Leopard gecko stopped eating

Grendel

Grendel

New member
My juvenile leopard gecko stopped eating about four days ago. His feces look like snot. I have offered crickets of appropriate size, half inch mealworms, and waxworms but he is eating nothing. I called the petsmart at which i purchased him and they said he might be getting ready to shed but his colors are as bright as ever and i just want a second opinion. the temp is fine 82 degrees on the hot side and 70 on the cool side. Could he have parasites? If not what else could be going on? I know its not impaction i use carpet. and i dont think it stress i haven't handled him in a couple of days and im removing uneaten crickets and i havent moved anything around. So i need some help if it is parasites what should i do? I cannot afford a vet bill :-( Can anyone help me?
 
K

Kellysaurus

New member
Have you been feeding him live mealworms?

I'm not an expert, but I heard horror stories about mealworms surviving when being swallowed and eating/burrowing their way out of the reptile if it's small enough...
Thats why you're supposed to smash the heads or something when feeding.

I don't know a lot about it, but it's what I've been told. I certianly hope that's not the case, but something is definitely wrong internally. Petsmart is retarded, because I can't see how shedding would have ANYTHING to do with runny poo and lack of appetite.

Hopefully someone else will answer with advice on parasites, because that's also a possibility.

Only other thing I can think of is maybe he can't pass a large stool? I mean he's pooping so I find that less likely, but if you place him in shallow water (enough to wet his butt), it might relax him enough to poop better. I've been told that by breeders for crested geckos, so I'd research leopard baths before trying that though.

I hope he gets better soon. Post updates.
 
electrofelt

electrofelt

New member
If the gecko is having runny stools, that is a common sign of parasites or a bacterial infection. Unfortunately, both of those can only be fixed with antibiotics which requires a vet visit. If the geckos go without the antibiotics the infection/parasites can overwhelm the geckos body causing lack of appetite, starvation, and eventually death. The best thing you can do it take a fresh fecal sample to the vet and have it tested. Some vets will do this without an appointment and it is usually cheap, around 15-25 dollars.

The other possibility is that the temperatures are too low causing digestion to be out of whack. You should bump up the temperatures and continue offering food to see what happens. If she does not improve then you should look into getting a fecal test.

Hopefully it is nothing and she starts feeling better. Good luck!
 
Hilde

Hilde

Administrator
Staff member
Kellysaurus said:
I'm not an expert, but I heard horror stories about mealworms surviving when being swallowed and eating/burrowing their way out of the reptile if it's small enough...
Thats why you're supposed to smash the heads or something when feeding.
Click to expand...

This is an old wives' tale that just doesn't want to die. ;)
Check out the discussion in this thread:
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...2-leopard-geckos-superworms-2.html#post189890

You can save yourself the trouble of smashing and chopping of heads - I'm sure that's not a pleasant pre-feeding task.
 
Grendel

Grendel

New member
another thing...Even before his appetite issues he just wouldnt eat meal worms. how can i make those more stimulating/qappetizing to him
 
Yoshi'smom

Yoshi'smom

New member
The whole mealworms will eat your gecko from the inside is a myth. Live feeders are best for your gecko.
Some geckos are picky about feeders. Take my Yoshi for examplez; He won't eat anything other than worms. He simply isn't interested in crickets. I would try other feeders for him. One will get his appetite working, I'm sure.
About shedding: Leo's usually shed about once a month like clockwork. I can usually time when all of mine will shed and bump up their humidity a bit to help them. When did you get your gecko and has it shed since you've had it? Most likely though, the pet store was just trying to think of one possible problem. Leo's do tend to go on small hunger strikes right before and after they shed.
 
electrofelt

electrofelt

New member
Even if the gecko was going on hunger strike due to shedding, his stool would still look normal. How does your gecko look in terms of weight? Has he lost any weight, does he have a fat tail? If he is a good healthy weight, then you can give it a week or so and see if his runny stool continues or if he starts eating again. If it is shedding, by then he would be done and back to normal. If not, then there is something else going on.

As for mealworms, you can make sure the mealworms are warm when you feed them. The warmth wakes them up and gets them moving. Then you can roll them in your fingers or pinch their tail lightly right before dropping them in the tank. This should get them moving enough to attract the gecko.
 
Grendel

Grendel

New member
@yoshi's mom
I dont know when he last shed...He ate recently just one pinhead(unconfirmed). How long do these "hunger strikes" last? I fixed his heat issues and his bowel irregularities seem to have cleared up. Unfortunately he developed a pencil tail in the ordeal. Is this something to worry about? If it is how can i make him regain his lost weight on crix? Thanks for all your help.
 
