Leopard gecko eating problem

Abbison28

New member
The vet said that the cage was a little cool so that is why I made it higher
Thermometer is a dial
I used to have 3 hides but she would never go in them
I had crushed walnuts before, but then I learned that it is very bad and can cause impaction
There is some moss on the carpet
I usually clean it every 2 weeks
 

Embrace Calamity

New member
The dial thermometers aren't always accurate. I would suggest picking up a digital thermometer with a probe (or two). That way you can get a better idea of what the temps are with some more certainty. And I assume the vet checked for impaction? You said the activity level has increased - how so? Does that mean no longer staying in one spot 24/7 or constantly running around?

With your gecko being sick, you should definitely clean the enclosure much more often. I'd recommend daily. It might even be a good idea to ditch the carpet and put in paper towels for now, since the carpet holds and grows a lot of stuff.

~Maggot
 

Abbison28

New member
Yes
Well during the day she is always moving a little bit
During the night I hear her walking around and she is very noisy
Ok I'll clean it more
 

Embrace Calamity

New member
I believe PetSmart is still having its sale on aquariums at $1/gallon, so now would be a great time to pick up a 20 LONG and a lid (plus those thermometers). Your gecko will be much happier with more space and a better temp gradient. If you can do that, then place hides on each end, a humid hide in the middle, and maybe even a third dry hide in the middle, that would be a great improvement. That way your gecko can choose lots of different places. Your gecko needs secure areas of different temperatures to keep his body working the best it can so he can eat and fight off the infection. And be sure to raise the corners of the enclosure so that the excess heat from the UTH can escape.

Also, what brand of calcium are you using?

~Maggot
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
"Bug Slurry recipe" not good :-( & why

You may need to make a slurry and feed him via syringe until his eyes are all better. Also, I second what cricket has said: it is best to have the vet remove the retained shed.

Can you give me a slurry recipe, I could not find one online...

Here's a cut & paste:

#53---Bug Slurry feedback from exotics veterinarian Dr. Burgess
Response from Dr. Burgess regarding the use of the Bug Slurry recipe:

- He states that using Hill's A/D alone is sufficient.
- He says that feeding a leopard gecko mealworms is like a steady diet of McDonald's French Fries, and should only be fed sparingly.
- He says that baby food squash has too many carbohydrates for carnivorous reptiles like leopard geckos.
- He recommends using aquatic turtle chow in the blender with the Hill's A/D.
- He does not like the use of commercially formulated reptile supplements.
- He recommends a diet with a 2:1 Ca/P ratio for complete reptile nutrition.
- He does not recommend using Ensure because it is developed for humans.

Originally Posted by Dr. Burgess
geckos-- they ARE carnivores; (insectivores = carnivores, not herbivores). They simply subsist on (mostly) invertebrate prey rather than vertebrate, but that still qualifies as a high protein/low plant-fiber diet. Some larger geckos will eat pinky mice, fish, etc, if offered. But even if they don't, 'insectivore' is just a sub-group of 'carnivore'.

Originally Posted by Dr. Burgess
as far as supplement powders, it's not just that nutrient content may need to vary with species; it was also that the dose of ANY powder should vary with body size (even between baby and adult geckos, for instance) ... and this isn't accounted for with those products, making them impossible to dose with high accuracy. Again, it's another risk factor when using powders; no one really knows what the exact dose should be; overdosage is very common, though may take months to years to produce fatality in many cases. I have most my reptile patients completely off of all vitamin-mineral supplements, and if the diet is good, they have no nutrient problems at all. Just like in the wild.
 
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Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Abbison28 ~

There is a huge amount of information in the Leopard Gecko Caresheet linked below in my signature. Much of the info you are looking for is right there. Please give it a read :).

All our time is precious. It is all that we have. It's difficult not to easily get burned out from repeating ourselves :sad:.

I appreciate you filling out the caresheet more thoroughly this time. Please be sure to reply to Embrace Calamity's questions above.
 
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