Merauke moderators

[Janella]

Who is my Merauke moderators? Breeders?

Thank you

[mb606587]

[Janella]

Hey I have a question for you. My Noodles who is a 5 year old male, has been off feed. He won't eat his treats at all and this morning he wouldn't eat his favorite food of all snails. I had to basically hand feed him to eat. This is not like him at all. However, back in 2018 he went off his food and ended up having a bad infection. He was really sick with a super his white blood cell count, high calcium and it took months to get him back to normal. The vet I go to has over 30 years experience and she was stumped. She ended up contacting one of the top reptile vets in the world regarding this case. Anyway, this vet thought it could have been related to his hormones on why he stopped eating, but he wasn't sure what caused his infection. We never did find the reason for his infection.

So my question is, have you ever noticed during your Merauke breeding season, do your males go off feed?

Noodles is extremely special to me and my 4 year old. I would hate having him possibly be sick again. Trying to figure out if it is truly an issue or perhaps just a male breeding thing. Thank you

[mb606587]

Yes they do but not consistently like year in year out. You are not alone in dealing with this issue right now either. I was just helping another with his 2 year old male last night exhibiting the same behavior. All of my males are currently dropping plugs so it is in season. But I usually get at least one every year that does.

[Janella]

Noodles is dropping his sperm plugs like crazy as well. I just don't know what to think. Last time this year he did well and didn't have any issues at all. Now this year he is presenting with similar symptoms of when he got so sick. So I am trying to figure out if it is hormones or sickness again. Why do these buggers have to be so concerning at times??? Thank you for your help.

[mb606587]

If there's one thing I've learned many times over with these guys after 20 something odd years of keeping them, is as hard as it is sometimes, I don't panic anymore when my skinks stop eating in October, November, December on this side of the world.

[Janella]

Thank you! That helps me more than you know. I will keep an eye on him and if he gets worse take him in. If not, then I will chalk it up to hormones!

[Janella]

And this is why we need to make sure he is ok. This little girl loves this lizard so much. She asks to hold him every day.

[mb606587]

Oh I can definitely understand your concern.

[Janella]

Thank you again for your help. I thought it was you that had the Meraukes, but my brain is on overload lately with everything going on in my life.