Failure to thrive?

[hds1492]

I got my leo from a large chain store in late May. Since then, I have not noticed a whole lot of growth. His weight as of a few days ago is 12g. Previously, in June, he weighed 8g. I took him to the vet a little less than 2 weeks ago, and the vet suspected parasites, so he was given some dewormer, and will be going back to get a second dose on Monday. His tail was not very thick when I got him, but it has gotten a bit thicker in the months that I have had him. Aside from possible parasites, does anyone have any ideas as to why he is not growing?

Additional info: After his last shed (almost 2 weeks ago), he stopped eating, and the vet gave me some Carnivore Care, which I gave him for a week and a half. He is now eating again, and eats at least 8-10 medium Phoenix worms or mealworms, and then several crickets (4-6 usually) a day. He often eats more than that.

July 5th


Tonight

 

[DrCarrotTail]

My guess would be parasites. I picked up a few geckos in the recent past with pinworms. I gave a dose of Panacur (fenbendazole) once a week for three weeks. It usually took a week or two after the third dose to see drastic improvement. Most that weren't gaining weight before started to eat like pigs and gain rapidly. I would also triple check your husbandry and make sure your temps and setup is perfect for him. If it is and the wormer doesn't work I'd be stumped and attribute it to a genetic or internal issue. He's definitely chunky enough to last a few weeks without food so you've started trying to help him in time!! Fingers crossed for you and the cute little guy!!

 

[hds1492]

About your leo:
- Sex: I'm pretty sure male
- Age & Weight: A few months old/12g
- How long have you owned your leo: Since late May
- Where was he/she obtained (ex. Pet store, breeder, wild caught, friend): large chain store

A) Health/History
- How often do you handle your leo: Once per day, usually, but for no more than 5-10 mins. He is fine with being handled.
- Is your leo acting any different today? If so how does he/she normally act which differs from now: His behavior hasn't changed.
- Has he/she had any problems in the past, if so please describe: He used to have some shedding issues that I think started before I got him (he had partially missing toes when I got him). Since being moved to an enclosure with a UTH and a moist hide, he has had an easier time shedding.
B) Fecals
- Describe (look any different than normal): They seem kind of large most of the time. Probably close to 3/4" long, urates are white
- When was the last time he/she went: Today
C) Problem
- Please briefly describe the problem and how long it has been going on: Slow/lack of growth

Housing:
A) Enclosure
- Size: 20L
- Type (ex. glass tank): Glass tank
- Type of substrate: Paper towels
- Hides, how many, what kind: 3, warm hide over UTH, moist hide in middle of tank, cool hide on cool side
B) Heating
- Heat source: UTH
- Cage temps (hot side, cool side) Warm side from 90*-93*, depending on spot, cool hide about 80*
- Method of regulating heat source: Hydrofarm Thermostat
- What are you using to measure your temps: Infrared heat gun
- Do you have any lights (describe): Just whatever light comes through the window
C) Cage mates
- How many (males, females): None
- Describe health, or previous problems: N/A

Describe Diet:
A) Typical diet
- What you're feeding (how often, how much): Mealworms (8-10+ per day, alternate with Phoenix worms), Phoenix worms (8-10+ per day, alternate with mealworms), crickets (4-6+ per day)
- How are you feeding (hand fed, left in dish, ect): I leave mealworms in his dish, but he usually doesn't touch them unless I tong feed him. Crickets he hunts. Phoenix worms I pierce and drop into his tank, and he runs over and eats them.
B) Supplements (describe how often)
- What vitamin/minerals are you using (list brands): Reptivite with D3
- What are you gut loading food with: Gutload from Professionalreptiles.com for crickets, will be using same for mealworms

 

[hds1492]

My guess would be parasites. I picked up a few geckos in the recent past with pinworms. I gave a dose of Panacur (fenbendazole) once a week for three weeks. It usually took a week or two after the third dose to see drastic improvement. Most that weren't gaining weight before started to eat like pigs and gain rapidly. I would also triple check your husbandry and make sure your temps and setup is perfect for him. If it is and the wormer doesn't work I'd be stumped and attribute it to a genetic or internal issue. He's definitely chunky enough to last a few weeks without food so you've started trying to help him in time!! Fingers crossed for you and the cute little guy!!

Thanks so much for your response!! I'm hoping it's parasites-I want to see him grow up to be a big boy