Leopard gecko eating and health

Abbison28

New member
I have a leopard gecko who has an eye infection, I am currently giving him 2 antibiotics. The vet told me to forse feed him, I have been giving him 4-6 mealworms a day. He hasn't eaten anything for about 4 months. Except for about 2 weeks I started giving him mealworms.
My question is how long will it take for his tail to get really fat like before? I'm including a pic of him now image.jpg
And a pic of him before image.jpg
How long until he is that fat again?
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
I have a leopard gecko who has an eye infection, I am currently giving him 2 antibiotics. The vet told me to forse feed him, I have been giving him 4-6 mealworms a day. He hasn't eaten anything for about 4 months. Except for about 2 weeks I started giving him mealworms.
My question is how long will it take for his tail to get really fat like before? I'm including a pic of him now View attachment 22479
And a pic of him before View attachment 22480
How long until he is that fat again?

Can't really answer your question about his weight gain. Just be patient. Hornworms are an excellent feeder for variety and can safely help to add weight. There are some Hornworm Guidelines right in the Leo sub-forum feeder section.

Will he eat independently right now?

Good to hear he is under treatment for his eye infection! What type medicine? Is his eye improving?

What calcium and multivitamins are you using?

If you have recently filled out our Health Questionnaire, please update it and repost it on this thread. If you have not completed it, here it is ;-): http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...68527-helping-your-sick-gecko-read-first.html
 
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Abbison28

New member
He is not eating independently, but if I put my finger out side the cage a wiggle it he moves toward it like he use to with mealworms. The medicine names are Clindamycin and the other is metacam. The second one is for his face, it would swell before, and it also is supposed to be for pain.
His eyes look perfectly clear, but he won't eat by himself.

I will soon get you the completed health questionair
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
He is not eating independently, but if I put my finger out side the cage a wiggle it he moves toward it like he use to with mealworms. The medicine names are Clindamycin and the other is metacam. The second one is for his face, it would swell before, and it also is supposed to be for pain.
His eyes look perfectly clear, but he won't eat by himself.

I will soon get you the completed health questionair

Look forward to seeing the completed Health Questionnaire.

Any chance you can order some very small hornworms online? Most leos love them. Great Lakes Hornworms is one source.
 

Abbison28

New member
General Information
Species of lizard: leopard gecko
Gecko's name: Rico
Morph: ?
Gender: female
Age: 2 years
Weight: 24 grams
Total length: 7in
Length of your reptile when you first acquired it: 3in
Source (pet store, breeder, previous owner): pet store
Captive bred or wild caught: captive bred

Vivarium
Enclosure dimensions (length x width x heighth): ?
Cage (type, size): aquarium 10 gallon
Substrate provided: reptil carpet
Types of hiding places provided: toliet paper tube, tunnel thing
Is there a humidity hide? location? On warm side
Please describe any other furnishings: fake plant, hammock, climbing thing
List recent changes in the environment, if any: none

Lighting
Artificial lighting
Incandescent (“screw-in” bulbs): wattage(s): ?
Fluorescent (tube bulbs): ?
Access to ambient daylight from a distant window: no

Heating
Do you have a thermometer(s) in the cage? Yes
What type and brand of thermometer (digital with probe, temperature gun, LCD strip, analog (circle), combo digital thermometer/hygrometer, stainless steel aquarim type, other): 2 theremometers 1hygrometer
What is the ground temperature right on the substrate under the warm dry hide: 89
What is the air temperature on the warm end about 4 inches up from the ground: 91
What is the air temperature on the cool end about 4 inches up from the ground: 75
What device(s) are used to maintain the temperature (Under Tank Heater, heat light, ceramic heat emitter, Flexwatt heat tape, hot rock, other): heat pad, 2 lights one is a heat lamp the other I can't remember
Ventilation space for your UTH by elevating the tank above the shelf (some UTHs come with sticky feet for the tank corners): ?
Are you using a thermostat(s)? No
Which hide does she/he spend most of her time? The tunnel
Is the temperature decreased at night? by how much? 7

