dont wana eat worm

[momok3010]

hye...since i got her last month until now my LP refused to eat mealworm..she only ate 3-5crickets evry other day...n stil not gaining any weight...shes very skinny...any tips to make her eat worm to fatten her up...?

 

[Dog Shrink]

That leo is on the verge of emaciation and needs to see a herp vet as soon as you can hon. If the lizard is eating and not gaining weight that is usually a sign that there could be a parasite invasion. Parasites usually live in the intestines which is where nutrients are absorbed into the system, and when you see failure to thrive parasites are usually the first suspect. I would absolutely suggest at the very leat taking a fecal sample to the vet and have it tested for parasites. The leo will not gain weight until the parasites are taken care of no matter what you feed it. Also once the issue is resolved you need to feed slowly and consistantly to avoid re-feeding syndrom.

Also what is your tank set up like? temps? I see paper towels so that's good, and how do you heat the tank? Lights? UTH?

 

[momok3010]

That leo is on the verge of emaciation and needs to see a herp vet as soon as you can hon. If the lizard is eating and not gaining weight that is usually a sign that there could be a parasite invasion. Parasites usually live in the intestines which is where nutrients are absorbed into the system, and when you see failure to thrive parasites are usually the first suspect. I would absolutely suggest at the very leat taking a fecal sample to the vet and have it tested for parasites. The leo will not gain weight until the parasites are taken care of no matter what you feed it. Also once the issue is resolved you need to feed slowly and consistantly to avoid re-feeding syndrom.

Also what is your tank set up like? temps? I see paper towels so that's good, and how do you heat the tank? Lights? UTH?

the problem is at my country dont have any herp vet...this gecko skinny since last 8 months afta lain egg...until now havent gain any weight...
my temp now is 33C now im using paper towel...im heat the tank using lights

 

[Dog Shrink]

Is there any way to get the tank a little hotter? I think with that leos condition and having the tank at 33c (91.4F) just might not be warm enough for her. Usually when you have an animal in an emaciated state you want warmer than usual environment because of the lack of body fat which would usually help that animal to keep their temp more balanced. I would shoot for 35-36C honestly as a start. Next is there anyone in your country that raises leos that mght be able to advise you on proper treatment for parasites if there is no herp vet available? A breeder or long time care giver to herps maybe at a zoo or an animal preserve?

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

This is probably the problem. A leo needs BELLY HEAT and needs the heat to come from underneath. The lights may also be stressing him out.
Can you get ahold of a UTH (under tank heater)? If they don't sell them in your country, you can easily find them online. They adhere right to the glass underneath the tank and you provide a hide on the warm side. One side should be warm (95F, which I believe is about 35C), temp taken on the FLOOR, and the other side cool so they can self regulate. They MUST also have a cool area where they can cool off when needed. It's possible with the lighting he doesn't have this.
Good luck. Hope you can get him on track again.

 

[roger]

i dont think its the temps 33 c is fine guys.dont u think? since i'm seeing sand- impaction ? also u said shes been losing weight since she laid eggs.i wonder if shes egg bound.did she drop 2 eggs at a time ?

 

[Dog Shrink]

That is sand it's on... looked like paper towels in the smaller pic. Could be impaction but if the leo is still pooing somewhat regularly not as likely. I think when you're talking about a leo in this state of emaciation that you should have warmer than usual temps to help support the system. going up a couple degrees can't really hurt in the long run and 33c would be a minimum that I would keep a healthy leo at honestly. Good suggestion on the egg bound thing...

 

[Daedric1]

It looks like this leo is on the verge of death, and looks to be suffering.

Not only is it severely underweight, but it looks like it also has a calcium deficiency, and likely in a stage of metabolic bone disease because of this (note the kinks in the tail). Parasites may be preventing weight gain.

I believe you were sold a sick gecko, and the previous owner lied to you about laying eggs to make the sale. I really doubt one month's time could do something shown in your picture to the gecko, especially at the rate you are feeding (which is probably fine). However, make sure you are dusting your crickets with calcium powder with added vitamin D.

Sand is not good either, but it doesn't look like impaction is causing this, because the gecko is eating often. As long as your gecko is pooping and no sand is in the poop, impaction is not an issue and sand isn't a big threat at the moment. Fix it in the future, but you have more immediate things to worry about.

