Baby Leo eating very little and throwing up

MichaelMoore · #1 12-11-2009, 09:30 PM

Hello, I am new to this site and new to Leopard geckos (I had an Iguana for a few years so Ive had reptiles before)

My issue:

I purchased a Baby Leo from PetLand 3 weeks ago today and he was one of the healthy looking 2 of the 4 in the tank. He was doing fine for the first 2 weeks and was gaining some girth to his tail and pooping healthy (by that I mean is wasnt watery and he was doing it pretty easy, although after his problems started there was an incident where he was literally trying to bite the poop out), but about a week ago he stopped eating. He still chases food and wiggles his tail when he strikes but he normally gives up after the first failed attempt to catch it. it all started when he ate a mealworm (my thoughts at first were that is was too big, which it still may have been) but since then I have only seen him chase food but he has never actually eaten anything. Last night he ate a mealworm that was in his tank (it was a considerably smaller than the first one that he threw up), I noticed he ate it because I saw the lumps in his side but about 20 minutes later he was in the back of his tank licking his lips and I notcied he had thrown it up. The only reason I have mention mealworms is because he really doesn't show an intrest in the crickets. He has a dish of distilled water that he drinks from pretty regularly so I doubt he is dehydrated. He has a repticarpet as substrate so he is not impacted. He also has a dish of 50/50 calcium and vitamins.

Another thing he started doing today is he is dragging his head around on the ground as he walks.

His tank is the right temperature (mid 80s) on the hot side but it may be a little to cool on the cool side (Thermometer says 70 but thats as low as it goes)

I am pretty worried about him and the only thing I can think of is parasites from any of the crickets.

**Elizabeth Freer** · #2 12-11-2009, 11:24 PM

Hi Michael ~

Can you check on the conditions of the other three leopard geckos you chose from when you purchased your leo? I think that might be helpful since it has not been long since you got yours.

Have you any access to a vet specializing in exotics? At the very least you could have a fecal done. Just collect a fresh poop sample in a damp paper towel, refrigerate, and take it to the vet within 24 hours, the sooner the better. Anyone---please correct me if I have not given correct advice.

MichaelMoore · #3 12-12-2009, 12:06 AM

Theres no way to check on the condition of the other three.

When I first looked at them there were 4 but when I actually bought him a few days later 2 of the others were gone.

I dont know of any vets that could take care of him off the top of my head, but I also do not know of many veteranary offices around my area.

I read on this forum that he may become impacted from the outer shell of th mealworms if they aren't digested properly. I figured his temp was right because he was still eating and active but apparently mid 80s isnt hot enough and it needs to be mid 90s. I bought a 75watt bulb to help bring up the temp so ill see how that goes.

**Elizabeth Freer** · #4 12-12-2009, 01:28 AM

Michael ~

What size is his tank? Probably want to keep the lows in the mid 80s till he is better.

Where do you live?

Maybe you want to take a fecal into some vet? I wonder if vomit counts if he is not pooping right now. Place the poop sample in a dampened paper towel, refrigerate, and get it to the vet's within 24 hours. Maybe a regular vet would offer this service. Something is wrong.

Might check out the AARV (American Association of Reptile Vets?). Perhaps even a local dog and cat vet could point you in the right direction.

MichaelMoore · #5 12-12-2009, 01:37 AM

He is in a 20 gallon right now. I have a 10 gallon that is not being used.

I live in Northwest Florida im thinking my temp problem is because of it being the winter time (was 45 outside today)

I may try the baby food idea everyone is talking about, if that doesnt work I will have to find a veternarian that can help.

**Elizabeth Freer** · #6 12-12-2009, 02:16 AM

Are you monitoring the temps with a thermometer?

You might try putting Gerber's chicken baby food on his lips and see whether he'll lick it off. Even if he does, that does not solve the problems you've reported. See whether this is the website for the AARV: aarv.com: The Best Search Links on the Net I feel that you at the very least need to have a fecal analyzed.

I hesitate to give this advice, but it worked when one of my Oedura castelnaui prolapsed. The vet recommended cat lax on her lips once a day, ~15 minute tepid water soaks once a day, and chicken baby food only till the sand was passed. And, by the way folks, the sand she passed was a wee bit of that Jurassic Reptile Playsand from Utah.

Keep us posted.

MichaelMoore · #7 12-12-2009, 02:20 AM

Yeah I got 2 thermometers and a hydrometer when I bought the tank.

One sits on the warm side one on the cool and the hydrometer sits next to the warm side one.

Ill pick some baby food up tomorrow and try that out.

Thanks so much for giving me advice, ill try the site and see what i can find.

MichaelMoore · #8 12-12-2009, 02:30 PM

I picked up some chicken baby food today and mixed it with the vitamins and calcium and put some on his nose.

He immediately started licking it off, I did this for about 5 or 10 minutes until he started trying to wipe it off on the carpet and run away.

I'll try again when I get home from work tonight.

**Elizabeth Freer** · #9 12-12-2009, 05:20 PM

Michael ~

It is very good news that he likes the chicken baby food with the vitamins and calcium mixed in.

BTW, what is the brand name of your calcium and vitamins? I really like Rep Cal pink label calcium.

angel · #10 12-12-2009, 06:39 PM

I havent had this prob with my leos but i did with my baby beardys and the chicken baby food worked and we did 1-2 warm baths a day that may help too, make sure it isnt just 5 minutes though let them soak a bit.
Do you notice any bulges in his abdomin or to the side? or any blueish marks on his tummy area? my vet told me to look for that when i had a different issue with my leo {over the phone trying to help me} she said those are some POSSIBLE signs of impaction , not always present.
Hope he gets better soon , try calling a vet sometimes they know of other vets who deal with other species that they may not have knowledge on.