gecko having seizure

Alwayshotroddin

New Member
Messages
21
Location
Fort Wayne, IN
Hi everyone,

I'm very concerned about one of my geckos. I have 4 total... 2 adults and 2 juveniles that are probably around 10 months old. My 2 adults are housed differently from the other 2 and are very healthy. Last week I noticed that one of my juvies tails was getting thinner and I was worried she wasn't eating her mealworms. I bought some freeze dried mealworms and leopard gecko food at the petstore in hopes she might try that.

Yesterday I noticed she wasn't looking any better and so I set up a completely different tank for her and put her in her new home (she is doing fine so far... I'm going to buy her crickets today). Meanwhile, I started hearing a screeching noise coming from the original juvie tank and my other leo was having a seizure! His mouth was gaping open and he kept screeching and twitching continously. This lasted for about a minute and then he started hobbling around the cage, but in no way a normal manner. Eventually he settled down in one spot and stayed there. This morning he is no longer twitching but is very limp. He is still alive, I can see him breathing... his eyes are open, but I'm afraid he is going to die. :(

I looked online for awhile for the causes of seizures - I saw many - but my main concern is that the freeze dried mealworms may have caused an impacation - have you ever heard of this? I feel absolutely horrible about all of this, but since my 2 adults are very healthy I'm not sure if it is something I did or if they are just 2 unhealthy geckos. I purchased them both from PetCo last February (I know... I won't do that again!) and I'm almost wondering if they both just have parasites or were bred badly - I've heard a lot of pet stores sell unhealthy lizards.

If anyone can help me out please let me know. My reptile vet isn't in until Monday and even then I'm not sure the juvie with the seizure is going to survive. Thanks so much!

Kecia
 

Golden Gate Geckos

Mean Old Gecko Lady
Messages
12,731
Location
SF Bay Area
Seizures are usually from some kind of neurological issue. Severe pain could cause what you are describing. I don't know if feeding freeze-dried crickets could cause impaction, but I suppose it's possible since there is no moisture in them.

I wish I could tell you more. All you can do is make sure the gecko's environmental needs are met and wait. How scary!
 

moosassah

New Member
Messages
2,181
Location
Weymouth MA
I bought my 6 yr old a pet store gecko that was seen by a herpatologist for seizures. He was given medication to treat an unknown & most likely bacterial infection. The seizures got worse & were like you are describing with the horrible screeching, biting, twitching & collapse. He would appear to be dead for a up to hours. I made the mistake of bringing him back to the pet store. Many people here told me later that he might have pulled through if I stuck with treating him (and that the pet store most likely put him in a freezer).

Learn from my mistake & take him to your vet. Good luck!
 

Alwayshotroddin

New Member
Messages
21
Location
Fort Wayne, IN
Thank you all for your advice - I just got home from buying fresh mealworms and crickets (ones that are alive haha) and I checked on my baby gecko and I am not even sure he is alive. :( His eyes are closed and he's very still but I hate to move him in case he is doing what moosassah described above and is indeed still alive but may have an infection. I guess all I can do is wait, but if he is still alive on Monday I will definetely take him to the vet ASAP. I'll keep you all updated - thanks again!
 
L

LeopardGeckoMom52688

Guest
I have never had that happen to me. but I am very sorry. My geckos i bought a year in a half ago got sick in march, very fast. I took them to the vet, and I was devistated. My dad and boyfriend helped me threw it. And my little gecko that was 50 grams and dropped to 25 in a week is not 85 grams and my biggest female. So a vet may be able to help. Its all worth it in the end. Just stick it out. Best of luck!
 

Alwayshotroddin

New Member
Messages
21
Location
Fort Wayne, IN
My gecko passed away this morning. :( I wish I knew what was wrong with him and I hope that my other baby makes it. I haven't seen her eat yet. I'm almost wondering since I bought those 2 together from PetCo if the clutch they were from wasn't infested with parasites or some kind of bacterial infection.

If I get more Leos soon I'm definetely going to purchase them from a reliable pet store or from a breeder and make 100% sure they are healthy geckos. I didn't like going through this, but I'm very thankful my 2 adults are still healthy and happy - it doesn't make me feel like such a bad mom!
 

moosassah

New Member
Messages
2,181
Location
Weymouth MA
I'm sorry you lost him. Maybe trying some of the Repti-aid will help jump start the other ones hunger? It's a powder available at pet stores & you mix it up & feed it to them. I'd definitely get your other guy to the vet this week. Again, I'm real sorry about the lil one.
 
T

TWC

Guest
i am very sorry that happened, i know the feeling of losing a gecko in such a horrible fashion. i am sure that it wasnt you, and i hope you do get some great healthy leos.
 
G

Geico-chan

Guest
My Gecko!!!!

My gecko is also showing the same symptoms, thrashing about, screaming, twitching, it almost looked like he was hallucinating. This lasted for about 5 minutes, then he was breathing heavily, now he is very still but breathing and has pushed himself up with his chest out. He was recently treated for (and is still taking antibiotics) a mouth infection that spread to both eyes.

Can someone tell me what to do?

What happened?

Can Geico be helped?

My mother is going to call the vet in the morning however, we are both afraid they will tell us to put him in the freezer.
 

Lithuin

New Member
Messages
32
Location
Ohio
I would take your other juvie to the vet to be certain. Even if kept separate you could cross contaminate your healthy leos.
 

Spots

New Member
Messages
291
Location
Ontario
Sorryf or your loss. '( I had my first gecko pass in Sept and I have no idea what happened. She was fine and I woke up one morning and she was so pale and limp. I also bought her from a chain so I know how you feel. Its hard to wonder if it was the store or you but just remember that as soon as you noticed something odd you checked into it so don't think you are a bad parent cause you tried. Just makr sure you continue to gather more information and research so you provide the best for the other geckos. :)


In terms of the dried mealworms, im not sure if it would cause impaction that would lead to the seizures. It doesnt seem to be of the same medical issue to me. Seizures are more of in the brain and neurological whereas impaction is more of the digestive system caused by consuming something that did not digest properly. My vet said impaction could even be caused by a gecko eating too much too fast too. So i dont see how that could cause the seizure. But remember that a gecko could be healthy but just have bad luck. They. Don't have to be unhealthy to have problems with them. Sometimes it just happens.

In terms of the other gecko, there is a slurry recipe as a stickey in this topic thread that you can try if she doesnt eat. I havent tried it as my vet gives me this medicated dog/cat food for my gecko that isnt eating.
Good luck
 

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