Leopard Gecko won't eat! Why?

Discussion in 'Leopard Geckos' started by diver_fcd, May 22, 2005.

  1. diver_fcd

    diver_fcd New Member

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    For some reason my leo hasn't been eating since a week ago. I've tried live and canned wax worms, superworms, and mealworms . Nothing works. He's just not interested. He lives on reptile carpet with peat moss in his humid hide and some rocks to hide under. He shed a little over a week ago and didn't eat his skin. I don't understand what the prob is. He is losing weight too. Any suggestions would be really really appreciated.
     
  2. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  3. Spot

    Spot ReptileBoards Addict

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    Can you answer these ques for us?

    How are you heating the tank?
    what is the SUBSTRATE temps and how are you measuring it?
    How old is your leo and how long have you had him?
    Is he pooping - and is the poo unusually smelly?
    when's the last time you had a fecal exam done?
     
  4. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  5. diver_fcd

    diver_fcd New Member

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    answers

    I am heating the tank with a heat lamp that keeps the substrate at around 90 degrees.

    I use a thermometer from a pet store to measure it.

    The gecko is a year old and I've had him since last october.

    He did poop a few days ago and I didn't notice any strange odor. I have never had a fecal exam done, but it looks normal.
     
  6. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  7. Spot

    Spot ReptileBoards Addict

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    Just make sure that the petshop store thermometer is accurate - if it's those stick on types, they are notoriously NOT accurate.
    Do you have a probe you can place directly on the substrate to measure?

    Is he acting normally? Not losing weight? It appears that several members here are having the same problem right now of their leos not eating. One of them didn't eat for 3 weeks and suddenly started pigging out after. It MAY be a seasonal thing...

    Watch his behavior and poo pattern (I'd get a fecal done just to be sure), and weight for a while and see if he snaps out of it.
    Make sure you have a herp vet standing by just in case you need to consult him.
     
  8. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  9. diver_fcd

    diver_fcd New Member

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    I don't have a probe, but the thermometer isn't junk. It is probably accurate. Not a stick on type. He is not acting normal: sleeping more and losing weight.
     
  10. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  11. diver_fcd

    diver_fcd New Member

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    Today he was walking around at lunch time. Seemed a little energetic but wouldn't eat. He just drinks water.
     
  12. Spot

    Spot ReptileBoards Addict

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    You mentioned various worms you tried. Have you tried crickets?
     
  13. diver_fcd

    diver_fcd New Member

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    I haven't tried crickets. He usually eats canned mealworms without any problem. He pooped yesterday so he isn't stopped up, but he must have eaten one of the superworms or something to produce the feces.
     
  14. Spot

    Spot ReptileBoards Addict

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    you shld have taken the poop to get a fecal exam. Parasites are one of the common reasons why leos stop eating and lose weight.
    You'll need vet meds to treat that if he has it or atleast rule that out.
     
  15. diver_fcd

    diver_fcd New Member

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    I still have it so maybe I will take it in. Do you know if "pet smart" does that kind of thing. I am kind of new to the area I live in so I'm not sure if I am going to find a vet that deals w/ herps.
     
  16. diver_fcd

    diver_fcd New Member

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    I finally got my gecko to eat! He had 2 crickets and is hunting around a little bit. This seems like good news.
     
  17. Spot

    Spot ReptileBoards Addict

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    good news, may be he was just sick of the canned stuff. I'm actually amazed that he was eating the canned stuff in the first place. Most leos need to be stimulated by the movement of the feeders to hunt and eat.

    Make sure that the crickets are no larger than the width of your leo's head and it's properly gutloaded and dusted.

    Also, for future, the poo sample needs to be fairly fresh. If it's shriveled and dried, it's no good. You need a 'fresh' sample.

    I'd ask around for a vet now, so you'll have one on hand BEFORE an emergency. Here's a couple of sites to see if there's one near you.
    www.arav.org
    www.herpvetconnections.com
     
  18. DizzyStar

    DizzyStar Member

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    good news on the gecko! glad he's eating.

    spot - thanks for posting those links. i found two arav members within 10 minutes of my apartment... previously i didnt have a herp vet at all... thanks!
     
  19. Spot

    Spot ReptileBoards Addict

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    Glad to hear, DizzyStar, you're very welcome! I hope they turn out to be great herp vets!
     
