Four week hunger strike, how long should this last?

[electrofelt]

Hi everyone. So my female adult gecko has been on hunger strike for about a month now and I am getting a little nervous about it. She has not lost any weight though, actually she has been at her highest weight throughout the entire process (40 grams). She is active, bright eyed, and acting perfectly normal. She also shed about a week ago. She is just not interested in food what so ever. I have been told that if she is acting normal and has not lost weight that I shouldn't worry, I am just wondering how long this process should go on because it is beginning to be a long time.

She roughly eats 3 mealworms each week, but the majority of the time I offer food, she glances at it and then walks away. Normally she eats like she is starving and immediately lunges at the worms. I know she is not blind or having a hard time seeing the food because her eyes react to light and when she does eat the food, she grabs it on the first try. I do periodically see her at the water bowl and from time to time I offer her water from a dropper which she laps up.

I am mostly worried about her vitamin intake. She had MBD so I really want to make sure she is getting the calcium and vitamins she needs. Do you think it would be OK if I added the vitamins to the water and offer it to her from the dropper? Has anyone else had a hunger strike last this long? She has ignored food for long periods before, but it usually doesn't last longer that two weeks. I'm just looking for a little advice on the matter.

 

[OnlineGeckos]

I've had a female go 4 weeks without eating because she was ovulating. So yes it can be normal as long as you know there's nothing else wrong with her. If you keep track of her weight and she's not losing weight, chances are she is fine, and she just may be ovulating or gravid.

And yes you can offer vitamin/calcium to her via a dropper. Someone else mentioned dipping your finger in water, then into vitamin powder, then dab it around their mouth. They'll lick it off. That works as well.

 

[electrofelt]

I've had a female go 4 weeks without eating because she was ovulating. So yes it can be normal as long as you know there's nothing else wrong with her. If you keep track of her weight and she's not losing weight, chances are she is fine, and she just may be ovulating or gravid.

And yes you can offer vitamin/calcium to her via a dropper. Someone else mentioned dipping your finger in water, then into vitamin powder, then dab it around their mouth. They'll lick it off. That works as well.

That's actually a really good idea. I had never thought of dipping my finger and doing that trick. I will have to try it. Anyways, thank you for the quick response, I was just getting a little worried.

If she is ovulating, how would I know and should I do anything out of the ordinary? Do I need to provide a laying box? I am pretty well read with general husbandry, but I do not know anything relating to reproducing/mating/or pregnancy.

 

[OnlineGeckos]

This thread shows you some pictures, you can also read up more here.

You are pretty much looking for a pink dot or sphere on her belly. That's a good indication she's ovulating or gravid. They can lay infertile eggs even without having been with a male, so yes providing a laybox is a good idea if you know your female is ovulating. Good luck!