Need advice on my sisters Leo.!

KaitS. · #1 01-14-2012, 02:56 PM

A new story entry has been added:

Quote:

My parents bought my little sister a leopard gecko about 5 months ago from a pet store. They didn't look into them before they got it, so they didn't know what a healthy gecko should look like. The one they bought her was super skinny, had no tail fat, and was almost colorless (I don't know if it's an albino or if it is a symptom). It was about 4 inches long when they bought it. Its now 5 months later and from what they are telling me, it hasn't grown at all since they got it, neither in length or weight. It eats a lot (crickets and mealworms) and drinks but doesn't gain any weight. I'm thinking parasites are what's going on. My father is the type that would die before taking a lizard to the vet, if you know what I mean. I live across the country from my family but when I go visit soon I am bringing it back with me so I can hopefully get it healthy if the damage can be undone. Aside from me taking it to the vet (which will be done as soon as I get it) what are some good ways to get some quick healthy weight on?

For the record, I have a healthy leo and I know all about correct temps, foods, vitamins, and I use paper as a substrate, etc, etc. So I know what I'm doing, I just want to make sure I get some healthy weight on it, rather than just bulking it up with waxworms like some people suggest. Maybe some slush recipes? Please and thank you!!

cricket4u · #2 01-14-2012, 03:10 PM

Hello,

The truth is if it's due to parasites the gecko will continue to fail to put on weight until he/she is treated. The parasites will continue to steal all her nutrients regardless of what you feed. Once the gecko is under your care and you can provide husbandry info, an educated guess can be made. Let us know how the gecko is doing once under your care.

dragons_valley · #3 01-14-2012, 04:42 PM

i agree with Cricket4u if it is parasites it wont help much doing anything now unless they take him/her to the vet. if you think your parents are up to it you can buy dewormer medicine as a possible remedy of rioreptiles.com its called panicure it cost about $4 with shipping but they would have to know the exact weight of the leo to administer the medicine. if you think your dad is willing to do that in the meantime then try that out. it wont hurt to give the leo medicine if its administered with the correct dosage if its to high it will only harm the leo more so keep that in mind.

otherwise until you get him/her to the vet its really no use. also make sure they are dusting the crickets regularly to prevent MBD. ask if it has all its finger if not then they probably dont have a shed box which would help out with hydration as well.

Good job caring about this leopard gecko although your parents didnt do there research it isnt entirely ther fault pet stores should provide all the information for all the pets they sell but when its about the money pet stores become ignorant.

KaitS. · #4 01-14-2012, 04:58 PM

Yeah, I agree, thats why I said besides taking it to the vet. I was wanting to know about after its been to the vet and I've had any parasites taken care of. I was wanting advice on ways to get it to a proper weight quickly without just feeding it lots of waxworms as some people suggest. And yeah, it was an impulse birthday buy on their part and they should have done their research first. And I will mention the medicine, but its highly unlikely they will purchase it. I will probably buy it and mail it to them.

cricket4u · #5 01-14-2012, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaitS.

Yeah, I agree, thats why I said besides taking it to the vet. I was wanting to know about after its been to the vet and I've had any parasites taken care of. I was wanting advice on ways to get it to a proper weight quickly without just feeding it lots of waxworms as some people suggest. And yeah, it was an impulse birthday buy on their part and they should have done their research first. And I will mention the medicine, but its highly unlikely they will purchase it. I will probably buy it and mail it to them.

It's extremely upsetting to hear that parents are willing to watch a reptile suffer to death. Medications cannot be given without knowing what parasite is present. Certain parasites require certain medications. A reptile under poor conditions will not handle dewormers well and can succumb to death. Without the proper temperatures the medications will be useless. We don't even know if that is the problem. If your parents will not take the gecko to the vet, the least they can do is find the gecko a new home with someone who can take proper care of it before it's too late.

dragons_valley · #6 01-14-2012, 06:59 PM

Now im not going to disagree with what cricket4u said im no proffesional. but something i used to do when i had leos was feed them Crested Gecko Diet(i breed cresties) along with the normal roaches and worms and all that good stuff. it gave my leos more nutrients and vitamins than what they were getting from dusted crickets. they loved that stuff as well might help out a bit with the weight but highly doubt it if he/she does have a parasite it will only nourish them more.

cricket4u · #7 01-14-2012, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaitS.

Yeah, I agree, thats why I said besides taking it to the vet. I was wanting to know about after its been to the vet and I've had any parasites taken care of. I was wanting advice on ways to get it to a proper weight quickly without just feeding it lots of waxworms as some people suggest. And yeah, it was an impulse birthday buy on their part and they should have done their research first. And I will mention the medicine, but its highly unlikely they will purchase it. I will probably buy it and mail it to them.

Once he is treated he will gradually put on weight with the insects you feed him. There is no need to force it. It is unhealthy to put on drastic weight overnight. My fear is he won't make it if he continues to waste away. Are they at least providing him with proper heating? supplements?

KaitS. · #8 01-15-2012, 08:16 PM

Yeah, from what they've told me his temps are good, his food is dusted, he shedded regularly until recently, I know my sister mists him and he seems to really like that. He is just wasting away from what I gather. I tried to get him to mail it overnight to me but he won't do it. The nearest reptile vet is about 3 hours from where they live and there no way he will take it. He's just that type, he could care less about a lizard. His dog gets the best care but that's where he draws the line. He's my father so there is nothing I can do to change his mindset. Which makes me very upset but thats the way he is. I'm starting to have little hope that I will get to it in time, but thanks everyone for the advice.

cricket4u · #9 01-16-2012, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaitS.

Yeah, from what they've told me his temps are good, his food is dusted, he shedded regularly until recently, I know my sister mists him and he seems to really like that. He is just wasting away from what I gather. I tried to get him to mail it overnight to me but he won't do it. The nearest reptile vet is about 3 hours from where they live and there no way he will take it. He's just that type, he could care less about a lizard. His dog gets the best care but that's where he draws the line. He's my father so there is nothing I can do to change his mindset. Which makes me very upset but thats the way he is. I'm starting to have little hope that I will get to it in time, but thanks everyone for the advice.

Your welcomed. I hope you make it on time

hercules · #10 01-20-2012, 11:19 PM

If your sister's leopard gecko was a baby then it should be kind of skinny. If it was not very clorful then it might have been getting ready to shed it's skin. If it's a juvinile then you should feed it about 2-3-4 small crikets a day every day and make sure your dusting the crikets with calcium powder. NEVER USE DIRT,SAND, ETC.
P.S. I have owened a leopard gecko for over a year.