Humidity
Is the humidity measured? Yes
Humidity range: 30

Diet
Insects and worms, list type: mealworms
Regular diet fed to the insects and worms: ?
Are the insects and worms formally “gutloaded” 1-2 days prior to feeding off to your gecko? If so with? No
How often do you feed your gecko? Daily
Please list any supplements (with brand names) used. How are they given and how often? ?
What calcium brand are you using? with D3, without or both? With D3
Is the calcium in the tank with D3 or without? ?
Multivitamins (include brand name)? None
Please list any recent additions/changes in the diet: started forse feeding mealworms

General Health
If your gecko is sick, please describe the signs and how long your gecko has been showing these signs: eye infection. 4 months
Is your gecko’s general activity level normal, decreased, or increased? Increased
Is your gecko’s appetite normal, decreased, or increased? Decreased
Have you noticed any of the following?
Weight (loss or gain): loss
Discharge from the eyes or nose: not recently
Increased breathing rate or effort: no
Change in the droppings: no
Urates
---white or yellowish: white
---size of urates as compared to size of feces: smaller
Abnormal skin color or shedding: no
Parasites on the skin or in the feces: no
Weakness:

Previous problems and/or illnesses: no

Other Critters in Same Cage or in Household
List other animals that are kept in the same cage: none
Recent acquisitions (new pets within the past 6 months): none
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
It is super important to provide ventilation for the Under Tank Heater by raising the tank off the stand. This applies unless the tank sits on a stand which is open underneath. Otherwise there exists a FIRE risk due to the UTH overheating!!!

You mention daily feeding. How often have you been dusting with the calcium with D3? Brand? Just use the calcium with D3 no more than 2-3x per week. Recommend Zoo Med's Reptivite multivitamin which not only provides D3, but also A acetate.

At 2 yo a leo should weigh over 50 grams :-(

Need 3 hides: warm dry hide, warm moist hide (humidity hide), and cool dry hide.

Best to get a tank which measures: 30 x 12 x 12 inches.

Your warm air temps are too warm.

Temperatures for all leos regardless of size:
88-93 F (31-34 C) ground temp at warm end inside the warm dry hide
no greater than 85 F (29.5 C) air temp - 4 inches above ground on the warm end
no greater than 75 F (24.5) air temp - 4 inches above ground on the cool end

Leave the UTH on 24/7. Can turn off overhead heating at night.

I will be checking in tomorrow with other feedback.
 
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Abbison28

New member
I have not been dusting the mealworms with calcium, before I did ( when he ate on his own)
I know he is very underweight. His Stomach keeps getting fatter not his tail, is that because he was so undernurished before, and is trying just to regain strength and muscle?
I had 3 hides before but he would never go in them.
The vet said his tank was not warm enough, and recommend the 2nd light.
 

Abbison28

New member
His eyes look clear, I don't think he has an infection any more, but I don't know, he has skin stuck in both eyes still, in the very corner. He still is not eatin independently though.
A problem is that we are going on vacation in a week and a half, the people who will be watching him won't be able to forse feed him or give him his antibiotic. Last summer they watched him and just put mealworms in his tank and water. We will be gone about 2 weeks. So I'm hoping he will be able 2 last those weeks with out food. He has no fat on his tail but his stomach is large. Do you think he will live through those 2 weeks?
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
His eyes look clear, I don't think he has an infection any more, but I don't know, he has skin stuck in both eyes still, in the very corner. He still is not eatin independently though.
A problem is that we are going on vacation in a week and a half, the people who will be watching him won't be able to forse feed him or give him his antibiotic. Last summer they watched him and just put mealworms in his tank and water. We will be gone about 2 weeks. So I'm hoping he will be able 2 last those weeks with out food. He has no fat on his tail but his stomach is large. Do you think he will live through those 2 weeks?

Any chance you can make different arrangements to care for your leo while you are away? A large tummy = maybe a swollen tummy...not fat.

Can you try the "humidity chamber" assist for stuck eye/head skin listed towards the end of the Leo Caresheet (again, if necessary)? Crucial to gently remove all stuck skin in and around the eyes!

Please share a current photo. Cricket4u can tell about hydration just by looking. Good skill :)

That is a hard call to make: a leopard gecko not doing well to begin with and 2 weeks with no food??? Is he drinking fresh water on his own.

It is super important to pick up some Fluker's Repti+Boost (or better yet Carnivore Care from Rico's vet) to feed him now and while you are gone!! Some PetCo's carry that. However, to really be safe, your leo needs to be properly hydrated.
 
