force feeding

[reptile171]

How, or whats the easiest way to force feed a 6inch savanaah monitor?I havnt seen mine eat in months,but he must be eatin something...

[Linds]

Why do you feel force-feeding needs to be done? Force-feeding should only be used as a last resort. Although I've never seen a shy sav, do you feel it is possible your sav has just been eating in privacy?

[reptile171]

i dont know, he must be eating some how to stay alive i guess...

[asphyxia]

What is this all about? Why dont you know if it is eating

For example; If you put 50 Crix in and the next day there is none he must have ate them, or are you not feeding him?

[reptile171]

i still see the crickets.....

[Jezabel]

He'll need proper temp to eat. A really hight asking spot of around 110-120. You said you have it in a 10 gal aqua, I don't think you'll be able to reach a good gradient of temps for him in such a small space. To achive such a high hot spot, the ambient temps might be too high. What kind of termometer do you use?

Also, as asphyxia said, it's impossible to not know if he's eating or not. You still see the cricket but if you put 20 and the next you see 10 crix, he eating right? Count them.

[asphyxia]

well then he obviously is not eating them, and may have internal parasites or mouth rot. Get a fectal done.

[rustysdragons]

Vet check sound asappropriate.
Please do not force feed unless shown how by a qualified professional.::I.E. A qualified DVM.
Thanks
Rusty
PS: I have seen many herps die in the hands of someone trying to force feed withour being qualified to do so, not saying your not good to your sav, but it sounds like the best thing to do for him / her is a vet check.

[dlucka]

Before you force feed him, change his enclosure to be able to have a great thermos regulation with a good basking spot, this is hard to do in a 10 gal. Put a few crickets, this will be easier to count if still some in there. You can try live pinky, it some time
excite the monitor and a pinky will not hurt him. Don't touch im for a few days, let him feel secure. Most of the time after all the set up is ok they start to eat slowly. If you already have all the set up perfect for him, you did not touch him and he's not eating go see the vet.

Good luck

[Linds]

I would think providing the proper thermal gradient in a ten gallon is impossible with use of basking lights. Maybe if you are only wanting a ten degree difference from one end to the next, but certainly not a ~40 degree difference...