  20. diver_fcd

    diver_fcd New Member

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    Hey, my gecko is back to normal. He is eating crickets and looks healthy. He's starting to gain back some weight too. Thanks for everyone help.
     
  21. cindywhitall

    cindywhitall New Member

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    mine isn't eating either, worse than yours

    We have had our geckos (2 separate tanks, they didn't get along) for 5 years now. One of them has not eaten in about a monthor more. To be honest they didn't get fed very often, about once a week, a pile of giant mealworms. If they are prowling we feed them more often.

    The one that hasn't eaten has shed about 3 times druing her non-eating period and she has not even eaten her shed skin. She is noticeable thinner. She seems listless and does seem to be hanging around her water dish. A lot of the time she isn't opending her eyes fully, about halfway. I did see her drink when I last filled her dish. I even saw her sitting in it, which I have never seen (it only had about 1/2 inch water, maybe she didn't even realize she was in it).

    There are signs of pee (the white chunks) but no poop to speak of, but she hasn't eaten so how could there be?

    COuld she be impacted? I have not changed her setup in years. Her cage is lined with calci-sand because i was told that would not cause impaction and it would give extra calcium. I may have used a different brand a few months ago, but the same basic product. What are impaction signs and is there any cure or hope for her? We have had her since infancy, so I know she is only 5,and the only animals she has been in contact with are the mealworms. We don't even handle her too much.

    WHen she was 2 she stopped eating, but didn't drop weight like this. At the time the vet decided she must be getting ready to lay an egg (she was fat in the middle, but we may have overfed her back then). She never did lay an egg and went back to normal. I didn't have alot of confidence in the vet and don't want to stress her out, or waste the money....What could a vet do without a fecal sample anyhow??

    Thanks for listening, I am afraid it is hopeless. Next, my son wants a snake and I don't want that!! I like Lizzy!
     
  22. Spot

    Spot ReptileBoards Addict

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    Try the slushy recipe - (provided byMarcia of GoldenGateGeckos)
    "In a blender, combine:
    1 small can Hill's A/D pet food (available at most vets)
    1/4-1/3 cup Ensure (not chocolate)
    1 jar baby food squash
    1/4-1/3 cup Pedialite
    2 tablets or contents of 2 capsules milk thistle (herbal supplement, liver purifier, found at most drug stores.)
    1/2 tsp. each calcium powder and herp vitamin powder
    1 large handful of mealworms, added slowly while mixture is blending

    Puree all ingredients until completely smooth, and pour into ice cube tray(s) and freeze. Store cubes in zip-lock bag in the freezer until ready to use, then thaw out 1 cube at a time and store in fridge for 2-3 days. I use the empty baby food jar for this purpose, washing it thoroughly after each batch.

    Using this mixture, draw a full dropper (eye dropper type) and place a drop on the gecko's nose. It will lick it off, and as it does, slowly squeeze out a little at a time. Most geckos love this food, and will lap it up."

    calci sand is no good - it's not digestible like it says (well, may be in 25 years...) it's responsible for many impaction problems.
    Get rid of it right now and replace with papertowel (especially for your sick one). Other good choices are reptile carpet, slate tiles, non-adhesive shelf liner.

    If she's impacted, a luke warm bath may get things moving inside her. Give that a try along with a gentle belly massage.

    How are her temps? the SUBSTRATE (not air) temps on the warm end shld be 88-92 deg. measured by thermometer with probe or tempgun. Don't rely on the stickon therm. sold at petshops.

    Try offering her crickets - the movement of the cricks may stimulate her hunting instincts.

    good luck.
     
  23. taralovesduff

    taralovesduff Embryo

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    I've had my gecko for about two years. I just replaced my gecko pad with sand because one of the employees at my local pet store said that his leos are doing great with the sand! Its been about a week since I changed her habitat, and I read online that they usually stop eating when you change their habitat, but after a week they return to normal. Is this true? I've tried crickets and trying to feed her myself, but shes just not interested. I'm thinking of calling the pet store to ask about her. PLEASE help me! I love my gecko to death :)

    Pleaseee reply ASAP! Thanks so much <3
     
  24. Zencoran

    Zencoran New Member

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    you do realize that this thread is 5 years old? sand is bad for all leos no matter what.
     
  25. taralovesduff

    taralovesduff Embryo

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    so then why are they desert lizards ..? and when i first bougt her, she was in a tank with sand.
     

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