Just won't eat...

[SlipperyLizard]

I've had this leo for a couple of months now and it just will not eat on its own... I've been having to some what "force feed" it (putting a mealworm in its mouth and it does the rest.) Its not nearly the size it should be and appears a lil' weak. I plan on feeding it the same way until I can get it to eat on its own, but just how long do I have to do this? It's kinda frusterating because of having to do this every night and because I'm just worried about it. Is there anything that I can do for this lil' guy? Please help me out here. :?

 

[stephluvsgeckos]

Have you tried any other type of food like crickets?

 

[weswright]

Have you taken him to a vet yet? Is it passing stools normaly? Temps? Substrate?

 

[miss libby]

As with many other problems encountered with leopard geckos, there could be a wide range of possible contributing factors that you and your vet will work through and start to eliminate. Most of the time, a lack of appetite is related to improper husbandry practices and not actually any disease.
The more common causes could include:

Seasonal anorexia (many species will go off their food seasonally during the winter months.
Improper environmental temperatures
Improper lighting schedule - lack of a regular photoperiod.
Lack of a secure hiding place.
Habitat recently moved, changed or too small.


Food is being offered in the wrong place.
Offering the wrong kind of food.
Offering food at the wrong time of day.
Improper feeding schedule.
Gecko is uncomfortable eating for an audience.


Gecko is shedding.
Stress.
New owners or people feeding the reptile.
Failure of a wild-caught specimen to adjust to captivity
Breeding season - sexually active males and gravid females may go off food.
Dominate individual preventing others from eating or may eat most of the food.


Dystocia (egg binding)
Gastrointestinal problems
Internal parasites
External parasites
Bacterial, viral or fungal infections
Foreign body obstruction or impaction
Respiratory disease
Neoplasia
Dehydration
Other medical problems

Use the process of elimination to try to figure out whats wrong.

Is it a juvenile or adult?

 

[SlipperyLizard]

It's a juvie; and the temp is right, plenty of space in a 20 gallon by itself, reptile carpet, good hide, turn the light on in the morning and before I go to bed, tried mealworms and crickets both, put water drops on its nose for it to drink, and is also passing stool normally... not sure what else to do?

 

[sarahjane85]

Cody,

Hydrolife by T-Rex is an excellent product that I've used in many situations. The dropper is easy to use -- I would suggest no more than half a dropper per day and use it on the bottom lip/jaw rather than the nose. Give him a break between drops so that he can swallow.

It's meant for sustaining the gecko (dehydration and not eating). It also stimulates the appetite after 3-4 days of use.


Sarah.

 

[SlipperyLizard]

I'll go to the pet store today and try to find it. Should I continue feeding him the way that I have been or just wait until a few days after the supplement starts to take affect. I'll let ya know how it turns out. Thanks for the idea Sarah. :wink: I hope it works.

 

[miss libby]

It could simply be a case of parasites in which case the only treatment would
be a trip to the vet to get a fecal done. If the appitite stimulant doesnt work
i highly recommened that you test for parasites.

 

[sarahjane85]

Absolutely. If he'll eat in between, keep the feeding going. I usually order it from www.lllreptile.com for $5.95 b/c it's not available at a regular pet store here. Try them if you can't find it locally.
Typically they'll have watery, smelly poop and sometimes regurgitate their food and shed if they have a high number of intestinal parasites.


Sarah.

 

[mestnf]

I've noticed some of you have used the term "force-feeding". What do you guys do whenever you do this? try to stick food into it's mouth?

 

[SlipperyLizard]

Yes. I use the "tail-end" of the mealworm and start from the corner of the leo's mouth and just kinda wiggle it in, he opens up, I push it into his mouth (not like a violent pushing), and he takes it down. Otherwise he would starve to death because he doesn't even look at food with the least bit of interest. He never has since I've had him.