Concerned about my gecko's health?

[Kurairush]

This is probably the only post I'll make, but..

I don't exactly know my gecko's age, but I do remember getting him back in 2007(He was an adult at the time.).
Anyways, normally he acts a bit lethargic around winter time and doesn't eat too many crickets around this time.
But lately, I've noticed that his tail is a bit thin. Could this be a sign of a disease or should I just get more crickets?(There's only two crickets in there now and I had to take a few dead ones out of his cage.)

For more info, I changed his litter a few months ago and just cleaned his water bowl today. I normally just put all of the crickets in his cage, with some of those Flukers liquid cubes.
Oddly enough, there is still a little shedded skin left on his toes, from when he shedded last.
When time permits, I'll post some images, if needed.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Fill this out:
http://geckoforums.net/f130-health-medications/70912.htm

~Maggot

 

[Kurairush]

Ah, I didn't read that.

Sex: Male
Age & Weight:Unsure about both
How long have you owned your leo:Since 2007
Where was he/she obtained (ex. Pet store, breeder, wild caught, friend):Reptile rescue

A) Health/History
How often do you handle your leo: Rarely. He doesn't like people to pick him up
- Is your leo acting any different today?: He's normally like this in winter
- Has he/she had any problems in the past: Nope
B) Fecals
- Describe (look any different than normal): Looked normal
- When was the last time he/she went: Can't say
C) Problem
- Please briefly describe the problem and how long it has been going on:
I just noticed that his tail is thin.

Housing:
A) Enclosure
Size: Medium-Large
Type: Glass
Type of substrate: Coconut Husk
Hides, how many, what kind: One hiding place. Old jar
B) Heating
Heat source: Heat lamp that I occasionally turn on. He did have a heating pad under his tank before, but it came off one day. Need to replace it
- Cage temps (hot side, cool side)
- Method of regulating heat source:Heat lamp
What are you using to measure your temps:There's a stick-on thermometer, but I should purchase a real thermometer one of these days
- Do you have any lights: One heat lamp.
C) Cage mates
- How many: None
- Describe health, or previous problems:N/A

Describe Diet:
A) Typical diet
What you're feeding: Crickets. I usually buy 2 dozen of them whenever I go to ++++++++.
How are you feeding: They run loose in his cage and he eats them on his own.
B) Supplements (describe how often)
What vitamin/minerals are you using: N/A
What are you gut loading food with: Some liquid cubes from a brand called Flukers.

Here's an image:

 

[leezard]

It needs to go to the vet NOW. I would not expect good news because the gecko looks like it has not eaten in a very long time.

 

[Kylerbassman]

Ok, there are multiple things I see wrong here. There should be 3 hides minimum. 1 hot, 1cool, and 1 moist(preferably closer to the warm side). I wouldn't use that substrate, but that's personal opinion. Temps are so important. You need a good infrared temp gun or thermometer. Your warm side should be around 90-95 degrees and your cool side around 72 ish. Uth is so much better than lighting. He may not be digesting food well because of the low temps. You need to get the heating figured out ASAP. As far as leaving crickets in the tank, you really need to watch that. Crickets will bite Leo's when left in tank (not saying its definately happening, just know it can cause major problems). What are using as a supplement for dusting feeders. If you don't currently use anything, this will affect your gecko at some point if it's not already. I would recommend Repashy calcium plus.

Honestly for your geckos age, I can't believe how bad he looks. Before even worrying about anything else, you need to get this Leo a vet visit ASAP because he doesn't look good at all. I'm serious when I say I'm worried he's not going to make it long. I obviously am not there and I'm not a vet, but I have a female that's about 5 and she is so much bigger and healthier. I really hope you can get it figured out so you can save your Leo.

 

[Kurairush]

I hope it's not Cryptosporidium. Because that same disease claimed my salamander's life back in 2007.
But I think it might be. Days ago, he was acting fine. There's the possibility of the symptoms already displaying. Thin tail, lethargic behavior and I haven't seen him eat.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I hope it's not Cryptosporidium. Because that same disease claimed my salamander's life back in 2007.
But I think it might be. Days ago, he was acting fine. There's the possibility of the symptoms already displaying. Thin tail, lethargic behavior and I haven't seen him eat.