Grendel

Grendel

New member
@ electrofelt
yes he has lost a lot of weight but i have yet to see any more bowel problems. during his "issues" he would defecate once a day. he hasnt since i bought the new bulb. He has a pencil tail can he survive another week? (hes a juvenile) he still has only eaten one cricket (unconfirmed)
 
Yoshi'smom

Yoshi'smom

New member
I would just leave the little one alone for a day or so and not disturb him/her. I would try feeding again with a few different feeders. If he/she hasn't eaten by Tuesday I would call a vet to see what their opinion is. I would also take a stool sample along to check for possible parasites. The vet may want to give the little one some fluids to help it along. How long have you had your gecko?
 
Grendel

Grendel

New member
@ yoshi's mom
14 days btw that unconfirmed feeding didnt hapen i found the cricket under the carpet also i CANT afford a vet he's extremely young and may never have shed before could he be on one of those food strikes and stuff? If he is which i am going to assume since the only other assumption would be that he has an ailment that i cannot afford to fix (i make $70-90 a week) What is the longest food strike youve ever heard of? Do they go on a long food strike whenthey first shed? Please answer all these Q's. Muchos gracias seniorita.
 
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electrofelt

electrofelt

New member
For answering your questions, gecko's can sometimes go on a hunger strike during shedding process, but it typically does not last more than a week and they do not lose weight. The longest hunger strike I have seen personally is 9 weeks with my gecko, but keep in mind that this gecko is an adult, tested negative for parasites, and did not lose any weight throughout the entire process. She just didn't feel like eating but she was healthy otherwise. So it is a little different than your situation, especially because you have seen weight loss. Appetite and weight loss are the best indicators of a reptiles health. Could you try to post some pictures of your gecko and the set-up so that we can take a look at his weight?

Also, when you are feeding your gecko, do you just drop the food in the tank and check back later, or do you put the food in a dish (excluding crickets), or do you try to get your gecko's attention when you put food in? It might help if you put your finger in front of the hide and move it around to get the geckos attention, and then immediately after drop food in front of the hide. I am wondering if your gecko isn't feeling well, so he isn't going hunting for food. It might help to try this.
 
Grendel

Grendel

New member
I posted the pics. i usually drop the crix in and coax them toward his hide. how much are antiparasite drugs?
 
electrofelt

electrofelt

New member
Usually the antibiotics are about 15 dollars, but the expensive part is seeing the vet. My vet charges me 60 dollars for the appointment, and then he usually wants to do a few extra tests that increases the price. Those are optional, but at the same time they are usually necessary.

From looking at the pictures of your gecko and the set-up, he is very very thin. Part of it may be from stress though because he does not have many places to hide. It's great that you got all the temperatures set up properly, but you should give him some more hides in the tank so he feels secure. For now just use a paper towel/toilet paper roll until you get a chance to buy a pretty one. I would put in at least two more hides in the tank. You should also have a humid hide in there to help him shed. This can be made of a tupperware container with a hole cut on one side (make sure there are no sharp edges) and damp paper towels inside. Put this humid hide on the warm side of the tank.

I would suggest you try offering him some mealworm "guts" from an eye dropper to help get some nutrients in him. You may also want to look into making him a slurry if he continues to refuse food. There is a very good slurry recipe by Marcia from Golden Gate Geckos that you should try. The recipe can be found here: Golden Gate Geckos Information

I am worried that he is very thin. Try to get those extra hides in there as soon as you can. I would also try to give him as much quite alone time as possible. If he is in a room that has loud noises or is busy, you may want to consider moving him to a quiet room until he starts feeling better.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Grendel said:
@ electrofelt
yes he has lost a lot of weight but i have yet to see any more bowel problems. during his "issues" he would defecate once a day. he hasnt since i bought the new bulb. He has a pencil tail can he survive another week? (hes a juvenile) he still has only eaten one cricket (unconfirmed)
Click to expand...

You mention a "bulb" here. What kind? Is it a red bulb or a ceramic heat emitter? Regular incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescents, or fluorescent strip lighting are way too bright for your leo and would be an additional source of stress.

Do you have a digital thermometer to monitor the temperatures in his tank?

Saw your pics. Add some toilet paper roll hides and a larger fake (silk) plant/leaves which can be purchased at many Dollar stores.

Until you make the slurry, get some Gerber's chicken baby food and mix in phosphorous-free calcium with D3. I like the Rep-Cal brand.
 
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