Two month old Leopard Gecko not eating regularly. Help?

[cricket4u]

You mentioned a 75 watt basking bulb and a UVB bulb. The basking bulb should be on a timer set to go off at night. What type of UVB bulb are you using? You have to be careful using UVB with leos as too much exposure can be harmful especially if you are dusting with D3. What morph of gecko do you have?

Also make sure you are feeding and offering a water source to the insects. If not you will not be providing your gecko with proper nutrition.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I have a temperature gradient, I just have never heard it called that before
How big should the hides be?
So I need:
20 long tank
2 more hides
UTH
Repashy calcium plus

Anything else?
And thank you so much. This is so helpful to me.
My gecko is becoming more interested in me, should I not handle him/her until it starts eating?

20 gallon LONG: 30 x 12 x 12 inches with screen top
Exo-Terra has one: 36 x 18 x 12 inches Has front doors.

Moist warm hide can be made from an opaque inverted plastic tub.

UTH: 1/3 the length of the tank and nearly as wide. For 20 gallon LONG, buy 30-40 gallon-sized UTH.

2 thermostats: one for UTH & 2nd for overhead with bulb (? CHE). Both those set at different temps.

Thermostats: Hydrofarm MTPRTC = $25 with small metal probe and digital readout. Amazon carries.

Consider getting porcelain or ceramic tiles for the substrate: 6 x 6s, 12 x 12x, or a combo.

Temps you wish ;-):
88-93 F under warm dry hide
no greater than 85 F - 4 inches above ground on warm side
no greater than 75 F = 4 inches above ground on cool side

Keep UTH on 24/7. Turn off overhead fixture(s) at night.

 

[miss katie]

I am aware that the Reptivite is a all-in one vitamin, and that it does have calcium and Vitamin D3. My question was since you are to use the Reptivite only a couple times per week, the other feedings within that same week what would be appropriate to use to dust the meal worms and or crickets with, since the Reptivite is not intended to be used every feeding?

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I am aware that the Reptivite is a all-in one vitamin, and that it does have calcium and Vitamin D3. My question was since you are to use the Reptivite only a couple times per week, the other feedings within that same week what would be appropriate to use to dust the meal worms and or crickets with, since the Reptivite is not intended to be used every feeding?

No. It covers everything the gecko needs as directed. I'm personally a little wary of Reptivite because it actually contains less vitamin A than Repashy does, which is supposed to be used daily (in comparison to 2-3 times a week for Reptivite). I know people who have switched from Reptivite to Repashy and reported that their gecko's sheds went from being good with occasional slight issues to perfect every time. However, I have personally never used Reptivite so I can't speak against it. It's just not something I'd personally choose to use, but others prefer it. Either way, it covers the necessities.

~Maggot

 

[Speckles]

I am aware that the Reptivite is a all-in one vitamin, and that it does have calcium and Vitamin D3. My question was since you are to use the Reptivite only a couple times per week, the other feedings within that same week what would be appropriate to use to dust the meal worms and or crickets with, since the Reptivite is not intended to be used every feeding?

We use Reptivite and instead of dusting a couple of times per week, we are dusting 1 cricket every feeding, instead of all crickets twice a week. So far we haven't had a single shed issue ::Fingers crossed:: When we feed other feeders, such as hornworms, silkworms, mealworms, etc, we don't dust those. Crickets are the bulk of the diet, though.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I am aware that the Reptivite is a all-in one vitamin, and that it does have calcium and Vitamin D3. My question was since you are to use the Reptivite only a couple times per week, the other feedings within that same week what would be appropriate to use to dust the meal worms and or crickets with, since the Reptivite is not intended to be used every feeding?

The science of reptile nutrition is in its infancy. As far as I know, no one knows exactly how much vitamin A leopard geckos really need.

 

[MichaelPollard_]

I'd like to thank all of you so much for helping me.
I'll be getting all the nessessary supplies ASAP.

 

[MichaelPollard_]

Hi guys! I have an update for you on my gecko's condition.
After this thread was posted I was running all around getting all the things you guys suggested for me.
After March 21st I brought him to the vet at the Petsmart I had originally bought him at. In order for him to get a check up they wanted to keep him at their store for a while to keep an eye on him, which made me nervous at first.

