Can someone help me heal my leopard gecko or is it time to go to the vet?

Question

I have had my leopard gecko for over a year now, and I consider myself to be an ok handler. I have had my days when I don't feed her but I try to make up for it the next day. My gecko is fully grown, so I have been keeping her on Calci Sand, and I feed her gut loaded mealworms. However it has now been a week since I have seen her eat. Her tail is now getting smaller so I think she is running on her reserves. I see her drink now and then but she doesn't touch the mealworms she once darted after. I don't think its the sand since she has taken plenty of mealworms since I switched her to it a few months ago. However I have noticed now since she hasn't eaten, that she is having shedding problems, and has already lost a claw. I am really worried, and I have tried a few things, sheet moss, warm soil/sand for her to help shedding...but now she isn't eating, at all. What should I do? Or is it time to get some help from the vet? Thanks a lot in advance!

Answer 1

Get out the calci sand. Put down some paper towels for her. Calcium sand or any type of sand is very dangerous for geckos. It can cause impaction and harbors bacteria, which isn't good for your gecko. Is she pooping any? With the information you've given...it sounds like it could be a parasite problem. I would take her the the vet for a fecal exam. Collect a fecal sample or let them do a smear. Give her a lukewarm soak for 15 minutes to help her with the shedding. Paper towels are probably the best substrate to use when collecting a fecal sample. You need to get the freshest poop as possible (not dried up or soaked in water). If you have to wait over night...put the poo in an air tight sip lock bag and put it in the fridge. You may wanna double bag it.
Hope this helps.

Answer 2

One problem with using sand as a substrate is impaction. That's when a clump of sand gets caught in the intestinal track and causes blockage. This could explain the loss of appetite.This can happen with regular or Calci sand. Especially if you feed on the substrate. If your temperatures are where they should be maybe you can try a different food. Try a few feeder crickets or something. It could be he's bored with meal worms at the moment. Meal worms are not easily digested by the way and really aren't the best choice for a food source. I say because of the weight loss you should probably take your gecko to the vet and see what the vet thinks.

Answer 3

I would have to agree about the calci-sand normal play sand is okay to use but the calci sand encourages the gecko to lick it for the extra calcium it has this is what causes impaction. They tend to leave normal play sand alone. You can leave a dish of calcium powder in the tank for it to lick. Why are you only feeding meal worms? They have harder shells you probably noticed this when yu see the worm shed this can cause impaction too at full grown they need only eat once or twice a wk. they should live with good care for up to 15-20 years no problem. Try gut loading some crickets to feed if they are to fast for the gecko pull one of the back legs of the crickets so they arnt as fast. you could try wax worms they are very soft or silk or butter worms, (expensive) hope this helps

Answer 4

Personally, I would go to the vet asap. The earlier the better so you can get the results from tests back. Waiting till the last minute is not good practice. 30 - 50 bucks for a vet trip for a critter under your care is worth it. Try to bring a fresh fecal with if you can.

As for sand impactions, it does not take a long long time for impactions to happen, and juvies are more prone to getting impacted, but that doesn't mean that this is the case.

Good luck

Answer 5

it can take a while for impaction to happen. I know a lot of people will bash you for having your gecko on Sand and for good reason it is a hot issue on many gecko forums. but just because your gecko is not eating does not mean it is impacted. there could be many other reasons for it. Like others have said try another food like crickets or super worms. if that does not work you could try this.

G3 Slurry: Slurry to help stimulating the feeding response of Non-eating
Geckos

In a blender, combine:
a.. 1 small can Hill's A/D pet food (available at most vets)
b.. 1/4-1/3 cup Ensure (not chocolate)
c.. 1 jar baby food squash
d.. 1/4-1/3 cup Pedialite
e.. 2 crushed tablets or contents of 2 capsules Milk Thistle (herbal
supplement, liver purifier, found at most drug stores.)
f.. 1/2 tsp. each calcium powder and herp vitamin powder
g.. 1 large handful of meal worms, added slowly while mixture is blending
Puree all ingredients until completely smooth, and pour into ice cube
tray(s) and freeze. Store cubes in zip-lock bag in the freezer until ready
to use, then thaw out 1 cube at a time and store in fridge for 2-3 days. I
use the empty baby food jar for this purpose, washing it thoroughly after
each batch.

*Lately, I have been adding about 1 Tblsp. T-Rex Gargoyle MRP to each new
thawed out cube.

Using this mixture, draw a full dropper (1 ml. eye dropper type) and place a
drop on the gecko's nose. It will start to lick it off, and as it does,
slowly squeeze out a little at a time. Most geckos love this food, and will
lap it up. Patience is the key here.

**NOTE: Do NOT tell anyone in your household you put mealworms in the
blender!


if that does not work get that gecko to the Vet
good luck !

Answer 6

oftentimes they do no longer ought to rub off the shed pores and skin. continuously grant a humid conceal field for them and this heavily isn't an issue. Soak the leo in shallow warmth water and gently drop water on the pinnacle or you should use a humid qtip to gently sparkling it. do not over do it or you would possibly want to damage the floor further! you may prepare neosporin to the wound yet do not enable it get in his eyes.

Answer 7

Time to get some vet help. Good luck!

Answer 8

he might not live that long how long do they live? and how long has this been going on? you need to state these thing. i would ask a vet over the phone first so you dont waste your time and money on gas.

Answer 9

V
E
T

Answer 10

VET.