nadine's indo-pacific house gecko

[nadinelovesgeckos]

Thinking back she did start to lower her food intake slightly right before her shed. I thought originally that was why she was eating less. Between shedding and me moving her back and forth for her bath. She does look at food and sometimes chase the crickets away, but she does not appear to want to eat. She is not hiding, just chilling out. The weight loss does concern me though. If she does not improve in the next couple of days with gradual warming.....she's off to the vet.

 

[thorrshamri]

She might have internal parasites too, which would explain her appetite issues. Can you take a fresh sample of her stools to your local reptile vet?
The relatively low temps probably also lessens her appetite and make her weaker, you are fully right to slowly increase the temps. I never recommend brumation on geckos of less than 1 yo.

 

[nadinelovesgeckos]

Yes, Monday I should be able to take the vet a fresh sample.
I did not intentionally want to brumate her. I think she might be sort of hibernating like the locals instinctually, but not sure.
Thank you for all of your help. I am currently researching other beginner species. She has given me the gecko bug. lol I am looking into maybe a gecko that is more active and gets larger, maybe 7-12 inches. Sometime in the future after I do more research though.

 

[thorrshamri]

Keep us posted about what the vet finds (or not)
Would you want a species for display only or one you could handle? Are you into geckos with bright colors or rather into those using camouflage?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Indy usually eats one or two appropriately sized crickets or mothsevery day or every other day. When she was shedding it dropped to only a couple a week. She does look a little thinner to me and has not eaten in three days. She is drinking water and has some "output", mostly white. She is small so it doesnt take many days without food for her to look smaller. I am starting to warm her enclosure very gradually, like when those who brumate "warm them up". After doing some more reading this morning on the subject of brumation that is done on purpose, I think local area house geckos are sort of hibernating because I have not seen them out for a month now. Our local temps here in Jacksonville, Florida, USA have gotten cooler slightly in the 60's day and 50's at night. More importantly it has been overcast with very few sunny days. Although I turn on her nightlight in the evening to simulate the moon, I do not normally put a light on her during the day. Maybe she is just following her instinctual desire to hibernate as she was wild caught.?

The white "output" you see is urates.

 

[nadinelovesgeckos]

Elizabeth, Thank you, I forgot what it was called. lol
Since Indy is definately a display only gecko, I think I would like one that could be handled a bit more. I think really all geckos are not fond of being handled but some are more tolerant than others it seems. As for color, I believe they are all beautiful! Cammo, gray, or full of color!! Maybe one that is more ground dwelling also. A friend recommended a leo but I think they are way over bred for the pet trade by commercial pet stores and I dont want to contribute to that. Thanks again for all of your help.

 

[thorrshamri]

A few suggestions of unusual, yet possible to obtain as captive-bred geckos for reasonable prices, the following species tolerate occasional handling, are mainly ground-dwelling and not too fast:

-Tiger gecko (Pachydactylus tigrinus)
-African fat-tail gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus)
-Chinese cave geckos (Goniurosaurus sp.)
-American "leopard" geckos (Coleonyx sp.)
-Australian barking gecko (Underwoodisaurus milii)

 

[nadinelovesgeckos]

Well Indy must of known she was going to the vet this morning. She ate two small mealworms last night!! I now have a terrific fresh sample to take also. lol I see now that she has some new shed on her back so that may be the reason she is eating less still also. I am sooo happy she ate though and is much more active last night and today.
Thorr, thank you so much for the suggestions. I will do some research on the geckos you recommended.

 

[nadinelovesgeckos]

After all the excitement this morning, I am sorry to say that Indy passed away today on the way to the vet. She had eaten but I think it was too late. Very, very sad right now. Thank you so much for all of your help.

 

[thorrshamri]

so sorry about your loss...at least you really did your best. Hope that will not alter your enthusiasm for geckos!

 

[nadinelovesgeckos]

Thank you Thorr, I needed that. Still love geckos!! Very interesting and unique animals. I am going to learn some more about them and look up the ones you suggested before getting one though. I think she got too stressed between me helping with the shed and moving her. She started to perk up but it was too late.
The outside green anoles and cuban brown anoles will be enjoying their surplus of crickets and mealworms though. I usually give them the ones that were too big for Indy but now the little ones are up for grabs too.