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cricket4u

New member
Elizabeth, there's a picture posted in post #2 and yes in that picture he is dehydrated.

Abbison28~ you must make all the corrections suggested by Elizabeth in order for this gecko to eat before it's too late. You mention 2 thermometers, of what type? Did you buy a thermostat?
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Elizabeth, there's a picture posted in post #2 and yes in that picture he is dehydrated.

Abbison28~ you must make all the corrections suggested by Elizabeth in order for this gecko to eat before it's too late. You mention 2 thermometers, of what type? Did you buy a thermostat?

Thanks, Cricket! I am also hoping for a picture as of today :)

Abbison28 ~

The thermostat will fine tune the temperatures in Rico's tank and lessen the chance of overheating. I would check Big Apple Herp's temperature differential for their BAH 1000 thermostat. Currently that one costs $45.

BTW, there are about 5 different thermostats recommended in the Leo Caresheet \/ with links.
 
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Abbison28

New member
No we can't find anyone who wants to forse feed him. I'm pretty sure it is fat, it does not look swollen
I don't know if he is drinking water on his own. So I give him water through a syringe
What should the picture be of? His eye?
I have some Fluker's Repti+ Boost
How would they feed it to him when I am gone? You feed it through a syringe...
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
No we can't find anyone who wants to forse feed him. I'm pretty sure it is fat, it does not look swollen
I don't know if he is drinking water on his own. So I give him water through a syringe
What should the picture be of? His eye?
I have some Fluker's Repti+ Boost
How would they feed it to him when I am gone? You feed it through a syringe...

I don't know what type, they have dials...
I do not have a thermostat

Please post a current picture of Rico's whole body and of the thermometers. Really need a good quality digital thermometer with a probe.

If he won't drink on his own, things do not look good. Don't think he could live for 2 weeks with no water :-(.

Have you a soft tip for the syringe to make the feeding go easier? Maybe Rico will lap the Repti+Boost off his snout in your absence?

Repti+Boost is an all-in-one food, calcium, and vitamin mix. As soon as Rico is eating on his own, you need to add something like Zoo Med's Reptivite with D3/vitamin A acetate lightly dusted on his prey 2x per week.

Have you tried crickets, especially slowing them down by cutting off the jumper legs? Perhaps the mealworms have caused discomfort or something, so that Rico has learned from experience to avoid them?
 
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Abbison28

New member
image.jpgimage.jpg
That is the warm side thermometer
He might be drinking water. Sometimes at night I turn on his light and he is by the water bowl, I don't see him drinking but maybe he is...
The syringe is not soft tipped.
Do you mean have the people watching him put some on his snout to lick off?
I will try to get some crickets soon.
He has only eaten crickets before when he just stopped eating mealworms. So we called the pet store and they suggested crickets we tried them and he ate them. But they were such a hassle. They would jump out of the container and I would have to watch him eat them for a long time. (I watched them so they wouldn't bite him)
I will try to get some if not today then later this week.
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
View attachment 22722View attachment 22723
That is the warm side thermometer
He might be drinking water. Sometimes at night I turn on his light and he is by the water bowl, I don't see him drinking but maybe he is...
The syringe is not soft tipped.
Do you mean have the people watching him put some on his snout to lick off?
I will try to get some crickets soon.
He has only eaten crickets before when he just stopped eating mealworms. So we called the pet store and they suggested crickets we tried them and he ate them. But they were such a hassle. They would jump out of the container and I would have to watch him eat them for a long time. (I watched them so they wouldn't bite him)
I will try to get some if not today then later this week.

What brand is the circular/analog thermometer? Please check it against a trusted thermometer for accuracy?

Soft tipped syringes are safer.

Crickets are well-balanced nutritionally for leos, better than mealworms in nutritional content. Hope any "hassle" is worth it for a live and healthier pet leo.

Yes, that's exactly what I mean: Have the people who care for him place the Repti+Boost powder right on his snout.
 
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Abbison28

New member
Sorry, I don't know what brand it is.
What do you mean by soft tip this is a pic of the syringe image.jpg
Yes I would do so much to make him healthier. I will get the crickets soon!
Ok that is a good idea.
He is licking his eye a lot is that because he is trying to get skin out?
 
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