african fat tailed gecko dehydrated?

[darttheleo]

Hey! I brought home an african fat tailed gecko last night! She is a female, a little under a year I believe. I haven't figured out a name yet! She didn't eat last night when I offered her crickets and mealworms but I figured that might be due to the move. But this morning when she pooped her urate was almost orange. I'm figuring she is dehydrated and might be a bit lethargic due to that and may have lost her appetite. She was also in with a larger male at the store who was picking on her and biting her so I figured she might have been battling for food for awhile. Although today is only the second day I've had her and I'm hoping she just becomes more active now that she is in a better environment, is there anything I can do in the mean time to make sure she is taking in the proper amount of water? I have moss in a tupperware container that is getting misted to promote humidity for her and I've misted down some of her vines as well but I don't know how to make sure she is actually drinking/to increase her appetite and want to drink. If you have any tips please let me know!

(I know I should just wait till her next poop to see if her urate turns white but if there is anyone who has experienced something similar and could give some advice that would be awesome!)

Also, do african fat tailed geckos need to have a calcium dish available like leopard geckos do?
Thanks.

 

[acpart]

Sometimes I see a yellow cast to the urates and it frequently resolves fairly soon. I can't remember whether discolored urates are a symptom of something in particular or not (but I"m sure someone will chime in at some point). Short of dropping water on her nose I think you're doing all you can. Give her time to settle in.

It's debatable about whether leopard geckos should have dishes of calcium in the cage. Some people say yes and some say no due to worry that the gecko will get too much calcium which can be a problem. I successfully use Repashy Calcium plus and dust the feeders without putting any in the cage.

Aliza

 

[darttheleo]

Okay thanks so much!! I gave her a short, warm bath last night and I think that helped her feel a little better. Thanks so much for your advice though

 

[darttheleo]

aft not eating

Hi, I posted on here a couple days ago about my new gecko who seemed dehydrated due to the color of her urate. But after a nice looking poop I've been concerned about her appetite. She turns away when food is offered to her and has no interest in the crickets or mealworms that I've offered her. She's pooped twice in the three nights that I've had her so I assume she has been eating but I am still worried. Is there anything else I can offer her that might spike her interest or get her appetite back up? I've heard that if it gets really serious meat flavored baby food can be offered drop by drop but I don't want to start something like that if its not necessary. She seems a bit skinny but her tail still has a good width. I understand that its possible that shes just not eating in front of me and is still nervous in her new habitat but I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice!! Thanks so much

 

[Hilde]

I've merged both threads, since it's the same gecko, and most likely related problems.
It's easier this way, everything is in one thread.

 

[darttheleo]

Thank you! Sorry I’m still not sure how to work this

 

[acpart]

Hi, I posted on here a couple days ago about my new gecko who seemed dehydrated due to the color of her urate. But after a nice looking poop I've been concerned about her appetite. She turns away when food is offered to her and has no interest in the crickets or mealworms that I've offered her. She's pooped twice in the three nights that I've had her so I assume she has been eating but I am still worried. Is there anything else I can offer her that might spike her interest or get her appetite back up? I've heard that if it gets really serious meat flavored baby food can be offered drop by drop but I don't want to start something like that if its not necessary. She seems a bit skinny but her tail still has a good width. I understand that its possible that shes just not eating in front of me and is still nervous in her new habitat but I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice!! Thanks so much

Your best bet is to keep offering, not bother her too much, keep an eye on the size of her tail, and not worry too much. They can go much longer than you'd expect not eating without consequences.

Aliza

 

[darttheleo]

Hey, update on my little aft girl! She seems to be doing better, she seems hydrated and is active when I take her out. But she still doesn’t eat in front of me, I assume she’s eating though cause she’s been pooping. But I just noticed little marks around her mouth. She has one that’s the main one and then it seems like a smaller one on the other side that my camera won’t even focus on. It doesn’t look like a sore in my opinion but I just wanted some advice. Thanks!