 

[thorrshamri]

Sorry again for Indy; many qualified owners couldn't probably have done better than you did. Please keep us posted about your next step into the gecko world

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

After all the excitement this morning, I am sorry to say that Indy passed away today on the way to the vet. She had eaten but I think it was too late. Very, very sad right now. Thank you so much for all of your help.

Nadine ~

Thanks for sharing about Indy's passing. She has moved to a better place where she is free to move, eat, and drink to her heart's content! You cared for her well being. Great job......

 

[nadinelovesgeckos]

Cuban brown anole, house painted?

I was not sure where to post this but, today our apartment complex exterior was painted. I found what I believe to be a Cuban brown anole (which are very popular here) on my porch painted yellow I gave it a steam bath and was able to get some of it off. I warmed him and was going to try and clean it once more before turning it back free in the morning with a full belly. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could use to help remove exterior house paint?? I used just some tepid water and q-tips but I was thinking maybe a bit of Dawn dishsoap might help also?
Thanks again for all your help. I am thinking of putting a sign outside that says reptile sanctuary and recovery center. lol

 

[thorrshamri]

The only substances I can think of now to remove such paint are highly toxic. Better ask a veterinarian, even though they might be closed now

 

[nadinelovesgeckos]

Thank you, I will pass on any informatio I get for future reference. I couldn't think of any either. I know Dawn dish soap works for oil but I do not know if it is safe for reptiles? Poor thing. I actually got quite a bit off with just a warm water bath/sauna, but his 2 of his poor feet are clumps. (again...little tiny toes. lol)

 

[thorrshamri]

Thank you, I will pass on any informatio I get for future reference. I couldn't think of any either. I know Dawn dish soap works for oil but I do not know if it is safe for reptiles? Poor thing. I actually got quite a bit off with just a warm water bath/sauna, but his 2 of his poor feet are clumps. (again...little tiny toes. lol)

Sorry, I don't know what precisely is "Dawn dish soap" but I would not give it a try...

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I was not sure where to post this but, today our apartment complex exterior was painted. I found what I believe to be a Cuban brown anole (which are very popular here) on my porch painted yellow I gave it a steam bath and was able to get some of it off. I warmed him and was going to try and clean it once more before turning it back free in the morning with a full belly. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could use to help remove exterior house paint?? I used just some tepid water and q-tips but I was thinking maybe a bit of Dawn dishsoap might help also?
Thanks again for all your help. I am thinking of putting a sign outside that says reptile sanctuary and recovery center. lol

Thank you, I will pass on any informatio I get for future reference. I couldn't think of any either. I know Dawn dish soap works for oil but I do not know if it is safe for reptiles? Poor thing. I actually got quite a bit off with just a warm water bath/sauna, but his 2 of his poor feet are clumps. (again...little tiny toes. lol)

Nadine ~

I notice that you live in Florida. How about holding onto this little guy at least through Sunday for more expert opinions. Did you try DAWN liquid dishwashing detergent?

Perhaps on Sunday more ideas will surface. If his feet have been impacted, so will be his climbing and bug-catching abilities :-(.

 

[nadinelovesgeckos]

Elizabeth, I will hold on to the little guy until I can get him cleaned up to normal. I managed to get quit a bit of paint of with warm water spray and "sauna" bath. I did not try the Dawn detergent yet because I have not gotten an answer on if it would harm it or not. Trying not to stress it out too much also as it is wild and I am still morning my Indy
It has two feet that are affected because they are covered with paint and clumped together. One front and one back. It can climb a little still. Poor things eye lids were even covered but a damp tissue took care of most of his face. I am going to change my name to the rescuer. lol

 

[thorrshamri]

Found the solution!
Apply olive oil, then water and "natural" soap (no colorings) then rinse off throroughly with 80°F water
Hope that will work, apparently it is really efficient on human skin, and none of these "ingredients" can harm.