Or maybe it's your completely unsuitable setup? You have no idea what the temps are, you only occasionally even use a heat source, you have one hide, you don't provide any supplements, etc., etc., etc. It's amazing this gecko is even still alive; it's certainly no wonder it's not doing well. FIX ITS SETUP NOW.

~Maggot

 

[Kurairush]

I managed to put the heat mat back on the bottom of the cage and he seems to be acting a little less lethargic.
If I can get him through this, then I should start dusting a couple of crickets occasionally.
But don't dusted crickets die quicker?

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I managed to put the heat mat back on the bottom of the cage and he seems to be acting a little less lethargic.
If I can get him through this, then I should start dusting a couple of crickets occasionally.
But don't dusted crickets die quicker?

Congratulations, as he was probably freezing, but that's only a fraction of the problem.
1) You need a digital thermometer and a hot side with a temp of 88-93 and a cool side at room temp.
2) You need a humid hide kept in the middle of the temp gradient. ALL THE TIME.
3) Buy Repashy Leopard Gecko Plus and dust EVERY FEEDER at EVERY MEAL. Your leo probably has a calcium and vitamin deficiency as well as being unable to digest its food.
4) Put in a hide on the warm side and move the jar to the cool side.
5) Take your leo to the vet. Even if you fix everything right away, it might not make it. The damage might already be done. It's going to have a much better chance if you take it to the vet.

And no, dusted crickets won't die. But why would it even matter? You feed them, and the leo should eat them within a few minutes if it's being kept in a proper setup.

~Maggot

 

[sausage]

I agree with every one else your set up is not suitable atall. Reptiles can "survive" seemingly fine for prolonged periods of time in unsuitable set ups but then will go down hill very fast.
1. first most important thing is to get him a heat pad ASAP! he needs to warm up. heat lamp will not do because they adsorb their heat through their bellies not their tops.
2. I would get rid of the bark and use paper towels at the moment while hes sick. Their a choking/impaction hazard.
3. He also need some food inside him so I would suggest making a bug slurry (with vits and calcium) and dripping it on his lips so he can lick it off. This of course wont be of any good unless he has a new heat source to warm up.
He needs to go to a vet asap though to make sure there isn’t any thing else more sinister at hand.
Por baby i hope its not to late

 

[sausage]

As already mentioned you shouldnt leave feeders in his viv not only because they may bite him but having them running around him all the time will also stress him out enough not to eat.

 

[Kurairush]

I'm going to keep an eye on him for a while. The heatpad is starting to help out.
I've had to use tape, since it doesn't stick. I'll be heading to ++++++++ sometime this week to get more crickets. I'll also change his cage after this snow is gone and it's a nice day.

It's still odd how he's still around with my set-up. Didn't know that they required a specific environment. :main_huh:

 

[Kylerbassman]

I honestly won't even use crickets anymore. They themselves are unpredictable depending on where you get them from. I am on mostly supers, with the occasional mealie or Dubia. I have heard of a lot of horror stories. Also you should be gut loading any feeders with raw vegetables like carrots, apples, lettuce and on top of that dusting all feeders with a multivitamin and calcium. Like me and others say get the Repashy calcium plus. It's a great all in one.

I can't stress enough how important it is to get a vet visit. Even if you can get all of this fixed before you can see one. Like others have said, even implementing all general NEEDS will probably not even help at this point. You may need to take some drastic measures if you want this poor guy to survive. After you get a vet visit and if your gecko is still living, you NEED to make sure his setup is changed.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I'm going to keep an eye on him for a while. The heatpad is starting to help out.
I've had to use tape, since it doesn't stick. I'll be heading to ++++++++ sometime this week to get more crickets. I'll also change his cage after this snow is gone and it's a nice day.

It's still odd how he's still around with my set-up. Didn't know that they required a specific environment. :main_huh:

WHAT? NO. Do it NOW. Why are you not listening? Use some plastic containers and cut holes in the sides and put wet paper towels in the bottom of one. Go buy supplements, two digital thermometers (or a temp gun), and a new UTH. And call the vet RIGHT NOW and get the earliest possible appointment. No exceptions. No excuses.