Long story short I got him back today after about 2 weeks of staying at Petsmart. He is now not skinny anymore! He ate perfectly for them at Petsmart. The vet had said a small calcium deficient is all he saw.

Those two weeks gave me perfect time to get the stuff for my tank.
Here is a picture of my tank if you wish to see

(not shown in image: UTH and Thermostat)

My gecko is still scared of me but I'm seeing him out exploring his tank a lot more. He is also eying his mealworms, hopefully he eats.
Thanks again for all your help guys! I'd say he might have died if it wasn't for you guys.

-Michael

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

You are very welcome for the assistance. Nice setup!

Good to hear that your leo got a jumpstart at PetSmart!

I especially like the rock cave on the left! Brand?

Are you concentrating your heat at one end of the tank, so that you have a warm end and a cool end?

Did your UTH come with little sticky feet to elevate the tank off the chest of drawers? Some elevation is necessary to ventilate the UTH from below.

Type of calcium in the bottlecap?

You may wish to have a humid hide that is more closed off in order to maintain humidity for longer.

 

[MichaelPollard_]

Here is a link to the rock cave: All Living Things&#0174 Boulder Series Desert Cave

Yes, the warm end is 83-85 degrees air temp and 88-90 floor temp under the warm hide (left side)
Cool end is about 73-75 ground and air temp.

Yes, it is raised up by the sticky feet it came with.

I'm pretty sure it's reptil-cal. I read the ingredients and it's pure calcium, no D3 or vitamin A etc.

I bought that hide to fit my old 10 gallon tank cause I was running out of room. I'll probably get a more closed off one here soon.

Also he ate 3 mealworms last night!

 

[Thin Lizzy]

Here is a link to the rock cave: All Living Things® Boulder Series Desert Cave

Like that hide. Sounds like you're well on your way, I'm sure they'll settle in just fine.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I use a 75 watt basking bulb and a UVB bulb, no under tank heater.
I use calcium powder, that's all right now.

I have a temperature gradient, I just have never heard it called that before
How big should the hides be?
So I need:
20 long tank
2 more hides
UTH
Repashy calcium plus

Anything else?
And thank you so much. This is so helpful to me.
My gecko is becoming more interested in me, should I not handle him/her until it starts eating?

You mentioned a 75 watt basking bulb and a UVB bulb. The basking bulb should be on a timer set to go off at night. What type of UVB bulb are you using? You have to be careful using UVB with leos as too much exposure can be harmful especially if you are dusting with D3. What morph of gecko do you have?

Also make sure you are feeding and offering a water source to the insects. If not you will not be providing your gecko with proper nutrition.

The science of reptile nutrition is in its infancy. As far as I know, no one knows exactly how much vitamin A leopard geckos really need.

Thanks for the link to your rock cave. What is it made from? Link I saw did not say.

Sorry that I failed to focus on this crucial detail earlier :-(. What type and strength is the UVB bulb you mention?

It is very important for you to use either a UVB bulb/tube fluorescent OR a multivitamin containing D3. A 10 gallon tank is too small for a UVB bulb :-(. Zoo Med's Reptivite with vitamin A acetate comes BOTH in formulations WITH and WITHOUT D3. Which kind did you get?

Don't know whether Repashy's Calcium Plus comes with and without vitamin D3!!!

Since you now have the 20 gallon LONG, please check the distance recommendation for your UVB bulb and make some adjustments.

There is a current thread on the GU leo forums where a member has successfully kept their leo with UVB only for 3-4 years now, first with 16.5 inch and now with 18 inch tall tanks. This person is about to upgrade to a 36 x 18 x 12H inch tank and will be making adjustments in the strength/type of UVB.

Is your temperature gradient from the warm end to the cool end? Does the bulb shown in the center of the tank produce any heat?

 

[MichaelPollard_]

I'm not really sure what it's made of, it's heavy and has a realness feel to it.