I doubt this gecko will make it, but at this point, you may have to get it eating some waxworms (add one after feeding a few crickets). Make sure you are dusting the crickets to get the calcium levels up. Also, leave a dish with calcium in the cage at all times. I think that's your only chance at this point.

 

[minimoe80]

Poor guy :-( I had to take over care for one that was abandoned by his owner not to long ago. And unfortunatly he obviously didnt pull through. He is in real bad shape :-( 4 crickets everyother day eating though is not bad. So I would say there is another problem :-(

 

[minimoe80]

I also would reccomend trying to get him to eat some Wax Worms. Try putting him in a seperate container that has nothing in it but him and a few worms

 

[Dog Shrink]

If he's eating regularly and not thriving there is an underlying issue that needs to be fixed first (usually with most species parasites). You can feed him until the cows come home but if the problem preventing him from absorbing nutrients isn't resolved first it won't do any good unfortunately. Hopefully you can find some one local to advise you on how to treat him.

 

[Oslodude]

hey..
you dont need to go to a herp vet to check for parasites, just bring a fecil sample to any vet and they can help you to analyze it .
and they shoud also be able to help with Medicine if he got parasites.

 

[momok3010]

Thanks to u all for replying my text and care about my leopard gecko.the previous owner told me that she after laying egg 8 months ago..im not really sure about the egg..but the previous owner told me that shes healthy..but until now shes havent gaining any weight..n havent shedding..
I left the superworm inside meal dish from the day she come until now she dont want to eat any..im really worried about her..i try to order UTH from online..waxworm also difficult to get at my country..

 

[Oslodude]

Thanks to u all for replying my text and care about my leopard gecko.the previous owner told me that she after laying egg 8 months ago..im not really sure about the egg..but the previous owner told me that shes healthy..but until now shes havent gaining any weight..n havent shedding..
I left the superworm inside meal dish from the day she come until now she dont want to eat any..im really worried about her..i try to order UTH from online..waxworm also difficult to get at my country..

hey..
everybody can see that you gecko is not helthy, the poor thing is so skinny. so there is obvious that the previous owner lied too you.
the first thing you have do is checking for parasits.
you can order waxworms online.

 

[momok3010]

but the previous owner told me that shes healthy thats why i bought from him..but i want to make sure my leos is healthy and happy with me..any website for the online order UTH...?

 

[Fencer04]

I think you are missing the point. You are trying to address things that may or may not be affecting the situation. If you or a family member were this sick you would at least see a doctor, possibly go to the hospital. The same needs to be done here. Bring a fecal sample to the vet. He will examine the poop to see if there are parasites. Any vet can do this and prescribe medicine that could help. Do that before you run around trying to fix things that aren't nearly as important.

 

[Dog Shrink]

Proper temperatures are just as important in my opinion. Too low and the leo slows down and doesn't have the drive to eat, coupled with the parasite load... not good. At least if the tank is warmer you hold a better chance of making the leo more apt to want to eat more. Are there any vets that would be willing to do a stool check for ya? Maybe a university/college biology department even?

Here is a site where you can order a good UTH as well: http://www.reptiledirect.com/cobraheatmats.aspx

or

http://www.joshsfrogs.com/category/136/Reptile-Heat-Mats

 

[Daedric1]

Proper temperatures are just as important in my opinion. Too low and the leo slows down and doesn't have the drive to eat, coupled with the parasite load... not good. At least if the tank is warmer you hold a better chance of making the leo more apt to want to eat more.

+1

 

[roger]

I think you are missing the point. You are trying to address things that may or may not be affecting the situation. If you or a family member were this sick you would at least see a doctor, possibly go to the hospital. The same needs to be done here. Bring a fecal sample to the vet. He will examine the poop to see if there are parasites. Any vet can do this and prescribe medicine that could help. Do that before you run around trying to fix things that aren't nearly as important.

If the gecko is not emptying herself out u cant get a fecal sample! although u still need to bring her in

 

[momok3010]

thanks guy..tomoro im going to vet bring my leo..hope they can make check up to her n give some med...