My friend Kelly and I both have leopard geckos, we got them around the same time from the same place. Since we've gotten them we occasionally gecko-sit for each other when needed. Kelly's tank is difficult to transport so I usually put her gecko (Chester) in with my gecko (Kiwi) and they've never had any problems. Kelly recently went on vacation for two weeks and forgot to bring Chester by. About three days ago she popped up on MSN asking me if I could go pick him up. I intended to do it the next day, but woke up sick, so I finally just brought him home today. His tank light was off when I got to her house and he was kinda cold (that's better now, and he seems alert) . My main concern is that he appears quite bloated. I've checked him for mouth/nose mucus and labored breathing. He seems fine apart from the bloat. I put some crickets in with the two geckos but Chester won't touch them. I also put some calcium powder in a lid for him. Is he ok? If not, might he have something contagious?
2006-08-06 10:56:46 · 6 answers · asked by Zarango 3 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
If he is kept on sand, he could be impacted. Don't feed him anything until the bloat goes away, and try soaking him in warm (not hot) water 2x a day. A good way to do this is either in a tupperware bowl with holes in the lid, or a plastic critter keeper. Make sure the water isn't enough to drown him, but that his under-tail region is submerged. Leave him there for 10-20 minutes. If you notice a large amount of fecal matter in the bowl at some point, then it has worked and that was probably the issue.
Meanwhile, keep him warm and make sure he has calcium and water at all times. When you do feed him, don't feed him in his cage if he has sand or wood chip bedding, or anything he can ingest.
You may need to contact a reptile vet at some point.
2006-08-06 17:20:05 · answer #1 · answered by Dreamer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I really don't know what would be wrong with him, but I have to agree with the above poster...call a reptile vet if you are this concerened! Petstores rarely have any clue about the animals they sell.
Leopard geckos NEED an under tank heater! Belly heat is critical for them to digest food, among other things. Air temp isn't really that important.
And leos get stressed when moved to a new enviroment. They often don't eat for a few days. Add this to him possible being sick and I think you have a problem. I would call a vet, it's the safest thing to do.
2006-08-06 20:37:07 · answer #2 · answered by Em 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two weeks is quite a long time to not have heat. Which is why I use UTH (Under Tank Heaters). This way their is heat on at all times and has a warm and cool side. Belly heat is more important to leos.
Like mentioned earlier, give it a few and see how he turns out. Try not to increase any more stress that it may have so let him be for ahwile.
And if you wish to call anyone, call a reptile vet instead of a pet store.
2006-08-06 19:52:21 · answer #3 · answered by badger_n 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is probably just stressed. I would giv him a few days and see how he is doing.
2006-08-06 18:02:18 · answer #4 · answered by Alex 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call the pet store and ask them....
2006-08-06 18:01:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry not to help you w/ this problem..
2006-08-06 18:02:32 · answer #6 · answered by Peter 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