My leopard gecko regurgitated 4 days ago, wont eat and is very sleepy... Help?

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tangixanga

New member
I'm never had any problems with my first leopard gecko. She's about a year and a half old and has never had any problems, ever. Recently, she regurgitated her (what appeared to be) shed skin on Wednesday. She did that early morning and had appeared tired all day. There was two sleeves of shed left in her hide that she didn't eat. My family and I figured she just ate too much and coughed it back up... No one noticed any mishaps on Thursday, but we gave her time to rest and didn't try to feed her as she was still tired. Friday morning came and I witnessed her spit up some just swallowed water and shake herself somewhat violently... I've never seen them throw up before so I dont know what they do... My dad was trying to convince me she just choked on water, and it did happen right after she took a drink. I'm not sure what to believe. Saturday nothing happened, except my dad told me she was gagging, or at least sitting in her spot where she's puked before and opened her mouth a few times. He said she made no noise... Today we got her a new bulb and lamp to keep the heating better, and higher. (95 or so now). She seemed very sleepy when I tried to feed her which was late at night. She squinted and lied down even with worms in front of her. I'm not sure what to do, the closest vet we have is two hours away, and we don't have a lot of free time to travel at the moment. What could be wrong, if anything?

Also want to note, before we got the new lamp, she mostly would lay out underneath her heating lamp and not in her hides. Its unusual for her because she usually hides when people are in the room. She's smaller than my younger one but always has been. Her tummy is normal color, and she's always felt very light...
 
T

tangixanga

New member
I will fill that out here soon... But she hasn't ate anything since, and by this Sunday it will be two weeks since she's tried eating. She's still drinking cuz she produces urate. But today she pooped on the floor and when I went to clean it up it wasn't even near my face and I could smell it. It wasn't completely intolerable it was just strong. She looks like she has a bloated belly... I don't have any near by access to a vet. If anyone that has had the same problem could give me suggestions of what it might be or how to help it, that would be nice.

We cleaned her items in the cage and the cage itself this last Sunday. She seemed active that day but she's still lethargic now...
 
cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
tangixanga said:
I will fill that out here soon... But she hasn't ate anything since, and by this Sunday it will be two weeks since she's tried eating. She's still drinking cuz she produces urate. But today she pooped on the floor and when I went to clean it up it wasn't even near my face and I could smell it. It wasn't completely intolerable it was just strong. She looks like she has a bloated belly... I don't have any near by access to a vet. If anyone that has had the same problem could give me suggestions of what it might be or how to help it, that would be nice.

We cleaned her items in the cage and the cage itself this last Sunday. She seemed active that day but she's still lethargic now...
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I'm sorry, but lethargic should never wait. If it's very strong odored it's possible she has a bacterial infection which needs to be treated with antibiotics. Lethargy is nothing to take lightly. I suggest you make the effort to get her seen by a vet. Make sure the temperatures in her enclosure are correct.

20 gallon minimum
Thermometer w/probe or Temp gun for accuracy
3 hides absolute minimum - 1 cool side- 1 warm side- humidity hide closer to the warm end
UTH on one side of enclosure on 24/7.
Daytime Temp: Temp right above heat mat floor 90-95 F (observe gecko for comfort level) If they spend too much time in the cool hide chances are it's too hot or the hide is not as secure as the other. **If your gecko sleeps out of the hide or half way out changes are it's too hot under the hide. A common problem in small hides (too much heat becomes trapped inside).
Air temp: 77 cool side- 85 warmest end max unless a large enclosure with various temps is provided. Most people need an overhead heat source to achieve temp.
Nightime Temp: 70's is fine for air temp.
Water dish: Not to be placed directly over the heat mat area unless another cool water dish for drinking is provided. My geckos have 2 water dishes and always drink from the cool water.

For beginners I recommend Zoo Med Brand supplements with Reptivite listed below:
Plain calcium (no D3) a dish can be kept in the enclosure
Calcium with D3 (phosphorus free) D3 Should not be used at each feeding. Read through threads and educate yourself regarding the risk of D3 overdose.
Multivitamin- Reptivite Should not be used at every feeding due to the risk of Vitamin overdose, especially Vitamin A. Once a week is recommended.

Substrate: slate tiles highly recommended (easy to clean, looks nice, no risk of impaction)
Variety of insects- must be gutloaded, waxworms are high in fat, high in phosphorus and should be avoided.

