Leopard gecko not eating- possibly ovulation?

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Meaningoflife42

New member
She has had two previous owners, one unknown and one with a diet of mealworms only. Not even dusted! When I got her and since then, she has never eaten a cricket. Don't know if they are too fast or she got bitten by one, she simply does not care about them, only reacting if they go in her hide or climb on her. My parents won't try dubia due to their "grossness" but I will look into them. I assume she will react the same way, but in any case, she will not touch the crickets and dubias are not available anywhere locally.
 
cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
Meaningoflife42 said:
She has had two previous owners, one unknown and one with a diet of mealworms only. Not even dusted! When I got her and since then, she has never eaten a cricket. Don't know if they are too fast or she got bitten by one, she simply does not care about them, only reacting if they go in her hide or climb on her. My parents won't try dubia due to their "grossness" but I will look into them. I assume she will react the same way, but in any case, she will not touch the crickets and dubias are not available anywhere locally.
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She will not have a good appetite until all the requirements are met and she's completely healthy.
 
M

Meaningoflife42

New member
No, I think you may misunderstand. I've had her for three years, and in that time, she has not gone for a cricket. I will try to get all her needs fixed as soon as possible, but even in her eating periods she has not gone for crickets.
 
cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
Meaningoflife42 said:
No, I think you may misunderstand. I've had her for three years, and in that time, she has not gone for a cricket. I will try to get all her needs fixed as soon as possible, but even in her eating periods she has not gone for crickets.
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No, I did not misunderstand. (writing can be scary):) For example, she may not have been entirely healthy or kept properly from day 1. Possibly suffering from nutritional deficiencies or inappropriate temperatures. Just make all the changes necessary and hopefully things will change for the better.
 
M

Meaningoflife42

New member
Ok, thanks. I'll post if anything changes. A worm went missing from her dish, so she may have eaten it (or it's good at hiding) because I can't find it.
 
C

Completeleopard

New member
From Elizabeth's care sheet:


In emergency situations during which a leo has been off food for extended periods of time and is losing weight, REHYDRATE FIRST for a couple days!!! A few drops of unflavored Pedialyte on the gecko's snout or in the water could help jumpstart the appetite. Do not attempt feeding a dehydrated gecko till the gecko's hydration status has been confirmed by a vet.

Rehydration Information
To entice any gecko to open his mouth brush a thin dowel, a stainless steel gavage needle (with a rounded tip), or your finger horizontally past his lips. Stroke gecko's lips, gecko opens mouth, then insert water, food, or medicine. Be gentle and never force the mouth open.

How to force feed a Leopard Gecko - YouTube

Recovery Foods
***Fluker's Repta+Boost -- good for leos off food



***Oxbow Carnivore Care (premium recovery food) is even better. Available through a vet -- mainly. Oxbow Animal Health | Carnivore Care



***Lafeber's Emeraid for Carnivors -- quite similar to Oxbow's Carnivore Care

***In a pinch, use Mazuri's Mazuri Shopping Cart - Insectivorous Lizards
 
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Meaningoflife42

New member
Okay, I made a relatively large mistake. While syringe feeding her, I accidentally got a drop of food in her eye. She immediately lapped and blinked it out, and it is now indistinguishable from her other one. She can see clearly through it. I'll bring it up with the vet this week, but besides that, should I worry? What would signs of eye infection be?
 
M

Meaningoflife42

New member
Good news! She ate three worms today! I don't think we're in the clear as she avoided further interactions with food, but I think this is a good sign. I am going on a vacation until Monday, but I has given my parents strict instructions on her care and will check in daily.
 
M

Meaningoflife42

New member
Update: some weird poops (possibly due to shed) but she has just had a normal one I believe. Hard to tell as it was dry but looked like other dry poops while she was eating. No further solid food eaten, but a recent fecal turned up pinworm free. Hopefully she will eventually make the switch back. Question: my vet recommends around 2 hours UVB light daily, should I get this or waste of time?
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Meaningoflife42 said:
Update: some weird poops (possibly due to shed) but she has just had a normal one I believe. Hard to tell as it was dry but looked like other dry poops while she was eating. No further solid food eaten, but a recent fecal turned up pinworm free. Hopefully she will eventually make the switch back. Question: my vet recommends around 2 hours UVB light daily, should I get this or waste of time?
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:yahoo: that she is pinworm-free!

Can you post a pic of her enclosure? How long is it?

Off meds since?

If she is not eating, she is getting no dietary vitamin D3. :-(
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Meaningoflife42 said:
Off meds for three weeks, still getting d3 through liquid diet. Cage is 20 gallon long, pics attached.
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Glad the meds are finished. D3 via Carnivore Care? Seems like the D3 in Carnivore Care would suffice.

Why did Pinky's vet recommend 2 hours daily of UVB?

I've never used UVB with leopard geckos. Cricket4u suggests using UVB only if the vivarium is a minimum 48 inches long and only if there are many sheltered places for a leopard gecko to dodge the rays.

On the Health Questionnaire right at the beginning of this thread you say that Pinky is about 8 inches long and 76 grams. Do you know her current weight? No longer should the meds be diminishing her appetite. Depending upon her weight, how about stopping the Carnivore Care so that she can develop an appetite?

---Are you ready with her favorite feeder or perhaps some hornworms?
---Is the blue dish her water dish? Suggest a larger dish located on the cool end.
---Still elevating the tank off the stand with sticky "feet" or something else?

Leopard gecko = Eublepharis macularius ;-)
 
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M

Meaningoflife42

New member
I believe the vet said it was due to establishing some photoperiod while giving d3 as I was instructed to do it at dawn. I will post current weight after I measure her- parents currently using scale to measure ingredients (will be sure to clean :p). I will try to stop the liquid diet but my parents for some reason believe that making her full will make her hungry- will try to convince them otherwise. I have bought some of her favorite worms but will also buy some hornworms if I can find them. Still elevating tank. Finallly, pic of actual water dish (in cool side) attached.
 

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C

Completeleopard

New member
As long as it is near a window that will be OK for establishing a photo period, if your dusting with D3 that will be sufficient D3 for her, it can be hard to get things correct when using a UVB Bulb, correct size bulb, correct strength, correct size tank, correct hides and cover, all have to be taken into consideration.

What are her favourite worms.
 
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Meaningoflife42

New member
She used to really like waxworms and pupating mealies so I figured I'd give them a shot. I know these are by far from the best food choices available but I'm hoping they can restart her appetite.
 
C

Completeleopard

New member
I would not recommend using wax worms, it isn't a good way to put on weight. Instead, try hornworms, also, mealworm pupae is very fatty. I understand that your just trying to jump start her appetite, but if she's hungry, she will eat a cricket as willingly as a wax worm.
 
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