Leo not eating and glass climbing

[Leo2020]

Hello- my sons leopard gecko he bought in July has for the last 4-5 days not been eating like normal and doing a lot of constant climbing on hides and glass climbing. He usually eats meal worms as soon he is fed, but we have only been able to get him to eat twice in the last about 5 days. We are trying to decide how to know when this warrants a visit to the vet. Attached are pictures of our Leo.

 

[acpart]

It looks like a healthy well-fed gecko who, hopefully, is getting calcium and vitamin D3 in addition to his mealworms. Sometimes they go on hunger strikes and they can last awhile. It's fine. Keep offering and try to be patient. Even the trying to climb the walls isn't unusual. Sometimes they just do that and then they get tired of it and do something else!

Aliza

 

[Leo2020]

Yes, getting calcium and d3 with mealworms. His sudden change in behavior and not eating has my son worried. We are trying to maybe go to an every other day feed and see if he is more into the feeds. Going to try doing crickets later in the week.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Yes, getting calcium and d3 with mealworms. His sudden change in behavior and not eating has my son worried. We are trying to maybe go to an every other day feed and see if he is more into the feeds. Going to try doing crickets later in the week.

Please elaborate on your "calcium and d3". Please include brand names and your leo's age. Sometimes there is confusion there.

Based upon his size, he has "reserves"!

 

[Leo2020]

Leo is roughly 9 months old. My son got him August 8th. Rep-Cal Calcium with Vitamin D3 is what has been dusted on mealworms or crickets a couple time a week.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Leo is roughly 9 months old. My son got him August 8th. Rep-Cal Calcium with Vitamin D3 is what has been dusted on mealworms or crickets a couple time a week.

Your leo looks OK -- just a bit hefty.

How long is your leo from tail tip to snout? That will put your image into perspective.

What do you feed the mealworms and the crickets prior to giving them to your leo?

Rep-Cal's Calcium with D3 contains HUGE amounts of D3: 400,000 IU per kg! I recommend reducing Rep-Cal's Calcium with D3 to a light dusting @ 1 feeding per week. Reason why is because vitamin D3 is fat soluble. A light D3 dusting per week on the bugs or worms sticks around in a leo's body all week long and metabolizes calcium. When it expires I suggest Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3 instead.

For link 24 click: Calcium powders with D3 ONLY -- March 2021 (update)​

In addition I recommend a multivitamin without D3 when using calcium + D3. I use Zoo Med's supplements for all my geckos.

It's usually recommended to feed a 9 month old leo 3x per week. Reduce feedings to 2 per week based upon your leo's girth. An alternative is to reduce the amount you feed per feeding.

Weekly Schedule 124 for Leopard Geckos 0-12 months old
(withOUT UVB)​

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) symptoms include uneven (lopsided) gait, walking on one or both "elbows", bowed limbs, belly dragging, and an underbite. Difficulty chewing should be closely monitored.

The Reptile Supply Company based in Lodi, California stocks Zoo Med's ReptiVite multivitamins withOUT D3.

During this time your leopard gecko will be transitioning from daily feeding to feeding 3x per week. This all depends upon how fast your leo grows!

Feed lightly dusted prey 3x per week.

• Monday > > crickets or dubia lightly dusted with Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3
• Tuesday > > mealworms, superworms, or black soldier fly larvae (Phoenix worms) > > no dusting
• Wednesday > > crickets or dubia lightly dusted with pure precipitated calcium carbonate withOUT D3 (Zoo Med's Repti Calcium or NOW's human-grade pure calcium carbonate)
• Thursday > > mealworms, superworms, or black soldier fly larvae (Phoenix worms) > > no dusting
• Friday > > crickets or dubia lightly dusted with Zoo Med's ReptiVite multivitamins withOUT D3
• Saturday > > mealworms, superworms, or black soldier fly larvae (Phoenix worms) > > no dusting
• Sunday > > no food or free choice > > no dusting

For link 124 click: Weekly Feeding & Supplement Schedule 124 for leopard geckos 0-12 months old