Very Sick Leopard Gecko...HELP!!?

Question

THIS SOUNDS CRAZY BUT.....
I WORK AT PETCO, AND A GUY CAME IN WITH HIS SON AND IS BUYING ANOTHER ANIMAL, BUT NEEDED TO GIVE HIS LEOPARD GECKO AWAY. SO INSTEAD OF LETTING HIM RELEASE IT IN HIS YARD, I BOUGHT IT FROM HIM FOR 5 DOLLARS.
COME TO FIND OUT, THE GECKO IS EXTREMELY SICK, SO OUR STORE VET GAVE ME SOME POWDER YOU MIX WITH WATER TO FEED IT. (REPTI-AID). IT WONT EAT WAX WORMS EITHER.
I DID IT FOR 2 DAYS AND IT HARDLY EATS. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ADVISE ON HOW TO FORCE FEED THE GECKO?
I DON'T WANT TO SHOVE IT DOWN ITS THROAT AND MAYBE GETTING IT DOWN HIS BREATHING TUBE. SO PLEASE HELP ME!!!

he is very small. in a 10 gallon tank with heater and hide box. cleaned water every day. his previous owner treated him very poorly. he hasnt eaten in a long long time.hopefully he will recover. his tail is extremely skinny. you could almost see right through him. its so sad. i had to try and save him....and he wont go for live animals (crickets, worms...)

Answer 1

Really, take it to a reptile vet. He could be impacted, dehydrated, have a calcium deficiency or parasites, infection, etc. He should have an under tank heater on one end of the tank, with surface temp of 88-91F. 3 hide boxes--one on cool end, one on warm end, and a moist hide to assist with shedding. Make sure he is NOT on any kind of sand or other loose substrate. He needs insects (crickets, mealies) that have been fed properly. And of course you can force feed reptiles--I work for a vet and we see lots of reptiles and many must be force fed with a syringe--it's easy once you get the hang of it. Check out this site for handfeeding formula and more care info:
http://www.drgecko.com/anorexia.htm

Answer 2

This species needs a temperature of 28-32C (82-90F) at the warm end of the viv, the cool end should be around room temperature. Heating the viv can be maintained with a heat mat or a basking lamp connected to a thermostat. The humidity needs to be dry within the viv, with an exception of a humidity hide. This hide will help the geckos to shed their old skin and must be kept humid at all times. A varied diet of insects should be offered, with the odd pinkie (baby mouse). For young and juvenile Geckos, feed approx. 5-15 crickets every day with the appropriate sized food. Adults can be fed every other day on 2-8 crickets, once a month try feeding a small pinkie. Any uneaten food should be removed, crickets can injury your Gecko while sleeping. You will find that your Gecko loves wax worms, only feed as treats as these are high in fat. Hope this helps and good luck with him.

Answer 3

I have been taking care of rescued reptiles for over 15 years. (I will be 38 this year) I have worked closely with vets too. You can force feed reptiles, BUT... only if you have done it before. AND... every reptile differs. If you have never force fed... Then Please Don't try because if you don't know what your doing... you could end up killing it. The #1 best thing is to take it to a reptile vet. Google vets in & around your area and read reviews on them. There are many vets that will says they work on reptiles yet they have no idea in doing so. I learned the hard way on that one. Another Important thing you Must do is get info before or as soon as you receive the reptile. Google the type of rep you get/got, type of rep, care sheet, lighting, encloser, food, and everything you need to live yourself. Some of the others that answered gave some good idea's. FYI: Gecko's are small & tricky... Plus their tails detach in fear or handled wrong. Many pet stores will sell reps but have no idea about them or how to take care of them. Also many pet stores sell sick reps... Due to having no idea in how to take care & treat them. Feel free to email me! :-)

Answer 4

leopard geckos eat live crickets, if it's a small gecko, get the tiny crickets, if it's a big geck, get medium or lage ones. i've had 3 and have never heard of wax worms. if his tail is fat he is well fed, it it's skinny, it means he's too skinny and you may have to take him to the vet, but even then i dont know if they can do anything.

(about 7-8 crickets per serving depending on how fast he eats them) fed once a day
THESE PEOPLE DONT KNOW WHAT THEYRE TALKING ABOUT
THIS IS A REPTILE. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE A SYRINGE, YOU CANNOT FORCE FEED A REPTILE ITS NOT PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE.
you'll end up breaking his jaw.

*ideal thickness of the tail is about an inch wide
the tail should be "plump" in comparison to the body

this is what it should look like for an adult:

http://www.bcpl.net/~sullivan/modules/zoo/images/geck12.jpg

Answer 5

Leopard Geckos do NOT need to feed so regularly!

Go with what 'he' does. Offer food every 2 days (little amounts) - if he hasn't taken food in 10 days then get him to a Vet...

check =

He has bathed (shedding time?)

Has plenty to drink

Has a large enough space = see online.

Answer 6

i did this with my guinea pig,
1. get one of those plastic syringe type things
2. mix some sugar/water/pwder medicine
3. pick it up using the plastic thing and put it in its mout, slowly let it drip out.
4. he will probably drink it.

Answer 7

wow, the best thing i could even recommend to you is going to www.google.com and typing in your specifications/inquiries/etc and all info will auto-populate

Answer 8

take it too the vet

Answer 9

put it into his mouth with a syringe while holding him or her.

Answer 10

This sounds cruel but,--------BIRD FOOD-------!!!!!!!! Come on it's a lizard not a child.