My gecko Arnie has been off and on pale (one day pale, the next fine, then pale after that), and he has also had some trouble with his aim when hunting. He has been missing more frequently, seems to be kind of wobbly (however he doesn't have any issue chewing), has been squinting his eyes (alternating eyes though) pretty often, and also hasn't defecated in a few days. All of this seems out of the ordinary for him, and I just want to make sure it isn't anything I should be worried about.
African fat tailed gecko sick?
- Thread starter VerdLord
- Start date
Elizabeth Freer
Active member
Hi VerdLord ~
We could begin with basic things.
Please share the exact name of Arnie's multivitamins & other supplements as well as how often you use them. Some supplements are definitely required for healthy eyes. Without knowing precisely the names & frequency of such supplements, we remain in the dark.
Liz
We could begin with basic things.
Please share the exact name of Arnie's multivitamins & other supplements as well as how often you use them. Some supplements are definitely required for healthy eyes. Without knowing precisely the names & frequency of such supplements, we remain in the dark.
Liz
Elizabeth Freer
Active member
/\ Thanks!
Aliza ~ Since you use Repashy's Calcium Plus multivitamins, perhaps with your fat tails too, (& I use Zoo Med products), what are your dusting suggestions for fat-tail Arnie who gets 4-6 crickets at every feeding every other day?
Based upon GU's Schedule 144 that Aliza has used for her leopard geckos, VerdLord's Repashy Calcium Plus frequency seems excessive for Arnie. Too many multivitamins could cause a problem just like too few multivitamins.
About how old is Arnie?
Here's Aliza's particular schedule by days as copied & pasted from GU's Linked Gecko Care Articles forum, Schedule 144.
Dusting Schedule for Repashy's Calcium Plus multivitamins
For HATCHLINGS & JUVENILES, dust prey at every other feeding
\/ \/ \/
R = Repashy's Calcium Plus, Cc = pure precipitated calcium carbonate (withOUT vitamin D3)
Week 1 Repashy dusting (for HATCHLINGS & JUVENILES):
M-------T-------W------Th-------F-------Sat-------Sun
.................R...............................................................R...................
Week 2 Repashy dusting (for HATCHLINGS & JUVENILES):
M-------T-------W------Th-------F-------Sat-------Sun
..................................R..........................................
3. Feeding & Supplementing ADULT leopard geckos ~ Feed 2x per week.
- Mondays ~ feed (no dusting)
- Thursdays ~ feed & dust prey with Repashy's Calcium Plus (all-in-one) multivitamins
Elizabeth Freer
Active member
You are very welcome, VerdLord! Please keep GU posted on Arnie's progress on this thread.
*** IF you're pretty certain Arnie = ~2 years old, but NOT YET fully grown, how about feeding him 3 times per week, BUT only dust his 4-6 crickets with Repashy's Calcium Plus at 1 feeding per week?
Repashy's Calcium Plus contains both vitamin A acetate (preformed vitamin A -- retinol) & (proformed vitamin A -- beta carotene like that found in carrots). Retinol is the ingredient you're looking for. Having both ingredients is a good idea.
3. Feeding & Supplementing ADULT leopard geckos ~ Feed 2x per week.
- Mondays ~ feed (no dusting)
- Thursdays ~ feed & dust prey with Repashy's Calcium Plus (all-in-one) multivitamins
I had started dusting Arnie's prey in thinner coats, and also gave him a couple warm baths and belly rubs for the constipation. He is now doing much better, and fortunately a vet visit wasn't necessary. Thank you so much for the help!
Here are a few photos of him:
Here are a few photos of him:
Attachments
Elizabeth Freer
Active member
You're most welcome, VerdLord! I'm happy Arnie has responded positively to your recent husbandry changes.
He seems to be a good weight for his age.
May he live a long, long life!
Elizabeth Freer
Active member
PS:
NOW are you sticking with thinner supplement coats on Arnie's bugs & worms? OR did Arnie's problems begin with thinner supplement coats?
Is Arnie's substrate shelf liner? Is it shelf liner with the sticky backing?
Especially shelf liner with the sticky backing off-gases when/if it gets too warm.
Slate is a superior heat-absorbing substrate. It's also trouble-free. I have several recs for slate, if you need them.
NOW are you sticking with thinner supplement coats on Arnie's bugs & worms? OR did Arnie's problems begin with thinner supplement coats?
Is Arnie's substrate shelf liner? Is it shelf liner with the sticky backing?
Especially shelf liner with the sticky backing off-gases when/if it gets too warm.
Slate is a superior heat-absorbing substrate. It's also trouble-free. I have several recs for slate, if you need them.