Cham won't drink then gorges on water

[luckykarma]

I'm trying to figure out what's up with a Panther who been on a hunger strike which has turned into a weird water strike.

Humidity is around 50%. Water is always available.

He won't drink for days and then he'll gorge on up to 25ML+ of water. His weight is fluctuating wildly due I would guess to water loss. He had a respiratory problem which cleared up. Right after it cleared he ate like a pig as he always does then suddenly lost his appetite. He's on assist feeding right now.

No outward signs of any problems. Fecals are perfectly clean. Throat is clean. I'm hoping not to do a blood panel as other than this he's alert, active and color is good.

 

[opihiman]

Are there any environmental things going on...I just got my chams off a food and water strike by changing their viv's around. I had my male in a smaller cage and move him to the larger cage. As soon as I did that he perked right up and started to eat and drink....

Have you tried flies and moths for the hunger strike?

pictures and filling out the how to ask for help will give a lot of information to start with.

OPI

 

[luckykarma]

Free range - since we got him. So over a year. No real changes other than can't throw him outside in a sunning cage any longer because he decided "free" range was the only way to go so he rubs his nose raw.

No cage = no flies.

Its been dry here but I compensate with a humidifier.

I weighed him this morning. His best weight is around 196.

He was down to 176.

Then he drank 30ML in at one time (Pedialyte) and then I had him outside for a little bit and he started licking leaves after I sprayed him so I gave him more from a large eye dropper and he drank about 4 more of those appx 5ml I just weighed him and he gained 23 grams of water weight - 199 grams. That seems unnatural.

 

[jmyeager]

Drinking that much at once certainly does seem "unnatural." It would be helpful know more information about your cham and his environment/routine. Filling out the help form would help to clarify some of these things. Blood work would also be a good place to start as there are many metabolic/electrolyte problems that can cause abnormal thirst/drinking. Anytime an animal drinks an excessively large volume compared to body weight at once they can also cause a severe electrolyte imbalance, which can have many systemic effects.

If your cham was licking the leaves, perhaps he would start drinking on his own from the leaves. Have you tired misting him when he is licking the leaves, or leaving a drip cup going for much of the day?

 

[luckykarma]

I mist his tree enough that there's always water if he wants it. I've been keeping Chams free range for 7 years so I sort of know how to set up the environment. The other Chams are fine.

I'm hoping that giving him some Pedialyte today will help.

 

[Lancecham]

I would be concerned about electrolyte imbalance as well. Are the eyes sunken in a bit during the water strike. Are you sure you don't have a camel?
Is this Lucky you are talking about?

 

[luckykarma]

I was joking to a friend that he's become a camel. This is your grandson - Zzodhi.

Eye's aren't sunken in and I watch for that naturally. Truthfully I can hardly tell the difference when he's bloated with water or 23 grams down.

As mentioned, I provided 3/4 of the liquid yesterday as Pedialyte because I hoped that would help him retain some water. The second drinking binge only water.

I completely wet him down several times a day. I have no idea.