Designer Geckos
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- Location
- Boulder, CO
Please see the sticky at the top of this section for more info on feeding leos that are not eating.
As an addendum to this, we have added an assist-feeding method for those who are still unsuccessful in their attempts to get their leo back into eating.
While many use various assist-feeding methods, most employ mealworms in their methods.
The easiest method for getting a leo to eat again when all other methods fail is this: As a last ditch effort when all else has failed and your leo is losing weight and perhaps on the verge of succumbing, you MUST get some food into it. The best way is to use blunt tipped forceps with waxworms. Waxworms are soft and much easier for a leo to swallow than stiff mealworms.....like comparing a marshmallow to a pretzel when you are force feeding a leo. Waxworms are also higher in fat, something a gecko needs that has been losing weight.
Hold your leo firmly but very carefully so as not to injure the animal. Hold it in your fist with just the head of the gecko exposed. Hold the gecko upright, and with a waxworm in the forceps, gently slide the waxworm back and forth across one side of the jawline. When the gecko opens it's mouth, place the waxworm vertically into the mouth and close the mouth, gently holding it closed, and lightly stroke the gecko's throat until it swallows. Repeat 2 or 3 times. Do this method for a few days to jumpstart the geckos' metabolism and activate its own feeding response again. When you are done each day, do not place the gecko back into its enclosure immediately. Hold it, talk to it, and pet it to show the gecko that all's well. After a few minutes of reassurance, then place the gecko back and end the session on a good note. Nothing could be worse and more counterproductive to what you are trying to achieve than to force feed an animal and put it away in a traumatized condition. These are smart animals with feelings, and they need your kindness and reassurance after going through a rather difficult procedure like this.
After a few days try to get the gecko to start to eat again on its own. This may take some time, especially if the gecko has not eaten for a long time. While assist feeding is a last ditch effort and is certainly not guaranteed to work, it is a desperation measure to save your valuable gecko. Only use it as a very last resort. It is a good idea to get a vet involved if there are other symptoms and illness could be a factor....take a fresh fecal sample if possible. But often times it is just the leo going off food, and not illness related.
Please contact us if you need more info on this method. Good luck.
As an addendum to this, we have added an assist-feeding method for those who are still unsuccessful in their attempts to get their leo back into eating.
While many use various assist-feeding methods, most employ mealworms in their methods.
The easiest method for getting a leo to eat again when all other methods fail is this: As a last ditch effort when all else has failed and your leo is losing weight and perhaps on the verge of succumbing, you MUST get some food into it. The best way is to use blunt tipped forceps with waxworms. Waxworms are soft and much easier for a leo to swallow than stiff mealworms.....like comparing a marshmallow to a pretzel when you are force feeding a leo. Waxworms are also higher in fat, something a gecko needs that has been losing weight.
Hold your leo firmly but very carefully so as not to injure the animal. Hold it in your fist with just the head of the gecko exposed. Hold the gecko upright, and with a waxworm in the forceps, gently slide the waxworm back and forth across one side of the jawline. When the gecko opens it's mouth, place the waxworm vertically into the mouth and close the mouth, gently holding it closed, and lightly stroke the gecko's throat until it swallows. Repeat 2 or 3 times. Do this method for a few days to jumpstart the geckos' metabolism and activate its own feeding response again. When you are done each day, do not place the gecko back into its enclosure immediately. Hold it, talk to it, and pet it to show the gecko that all's well. After a few minutes of reassurance, then place the gecko back and end the session on a good note. Nothing could be worse and more counterproductive to what you are trying to achieve than to force feed an animal and put it away in a traumatized condition. These are smart animals with feelings, and they need your kindness and reassurance after going through a rather difficult procedure like this.
After a few days try to get the gecko to start to eat again on its own. This may take some time, especially if the gecko has not eaten for a long time. While assist feeding is a last ditch effort and is certainly not guaranteed to work, it is a desperation measure to save your valuable gecko. Only use it as a very last resort. It is a good idea to get a vet involved if there are other symptoms and illness could be a factor....take a fresh fecal sample if possible. But often times it is just the leo going off food, and not illness related.
Please contact us if you need more info on this method. Good luck.
