Help Me!!

[Geck-O]

My gecko whom I've had for 4-5 weeks still hasn't eaten. What should I do? I'm really worried. He's starting to look quite skinny. The temp on the hot side is around 90-95. On the cold side it's around 75-80. I offer him mealies every 2 days. There is a bowl of mealies inside at all times. The bowl is a jam jar lid so it's very low and Spot has no problem spotting the mealies inside. In the shop he was kept at, he was fed mealies. There is also a bowl of water and calcium inside the tank. If there is anything else you need to know please tell me.

 

[OhioGecko]

What are you using for heat?

Can you stabilize your warm size to 95?

 

[fallen_angel]

Do you know what she was eating before you got her?

My first recommendation would be Marcia's Slurry (http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=19356), which was designed to give geckos essential nutrients during times that they do not eat, among other things. It's a list of things that you need to combine together, and it works great. Geckos lap this stuff up pretty well and it's been proven to help malnourished leos bounce back to normal weights and better health. We have used this stuff on several occasions and keep some frozen cubes handy in the freezer.

As a second option, you can also buy this stuff online that is an appetite stimulant - called Jump Start. It can also be found at some stores. We have actually never tried this, but it seems to work for a lot of people. There may be cheaper prices somewhere else, I didn't look around too much, but here is what you're looking for: http://www.zilla-rules.com/products/caloric-supplement-appetite-stimulant.htm

As a third option, you can feed chicken flavored baby food as well. Turkey will do just as good too. We have had to do this at one point for a gecko that wasn't eating, because we didn't have the stuff to make the slurry at the time.

All three methods will give your gecko some kind of food/nutrients while they are going through a period of not eating, so you don't have to worry about them losing too much weight. A syringe works best, and you can find them at this website: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=5763&c=5059 They can also be found at a Veterinary hospital, which is where we got ours.

Good luck

 

[Neill]

Try crickets they move around causing gecko to go Into hunting mode. Mealies don't move a lot I notice my geckos do not notice mealies but will go for crickets. Hope this may work

 

[Gregg M]

Why does everyone go right to the slurry and fecal exams??? It could be a husbandry issue causing the leo not to eat...

How about a detailed run down of your set up??? Cage type, temps, and other husbandry info...

 

[fallen_angel]

that's what Thad already asked.

I just copied and pasted from an e-mail because this is a commonly asked question apparently

 

[Geck-O]

Spot is kept in a 12x12" Exo-Terra cage and has 2 hides. One of them is a Exo-Terra cave and a plastic container. Spot poops a LOT. His poo isn't really like normal gecko poo. The first day I got him, he regurgitated some mealies that he ate in the shop and pooped normal gecko poo.

 

[fallen_angel]

Also Gregg, since when is giving advice a bad thing? You act like you're in some kind of competition to always be right. Anyone is free to give the advice they deem necessary. Don't get so worked up just because I offered some options with hand-feeding.

 

[Mel&Keith]

Collin, do you have a heat source for him? If you don't you need to get an Under Tank Heater to place under one side of the tank ASAP. If the temperatures are not correct, Leos have a hard time digesting their food.

 

[catvettech]

Also Gregg, since when is giving advice a bad thing? You act like you're in some kind of competition to always be right. Anyone is free to give the advice they deem necessary. Don't get so worked up just because I offered some options with hand-feeding.

Ahhhh.....take no offense to him. Madden also gets "mad" at others. It is just normal for him. Right, Madden?

 

[Leopard.Geckerz]

Turning this thread into a snark war isn't going to help the gecko. The OP posted temps as well as enclosure info. I'm not an expert but I'd try some different types of feeders (crickets, waxworms just to spur some appetite) and then move to the slurry..it's been awhile and the case is getting desperate.

 

[OhioGecko]

What are you using for heat?

Lights?
What kind of lights?
Under the tank heat?

 

[Geck-O]

Spot has a UTH.

 

[Claudio Martins]

Spot has a UTH.

You really need to answer all the questions that they asking you, otherwise they won't be able to help you out

 

[Mel&Keith]

If the housing is properly set up and you've tried different types of feeders then it's probably time to start with the slurry and make a vet appointment.