gecko CANT eat?

[kyliegp]

My leopard gecko is just over a year old and hasn't been eating as much as usual lately (i know because i'm finding way more escaped worms in his tank and he seems skinnier). I decided to sit and watch and make sure he eats today and he missed 9/10 times, and whenever he did catch one he flicked his head a few times and just dropped it. He gave up and went back into his cave after about 15-20 minutes of this. I'm not sure what the problem could be? his heating/lighting is same as its always been, I get the worms from the same place I always have. It's not that he wont eat or doesn't want to eat, he just doesn't seem capable of getting them down.

 

[queso]

It's possible he could be blind? What kind of lighting are you using?

 

[kyliegp]

He seems to still be able to focus on one before attempting to strike... Maybe blind in one eye and has no depth perception? I have a heat lamp but its rarely on because the temp is good with just the under tank heater.

 

[cowana]

Have you tried feeding him with tongs or your fingers? It is a bit more tedious, but if he is having trouble striking a moving target it may be the best choice.

I have a RAPTOR female that is a really "clumsy" hunter. I'm still trying to figure out the cause. She will often strike in the spot the feeder was a moment before, or at the tongs and not the feeder. Her aim is obviously not great. So I either have to feed her with the tongs, my fingers, or put worms/roaches in an escape proof bowl.

 

[cowana]

If he is still struggling with that and starts to really significantly drop weight then you may have to start to assist feed him.

 

[kyliegp]

I took him out yesterday after watching him struggle and tried to assist feed him, he had completely lost interest at that point, maybe because he was out of the tank and wanted to explore. I had put him on a solid surface with just him and the worms laid out in front of him and dangled them in front of him too. I will try to assist him leaving him in the tank tonight and see how that goes

 

[cowana]

I tong or finger feed mine while they are still in their tank, otherwise they get too distracted. You may try starting off doing that before assist feeding. It can be a bit stressful for some geckos. The tong feeding in the tank works well for me and my girl. She still miss and sometimes gets the tongs, but with it mostly holding still she is much more successful. If you don't have tongs fingers or tweezers work. It really doesn't hurt if they nip you by accident. I just use tongs because I have a back injury and constantly bending over the tank to feed with my fingers would be too much. LOL

If you have to go the assisted feeding route...Sometimes it helps to get a bit of the worm's guts out and rub them on the geckos lips.

 

[cowana]

If he isn't able to eat with the tongs, I highly suggest taking him to a reptile vet. The fact he is spitting out the food he does catch is worrisome. It suggests he may be having an issue inside of his mouth, or something else going on.