Also read: Leopard Gecko Care Recommendations in a Nutshell...19 February 2012 update
 
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cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
This sounds like temperatures started the problem. Make sure the temps are appropriate and monitored from now on.
 
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tangixanga

New member
My temperatures are at 90 now.

Maybe I'm not quiet clear though. Could you explain to me what exactly a lethargic leopard gecko would act like? Maybe I'm mistaking it for just a little more sleepy. She's usually quiet active when out of her cage with us. Just recently if she's lying on our warm spots she starts to shut her eyes. She's never been the type to fall asleep on us. But for the few days she's still seemed alert when we pass by. She doesn't appear to have lost weight either. Going to try and feed her soon, and her belly is still round/full looking.
 
cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
tangixanga said:
My temperatures are at 90 now.

Maybe I'm not quiet clear though. Could you explain to me what exactly a lethargic leopard gecko would act like? Maybe I'm mistaking it for just a little more sleepy. She's usually quiet active when out of her cage with us. Just recently if she's lying on our warm spots she starts to shut her eyes. She's never been the type to fall asleep on us. But for the few days she's still seemed alert when we pass by. She doesn't appear to have lost weight either. Going to try and feed her soon, and her belly is still round/full looking.
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Well since you used the word I thought you knew what it meant.:biggrin:
They would appear weak, sluggish, listlessness and when you pick them up they will be more docile than normal. Make sure the air temp is warm as well and not just belly heat.
 
cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
cricket4u said:
Well since you used the word I thought you knew what it meant.:biggrin:
They would appear weak, sluggish, listlessness and when you pick them up they will be more docile than normal. Make sure the air temp is warm as well and not just belly heat.
Click to expand...

Also if she is keeping her eyes closed more than normal in places where she would normally not fall asleep, it can be a sign of discomfort. Belly pain is very common especially if you are feeding worms hard to digest and she did not have enough heat. It would be best to avoid hard chitin worms and offer softer insects as precaution. If something made her feel ill she will refuse it until she feels better or can no longer tolerate the hunger. This is only the case in the smarter ones. Again if her feces smell very strong or runny chances are she will need a vet and medication. You never provided full details so keep an eye on her belly for eggs as well.
 
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tangixanga

New member
I'm back (unfortunately). I had decided to leave her alone for awhile to see how she does. You wouldn't happen to think that 95 degrees was too hot at all would you? Thermometer is closest to heat lamp (lamp is 100watts) we've had it for a couple days and my mom said she acted very tired today and got up around and dry heaved/gagged for the first time since the first week she was sick (as far as we've noticed).

We really don't have a quick, easy access to the vet but I wish we did... Her tail has shrunk and tonight I tried feeding her chicken baby food. She licked some off my finger and my mom said I should try doing this a few times a day. She also drank water from her spoon for me. I'm glad but I know its going to be a long ways until she's actually better. My mom and I are looking into trying the gecko slurry/slurpy... Do you think we should actually dry that or are there other options we could try if it fails...?
 
cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
Hi,

We do not have psychic abilities and cannot see her enclosure from here.:biggrin: I asked you before to provide me with the details. That is the only way we can try to figure out what is going on. At least if it's related to husbandry.

Edit: I just realized she has regurgitated more than once which cannot be ignored. I also provided you with how to set up her enclosure properly just incase it was due to low temps. Now things have progressed and like I mentioned twice before she needs to see a vet. No matter what you feed her she will continue to decline if it's due to parasites or infection. Under these conditions she will not recover unless she is treated. You cannot wait till the last minute, if you do you risk losing her. Chicken baby food is not appropriate. I have never known of a vet that will treat without evaluating the patient first, but I guess it's possible as thehotchik1000 mentioned.

She sounds like she is doing very poorly and it's your responsibility to get her medical attention when needed. I can only imagine 100 watts to be too hot and if she is suffering from dehydration, forcing her to eat will only make things terribly worst.
 
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thehotchik1000

thehotchik1000

New member
Regurges, strong smelly poop or diarrhea, weakness, lethargicness, decreased appetite and bloated belly are all signs of Gi issues. The main reason is usually parasites, or bacterial infections. I would absolutely get a fecal sample into a vet ASAP. I have sent them by mail before to my vet. He's only like an hour and a half away from me but I couldnt get out there and they were just check up fecals. In any case you need to get a sample of her feces to a vet to get it looked at. When there are issues as such it's important to have them start looking for answers immediately. Parasites and bacterial infections both can be treated easily if caught in time.


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