Leopard Gecko Zeus: Help!---Very Thin Tail on Juvie

HazardKitten

New member
Hello everyone!
I'm *very* new to this site so I apologize for my newbie-ness.
So, a little over a month ago I went to PetSmart and bought my own Juvenile Leo! Very exciting. Anyway, I noticed from the beginning that he was small and pretty thin. (I should mention I don't know the Leo's sex; i'm just using he. Also I'd have to guess he's between 1-2 months old).

My setup is flawless; I'm pretty darn positive I have EVERYTHING he needs, haha. I've done a load of research up to this point. (If you need me to list my setup or take a picture, just ask.) He has everything he needs and more.

So, here's my issue: i've had this guy for well over a month now, and his tail is remaining thin, not to mention his legs. I've looked TONS of places for an answer to this. Most said it will get bigger with age, a lot of people who had the same problem said that their Leo doesn't really eat... My situation seemed to differ a bit =/

This is my first Leo, and i've pretty much decided i'm not going to give up on him. I've become pretty attached to him; He's become really comfortable with me. I should mention that he's pretty active, hunts his crickets nightly and is pretty comfortable with me holding him every once and awhile. His behavior isn't lethargic at all and he *seems* alright.

My Leo eats regularly. Dusted crickets and all that. I feed him every night, anywhere between 2 and 5 crickets. He is eating, so the issue of his weight doesn't come from him not eating, like i've read in other situations. For a little while I tried mixing some mealworms in but he couldn't fully digest them, so I pulled them out of the diet. A few days ago I got pretty concerned that he really hadn't gained much weight in his tail... or really much weight at all. So, I bought a container of wax worms in hopes that it would help him gain some weight. I gave him 2 a couple of days ago. Since then he hasn't eaten anything... I gave him another wax worm today because I was a litte worried that he might be starving or something ;__; I'm hoping he hasn't become addicted to the wax worms, so I'm a little paranoid to give him more.

He hasn't gone to the vet yet, but at this point I'm nearly positive he has some sort of worm/parasite. That could be the only explanation to why he hasn't gained weight... But right now we can't afford to go to the vet, as recently we spend a good deal of money.

Should I go to the vet for a checkup...? It's been a month since I've been caring for him, do you guys think that any longer could possibly end up hurting him or maybe even death? Or could there be another reason why he isn't gaining weight? Is there anything I can do for him until then? Should I continue to feed him wax worms...? If I do, it would be after he eats some crickets, so i can be sure he gets all his nutrition. Also, doe she happen to look malnourished? Or is it just his colors?

I'm just really worried :( I really like this guy so giving him away isn't really something I'd want to do... I'd like to nurse him back to health myself.

Thank you SO MUCH if you can give me any help!
(Pictures are attached)
 

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Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Does your leo have a name?

Body size looks OK, but the tail is super thin.

What kind of thermometer are you using?

Don't continue feeding waxworms :(. They are way too fatty. He WILL become addicted and look for only those. Order some silkworms from Mulberry Farms tomorrow to see whether he likes those. Another leo on GU really likes silkies.

Properly fed crickets are fine. Sounds as if he was eating them.

You may have already seen this: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...care-recommendations-29-july-2012-update.html

PS: Do please post a picture of your leo's tank :)
 
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HazardKitten

New member
Yes, his name is Zeus. And I'll check out the silkworms in a moment... And I actually have read the post awhile back when I first got him :)

Do you think he has a parasite of some sort? Or just a case of underweight-ness?
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Yes, his name is Zeus. And I'll check out the silkworms in a moment... And I actually have read the post awhile back when I first got him :)

Do you think he has a parasite of some sort? Or just a case of underweight-ness?


Zeus...I thought so :)! Remember your former posts.

I don't know about a parasite. Need some fecal tests to rule that in or out. Check the posts following my caresheet for info there.
 

cricket4u

New member
Hi,

Please do take him to the vet along with a fecal sample. What are the temperatures in the enclosure? cool side? warm side air? warm side under the hide? and what type of thermometer are you using?

Unfortunately a very thin tail, but a fat body is a sign of a problem.
 
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HazardKitten

New member
Zeus...I thought so :)! Remember your former posts.

I don't know about a parasite. Need some fecal tests to rule that in or out. Check the posts following my caresheet for info there.

You got it ^-^
And I'll attach some photos of his tank...
It's pretty large. I have the cool side with his 'decor', humid hide box, log, and water dish. (The lil bro is out too, haha.) And above (not shown) is the thermometer and hydrometer.
The other side is the warm area; food dish, 2in1 calcium dish and warm hide (under-tank heater not shown), more decor. Thermometer also not shown.
Sorry if the picture looks dark; bad camera quality.
Oh,a nd the substrate im using is paper towels for the time being.
 

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HazardKitten

New member
Hi,

Please do take him to the vet along with a fecal sample. What are the temperatures in the enclosure? cool side? warm side air? warm side under the hide? and what type of thermometer are you using?

Unfortunately a very thin tail, but a fat body is a sign of a problem.

Temperatures are... (As of right now)
Cool side: About 79-80 degrees
Warm Side: 87-89/ degrees
Under the hide: About 92 degrees
And the humidity is at about 30% on the cool side.
And i'm just using Petco brand thermometers :)
 

cricket4u

New member
Temperatures are... (As of right now)
Cool side: About 79-80 degrees
Warm Side: 87-89/ degrees
Under the hide: About 92 degrees
And the humidity is at about 30% on the cool side.
And i'm just using Petco brand thermometers :)
Temperatures are very important for digestion and overall health. Those types of thermometers are very unreliable. Please looks at the thermometers and temperatures suggested on the caresheet and make the corrections necessary.
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
How long is his tank? Can't tell from your photos.

What kind of calcium and vitamins?

Does Zeus have a dish of pure calcium carbonate in his tank 24/7---no vitamin D3 in that one?
 
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