Dehydration

[dim&shell]

My gecko, I think, is very dehydrated (have been told by a few people on here). I was told to try dropping water on his nose for him to lick off, this worked at first but now he gets in a right state about it and wont lick it off (stubborn...), anyway he is still not producing any urate (white bits...) and I'm getting a bit concerned - he is eating and has been for last couple of days (finally!!) but worried about the dehydration problem.

Is there away of getting water in him without dropping it on his nose?

 

[GeckoGathering]

gecko water

My gecko, I think, is very dehydrated (have been told by a few people on here). I was told to try dropping water on his nose for him to lick off, this worked at first but now he gets in a right state about it and wont lick it off (stubborn...), anyway he is still not producing any urate (white bits...) and I'm getting a bit concerned - he is eating and has been for last couple of days (finally!!) but worried about the dehydration problem.

Is there away of getting water in him without dropping it on his nose?

Opinion would be if it's eating it is probably drinking or will be. .....as long as it can access the water bowl.
Some of the time I never see any white. Also part of the time it is overlooked. I would keep him licking from your finger. I would not use quick thought ideas like eye dropper, etc. Could be dangerous. Other than urates being missing, is there others reasons to think it is dehydrating? Take care. HJ

 

[dim&shell]

Wel when I first posted a picture on here everyone said that the Gecko looks severly dehydrated, he also NEVER had a water supply at the pet shop. The last couple of days (since starting to eat crickets), he seems very sleepy, almost always asleep, his head seems to heavy for his body and he hardly lifts it up plus his eyes are really sunken - this is SINCE he's started eating properly so just assumed it's dehydration?

 

[Reptarissorad]

My leo had a problem with dehydration so I brought him to a vet. They said to soak him in warm water for 10-15 minutes every few days so he could absorb some water. Just make sure the water isn't too hot/cold and make sure it isn't too deep.

 

[prettyinpink]

If you could go here and fill out this, that would be great. (since you mentioned he's sleepy...it could just be the weather, but I want to make sure )http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=70912

If it really is dehydration. You can usually tell if they're not pooping for awhile but they're eating. Or they've stopped eating, or they're backed up. You can give them a nice warm soak in a shallow dish (usually sink)...make sure his ears, or nose doesn't get in there... for about 10-15minutes. Every day, or until he's back to normal.

 

[loislane24]

My gecko has had problems with dehydration before, too.

I have used an eyedropper, although I know it can be dangerous. I just try really hard not to let any go up his nose. One time some did, and he was gaping for a couple of minutes. And one time he was sneezing. I'm not really an expert, so I wouldn't go by my advice about the eyedropper if other people say it's dangerous.

With the eyedropper, if he isn't licking it up, I usually give him a minute to chill out and then try again. Sometimes it annoys him when I'm doing it and he wont lick it. It sounds weird but I let him take a couple of steps, and then he usually will reset his brain and lick again if I give him a drop.

The soaking should help, but sometimes they don't seem to drink even when they are in there. I use this plastic baking pan that comes with a top, and fill it up to the top of his legs with water and then put the top on. That makes the condensation increase. He hates it, but oh well. Definitely keep a close eye on him in there, especially since he's having trouble holding up his head. If he hasn't been eating a lot too, you could put some pedialite in there while he is soaking.

The other option I've used is just making sure that his cage is misted frequently. I've read somewhere that some geckos like to lick water off of walls (like their moist hide or the walls of the tank) instead of out of a bowl. And if he grew up without a bowl, he might be confused?