Eating issues, help pleaseee, im really worried he is super skinny

T

Tree

New member
Leopard gecko Eating issues, help, im really worried he is super skinny

Hi, I'm pretty new to leopard geckos, I've only had one which was old and had no issues and passed naturally. However, my new leopard gecko has a partial eyelid (genetic deformity) and (I believe as he doesn't respond to stimulus) is blind and he has always been spotty with feeding but never unhealthy (his tail was never bigger than my pinky but he was actively eating), he is also really tiny. But in the past months he has refused to eat. I have tried different methods thinking he just no longer like my old method and varied the time (every 3ish weeks) to see if it was a timing thing but nothing seems to work as he wont even open his mouth (he used to) when the meal worm is presented to him. He is still active, crawling around his enclosure, and drinking water often but he is getting increasingly skinny. I have given him some honey (very diluted) water (he drank for a good 30 sec) and we are working on getting some calcium powder and other nutrients to mix in to the water, along with looking for a vet.

Is there anything else i should (or shouldnt) do? Or anything you would recommend to try and improve his health?

edit: I have read the post on meal worms and their affects on leos and I will be working to change his diet (I'm not sure how crickets will work since he cant see. I also shy away from them cause they have attacked my old gecko before)
 
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A

acpart

Well-known member
There are some powdered foods you can mix up to feed him in puree fashion. I think one of them is called "Carnivore Care". It's also worth a vet visit to see if the parasite load has gotten too great for him; he may need medication. Another thing to think about is that some leos hatch with visible deformities but there may be other problems that we can't see. They may not live that long --sometimes they teeter on the edge with a lot of good care. Below is a link to the story of a gecko with deformities that a friend of mine cared for. This gecko lived for about a year and then passed away, even though she had been doing kind of OK for that year:

https://geckotime.com/sela-a-story-of-a-special-needs-gecko/

Aliza
 
T

Tree

New member
yeah we have a vet visit during the next week ill be sure to look into carnivore care and some other powders

it' be so sad to see him go he's really pretty and sweet
 
A

Andi

New member
edit: I have read the post on meal worms and their affects on leos and I will be working to change his diet (I'm not sure how crickets will work since he cant see. I also shy away from them cause they have attacked my old gecko before)[/QUOTE]

It's not ideal, but with crickets I will just give them a good pinch to the head with the tweezers so they don't start jumping away. Some geckos actually like when their prey moves, but I have one who prefers it when they don't. I've also had great success recently with dubia roaches...you can flip them on their back too so they won't just crawl away.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
edit: I have read the post on meal worms and their affects on leos and I will be working to change his diet (I'm not sure how crickets will work since he cant see. I also shy away from them cause they have attacked my old gecko before)
Click to expand...

Smell is likely a bonus in your leo's case.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
I slow down crickets by cutting off both back (jumper) legs right below their "knees". Those crickets can still crawl. Afterwards I place feeders in one of these clear glass, 8 ounce, Anchor brand storage bowls that Walmart carries.

100616047478978p.jpg​
 
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