I had read about the UVB bulbs causing over dosage so I took it out

 

[MichaelPollard_]

Is your temperature gradient from the warm end to the cool end? Does the bulb shown in the center of the tank produce any heat?

Yes it is from the warm end to cool end.
There are three bulbs on the top of the tank, a day basking (75 watt) a night moon glow (100 watt) and a 50 watt moon glow for the cold side (my room is 66 degrees so it's necessary for a 75 degree temp on cold side)

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Just in case, Michael:
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...-feeding-issues/68574-cricket-guidelines.html

Cricket Guidelines
Hassle-free Cricket Care
ElizabethFreer@aol.com
Geckos Unlimited/Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society
13 May 2013 (amended)
(www.GeckosUnlimited.com)

Take a suitably sized container, for instance, an extra large Kritter Keeper or a 56 quart Sterilite bin. Place a good quality all purpose poultry feed (Albers All Purpose Purpose Poultry Feed), dry oatmeal, and alfalfa hay on the bottom of the cage. Add your crickets. Next cover with a double layer of egg cartons. On top of the egg cartons place a paper towel. Spray the paper towel generously every other day. Keep crickets between 70 F and the mid 80s. They will grow faster if warmer, but seem to do fine at 70 F. If room temperatures exceed 85 F spray the paper towel daily.

Spraying the paper towel is an excellent way to provide moisture for your crickets and save them from perishing from too much moisture.

Feed crickets an All Purpose Poultry Feed (contains about 16% protein, 3% fat, & vitamin A acetate), dry oatmeal, alfalfa hay (“Hay-Kob”: 800-332-5623), collard greens, and carrots. General Mills' dry cereal whole grain TOTAL can be used in a pinch.

If your source is pesticide-free with good soil, dandelion flowers and greens can also be fed to the crickets. To make the alfalfa hay easy to chew for young crickets, soak the alfalfa hay in water prior to adding .

Do not feed insects puppy, kitten, dog, and/or cat biscuits/food OR tropical fish flakes. Those are way too high in protein and fat and potentially could cause hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease).

Do not feed dead/canned crickets to your geckos. Any gecko gets moisture from well-hydrated prey as well as the nutrients such prey provides.

By following these recommendations it is quite easy to keep your crickets alive and thriving easily one to two months past purchase.

Formally "gutload" crickets 48 hours prior to feeding off to geckos with T-REX Calcium Plus Food for Crickets.

Gutloading the Feeders versus Feeding the Feeders 24/7
The term gutloading causes some confusion. Feed your feeders a nutritious regular diet all the time to build strong feeder bodies. Then only feed a special GUTLOAD product to the crickets, for example, 1-2 days prior to feeding the crickets to your geckos. T-REX Calcium Plus Cricket Food is a good gutload food. Top off the crickets by lightly dusting with a multivitamin containing D3/vitamin A acetate and phosphorus-free calcium with D3 no more than 2x weekly.


2 March 2013:
Captured directly from Hilde's post #134, 27 Feb 2013, on "spoiled by crickets" thread in the crestie forum:
"If you feed the insects a decent diet full time, not just a day before feeding them off, you really improve the nutrients they'll provide - build a better body, not just fill the relatively short intestinal tract."
Last edited by Elizabeth Freer; 05-14-2013 at 10:35 AM.

 

[jakehinds]

I saw somebody saying that vitamin d3 helps them eat, and I actually saw that vitamin "D" supresses appetite. I can't find anything on "D3" yet.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I saw somebody saying that vitamin d3 helps them eat, and I actually saw that vitamin "D" supresses appetite. I can't find anything on "D3" yet.

Click the above article written by Douglas R. Mader, DVM.

Vitamin D3 is crucial to a gecko's diet. Vitamin D3 helps metabolize calcium. Light dusting 2x per week with a D3 containing calcium supplement is required, unless you have a suitably large tank for a UVB strip fluorescent.

Without a vitamin D3 source, any leo/gecko is at risk for metabolic bone disease. Too much vitamin D3 is harmful as well.

Zoo Med's Reptivite with D3/A acetate is a good multivitamin. So is Zoo Med's ReptiCalcium with D3---but that has no vitamins.