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 #1628745


JusFTW
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 Caiman not Defecating

I asked this in the caiman forums but they dont seem to get alot of action so I figured I’d repost it here. Any/All suggestion will help.

I’ve had my caiman for 3 weeks now. The day he arrived he defecated shortly after I put him in his tank, that was 20 days ago. He hasnt defecated since then. He’s been eating fine, crickets and fish. I thought maybe I was over-feeding so I didnt feed him for 4 days and he still didnt go but he started attacking the fake plants in the tank so I started feeding him again. He’s pretty fat right now. I keep a few live fish in the tank so he can eat whenever he gets hungry but they usually dont make it more then 2 night’s. He’s always looking for something to eat.

He’s very healthy(or atleast seems it to me). Water temperature is always 82-84F and air is 82F during day and 75F at night. Am I just worrying or could there be a problem?

If there is a problem what could I do about it?

Thanks
Justin



02/18/08  06:40pm

 #1629764


CelticTigeress
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   Message To: JusFTW   In reference to Message Id: 1628745


 Caiman not Defecating

typically when a Gator does not defecate but is being fed, several issues could be awry. Slow metabolism is one, a blockage (via constipation or other means) is another possibility, poor diet causing the body to over absorb too much protein... your diet for him needs to change or your heading down the road for MBD and other complications ie B1 deficiency due to over amount of thiamanese.

My suggestion take him to your vet...gt him looked at, its hard to diagnose a problem without the animal present...does he give any unusual outward appearances? bloating? discoloration? has he become sluggish? has his behavior c hanged in any way??

Keep in mind they need calcium..before you say "Oh fish have calcium in bones" research should have told you that thiamine sucks out the vitamins and calcium...fish are okay ’sometimes’ but they need variety, crickets offer no nutritional value but protein and a croc with too much protein can have health disorders on top of it...try pinkies and adult mice, frozen drum sticks (ie chicken wings) this can be contributing to the issue, because the body is not getting the vitamins it needs its over compensating and absorbing all that it can(ie you could b e throwing the thing’s system into starvation mode) which means it will start losing weight.. you can have the best temp and enclosure but not having the proper diet is just as bad...

question what is your setup like? you said you have fake plants (worse thing for them) do you have rocks? both fake plants and rocks swallowed can cause blockage as well....you may want to try your vet (hopefully you were smart and found a vet that will treat your lil buddy for ’just in case’ instances as this one..things do happen)
02/19/08  04:16pm

 #1629847


JusFTW
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   Message To: CelticTigeress   In reference to Message Id: 1629764


 Caiman not Defecating

He’s to small to eat pinkies yet and everywhere I read, said as a baby its good to feed him mostly crickets and some fish(which is what ive been doing). I had 2 spectacle about 10-11 years ago and feed them the same thing as ive been doing with this guy. I did feed them a bigger variety of insects though.

His behavor hasn’t changed any. During the day he does nothing. At night hes always on the move looking for food, digging in the rocks. He did start fully submerging under the water with his mouth open but he started that a few days after I got him, after I moved him into his new tank. Figured it was a new hunting method cuase he was catching fish that way. He also scratches his head with is back legs, not alot but ive seen him do it a few times.

I posted some pictures of him and the tank setup last week in the caiman forums. Copy and paste( http://www.repticzone.com/forums/Caimans/messages/1615696.html ) to see the pictures. I do have rocks and fake plants in the tank. The plants are to big for him to eat, I did see him attack the plant once. he grabbed it shook it abit and let go. The rocks are small enough he could probably swallow them.

Hes got nice size, not skinny at all. I’ll try to get some better pictures of him but he dont let me touch him so I wouldnt be able to take a really good picture of his body. Hes really mean. =) I didnt look for a vet before I got him (which im regretting now). But ive had many of herps over the last 15+ years and never had any problems or needs for a vet. I’ve been calling vets around my area and have yet to find one that will look at a caiman.

Im gonna continue to look for a vet and god willing I’ll find one. But till I do is there any suggestions you can give? Its now been 22 days since he defecated and I know that cant be good. I pride myself at taking very good care of my animals and dont want to lose this guy or have him suffer any.
02/19/08  05:16pm

 #1630179


CelticTigeress
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   Message To: JusFTW   In reference to Message Id: 1629847


 Caiman not Defecating

they believe it or not can eat small pinkies, if you dont want the pinkies then give a calcium supplement. in the wild they survive off thr yolk, then soon fish, frogs sand fleas crickets and small rodents, in the wild they have that variety...

you can try (it will require you holding him) administering 2 tbls of mineral oil, this will act as a lubricant and help, it will also cause him to defecate....
02/19/08  08:28pm

 #1630323


JusFTW
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   Message To: CelticTigeress   In reference to Message Id: 1630179


 Caiman not Defecating

Thank you for your help, Celitc. I’m gonna go to the store and pick up some mineral oil tomorrow and try that. I also got a list of 6 vets in my area that all see reptiles so I’ll call them tomorrow. Hopefully one will be able to see him. Also took a few more pics of him. You can actually see him better in these one’s.









Thanks
Justin
02/19/08  10:00pm

 #1638940


JusFTW
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   Message To: JusFTW   In reference to Message Id: 1630323


 Caiman not Defecating

He finally defecated. =)
02/26/08  05:25pm

 #1638982


CelticTigeress
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   Message To: JusFTW   In reference to Message Id: 1638940


 Caiman not Defecating

That is great news... glad you kept us updated... just remember to alter his diet so it isnt all fish and bug. and let us know how hes doing
02/26/08  05:53pm

 #1757588


Itzocaiman
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   Message To: CelticTigeress   In reference to Message Id: 1638982


 Caiman not Defecating

i think im having the same problem?iv’e had my caiman for 3 weeks and never seen signs of defecation.where can i purchase this mineral oil and what kind do i get brand name?
06/11/08  12:36am

 #1757920


CelticTigeress
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   Message To: Itzocaiman   In reference to Message Id: 1757588


 Caiman not Defecating

its called mineral oil, you can get it in any walmart I believe pharmacy area around the same section as baby oil and rubbing alcohal...any walmart employee can direct you
06/11/08  01:31pm


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