Your gecko is dying. If you cared at all, you wouldn't go "sometimes this week" and wait to fix its environment until "it's a nice day." If you aren't willing to give it the care it needs, take it back to the rescue immediately so someone who actually cares can give it what it needs to survive.

~Maggot

 

[Kylerbassman]

Let me put it in better terms. If you knew someone who owned a dog and just feed there dog cheap food and gave them water but never got vet visits, never got its shots, never gave it a bath, left it out on a chain in the freezing cold. Then after weeks of this dog not eating, the owner looks at this malnourished, sick, and almost dead dog and wonders whats wrong with it, and what can I do. You would probably freak on the person. Your intentions might not be bad, but the reason people are kinda going off right now is cause we are all just surprised and extremely worried for your Leo, honestly if he was well enough, I would pay you to ship him to me. It's animal cruelty, and it might be negligence/ignorance, but that just means at this point, if you want to do the right thing, you will find a vet and get your Leo checked out ASAP even if that means calling a 24 hr emergency vet and spending a lot of money. I really do hope this has a good outcome, and I really hope you take this all to heart and realize what you need to do in the future. Please let us know if he's ok after you get him to the vet. If you have anymore questions, please ask. There are a lot of really knowledgable owners here that can give really good advice. Sorry if this was strong, but I just want you to realize how important it is for you to do the right thing now.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Let me put it in better terms. If you knew someone who owned a dog and just feed there dog cheap food and gave them water but never got vet visits, never got its shots, never gave it a bath, left it out on a chain in the freezing cold. Then after weeks of this dog not eating, the owner looks at this malnourished, sick, and almost dead dog and wonders whats wrong with it, and what can I do. You would probably freak on the person. Your intentions might not be bad, but the reason people are kinda going off right now is cause we are all just surprised and extremely worried for your Leo, honestly if he was well enough, I would pay you to ship him to me. It's animal cruelty, and it might be negligence/ignorance, but that just means at this point, if you want to do the right thing, you will find a vet and get your Leo checked out ASAP even if that means calling a 24 hr emergency vet and spending a lot of money. I really do hope this has a good outcome, and I really hope you take this all to heart and realize what you need to do in the future. Please let us know if he's ok after you get him to the vet. If you have anymore questions, please ask. There are a lot of really knowledgable owners here that can give really good advice. Sorry if this was strong, but I just want you to realize how important it is for you to do the right thing now.

Thank you. Hopefully the OP will do the right thing, whether it's changing things NOW and seeing a vet or taking it back to the rescue. OP, if you live just so happen to live in PA or NY, I'll take this gecko. If not, it's up to you to save it.

~Maggot

 

[katie_]

Is this thread serious?
You didnt think an animal required a specific environment?
Did you do ANY research before you bought this living, breathing animal?
You should be ashamed of yourself as this is pure animal abuse.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Is this thread serious?
You didnt think an animal required a specific environment?
Did you do ANY research before you bought this living, breathing animal?
You should be ashamed of yourself as this is pure animal abuse.

The astounding thing to me is that this person says they got it from a rescue. What kind of rescue just gives animals to someone who has no idea how to care for it? I'd love to know what rescue this was.

~Maggot

 

[katie_]

The astounding thing to me is that this person says they got it from a rescue. What kind of rescue just gives animals to someone who has no idea how to care for it? I'd love to know what rescue this was.

~Maggot

"Rescue" is often thrown around and used inappropriately. They probably bought it on a whim at a chain store and considered it rescued. This gecko needs to be rescued. Poor thing

 

[Embrace Calamity]

"Rescue" is often thrown around and used inappropriately. They probably bought it on a whim at a chain store and considered it rescued. This gecko needs to be rescued. Poor thing

Well they said "reptile rescue," so I assumed it was an actually established reptile rescue. But you could be right. I seriously would take this gecko in a heartbeat if this person is anywhere near me. Unfortunately, though, OP probably hasn't done anything and the thing's probably already dead.

~Maggot