing, or maybe you are not handleing him enough and some forced handeling might tame him down a bit.

I think that one problem I see a lot of on here is people panicking at the slightest thing. I understand vigilence, and caring for your pet but in my experience with all pets (including children and husbands) the more you worry and fret about them the more they give you to worry and fret about.
I take my pets to the vet (doctor) for their checkups and if they show signs of being sick. They get good food and care, and all of my pets are rarely if ever sick. I have never had a cat that lived to be less than 18 nor a dog that lived to be less than 10.

Worry less and enjoy them more I say.

[Drew]

well maybe worrying more than worrying..
thanks though.

[Leigh]

Thats a fine figure of a skink, you'll have to weigh and check to determine body mass, mine looks a different size every time I watch him move, their posture changes dramatically depending on what he's up to, climing/basking/hiding, I've also never seen Blue properly sun bath unless out side and even then I'm not sure he's not just having a rest.Try not to fret, dont feed him for four days,just water, then offer his favourite, if its still refused and the temps are there or there abouts, look to see if there's any blaitent reason for it. you say its cooling down ,so he maybe thinking of going into brumation, when do you consider it to be Autumn/winter there?

[Drew]

Thats a fine figure of a skink, you'll have to weigh and check to determine body mass, mine looks a different size every time I watch him move, their posture changes dramatically depending on what he's up to, climing/basking/hiding, I've also never seen Blue properly sun bath unless out side and even then I'm not sure he's not just having a rest.Try not to fret, dont feed him for four days,just water, then offer his favourite, if its still refused and the temps are there or there abouts, look to see if there's any blaitent reason for it. you say its cooling down ,so he maybe thinking of going into brumation, when do you consider it to be Autumn/winter there?

seasons here are just rain, summer and the colder months, which is going to December.
hehehe...

dont feed? as in no food at all?
what i did today is offer the food near his hide. i think he nibbled a little, but still staying under the paper, out of anyones sight.

thanks Leigh.

[Drew]

I kinda caught Boris this a.m. at around 3am beside his waterbowl, he looked so surprised when he saw me when i opened his cage to check him out he puffed and hissed at me.. i was surprised so i tried to pick him up, he gaped, more hissing..
i again tried he tried to move away and gapes again..

is this a normal thing? that bluey really have the moods?
is it because he is brumating? ( i really dnt know... )
just not in the mood? he is still a wild animal... ( got bitten by a 12 foot python that used to be my pet recently.. ouch! )
or was he just surprised? startled?
i handle him as often as i can everyday.

thanks guys

[SailleSkinklover]

Poor Boris,
He sounds grumpy!
Was he a Wild Caught guy? I know that Chuff has moods, he was a bit huffy and cranky yesterday. Our weather was fine, but last night we had thunderstorms which are rare around here. Maybe Chuff was picking up on the low air pressure moving in or something. When he's like that, I tend to talk gently to him, and move carefully so he's not threatened in any way. When he's burrowed and can't see me, I always talk to him before I start digging to find him, that way he knows I'm coming and that I'm not a threat. I am slow and gentle as I pull the towels off him, or unbury him. I think of it as waking someone up gently as opposed to startling them awake.
As for food, yeah, I think there's moods for that too. Chuff's doing the same thing, and I know our days are getting much shorter faster as we're so far North. I figured its just him keying in on the natural environment and his body clock.
Good luck with Boris, I do have to agree he's a gorgeous beautiful healthy shiny-looking skinker. Just be patient and gentle with him. Talk to him! Blueys are darned good listeners if given the chance.

[Drew]

Poor Boris,
He sounds grumpy!
Was he a Wild Caught guy? I know that Chuff has moods, he was a bit huffy and cranky yesterday. Our weather was fine, but last night we had thunderstorms which are rare around here. Maybe Chuff was picking up on the low air pressure moving in or something. When he's like that, I tend to talk gently to him, and move carefully so he's not threatened in any way. When he's burrowed and can't see me, I always talk to him before I start digging to find him, that way he knows I'm coming and that I'm not a threat. I am slow and gentle as I pull the towels off him, or unbury him. I think of it as waking someone up gently as opposed to startling them awake.
As for food, yeah, I think there's moods for that too. Chuff's doing the same thing, and I know our days are getting much shorter faster as we're so far North. I figured its just him keying in on the natural environment and his body clock.
Good luck with Boris, I do have to agree he's a gorgeous beautiful healthy shiny-looking skinker. Just be patient and gentle with him. Talk to him! Blueys are darned good listeners if given the chance.

love the reply... thanks!
well, Boris is a CB. ( well, thats what the breeder told me, saw the parents and all..)
had him when he was about 2-3mos old.
i guess he is juts not in the mood, startled him.. thanks again!
*yesi hope he chomps again....

[Leigh]

Perhaps he just likes to party on the night when your not looking, and got *prissy because you caught him out heehee

[Drew]

Perhaps he just likes to party on the night when your not looking, and got *prissy because you caught him out heehee

i guess i have to understand "teenagers" more!!

[Drew]

a Bit of a good news

while i see boris spending alot of time inside his humidity box, sleeping all day and being grumpy and all there were some occasions that i see him outside roaming..

i kept offering food only skipping two days or a day..
the other night i saw him outside by the food dish.. i wonder if he is eating.. i left him alone and when i got his food dish the next morning to clean it, it looks like it has been "eaten" on..
hmm could it be that Boris has been eating again? i dont wana conclude until i get answers..

so the next morning of that i skipped his meal. Today prepared papaya and dog food slushed topped with boiled beef and chicken..and alas!!! When i walked inside the room i saw him chomping on some chicken..it wasnt much but atleast he is eating again!
i dont know it this will continue or will it be a regualar thing again.
I am hoping it would be and he would soon becme a great chomper.
im so happy to see him eat.

THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE FOR THE SUPPORT, FOR ALL THE REPLIES WHEN IM DEAD WORRYING ABOUT THIS GUY!!!!

WAHOO!!!
i will continue to hope that he eats well and begins to chomp!!!
again THANK YOU everyone.

[Tattoo]

Glad to hear Boris has moved past his grumpy malaise and is back to eating. Gotta love those little buggers.