**HELP! New Leo Not Eating**

[ChloeScott]

We have recently bought two juvenile Leo's (approx. 16 weeks), one of the two is really taking well to the food as we've seen he/her eat crickets on multiple occasions, but the other we haven't seen eat at all. The vet we took them to for a health check said that Gatts (the one not eating) was on the skinny side and suggested crushing up crickets or mealworms to entice her. This hasn't seemed to work, and we are getting a little worried. There are no signs of shedding and the vet agreed they are very healthy. Neither gecko is stressed since the move as we are aware, how long should we leave this without taking action? We are new reptile owners, but I've worked at Pets at Home so I have a general idea about their health and wellbeing; hope someone can help us

Thank you!
Chloe and Jack

About your leo:
- Sex - Unknown as young
- Age & Weight - 16 weeks, too young/light to weigh
- How long have you owned your leo - 1 week
- Where was he/she obtained - Pets at Home

A) Health/History
- How often do you handle your leo- Everyday for around 15 mins max.
- Is your leo acting any different today? If so how does he/she normally act which differs from now - No
- Has he/she had any problems in the past, if so please describe. - Not aware/informed of any
B) Fecals
- Describe (look any different than normal) - Mixture of solid and sticky, been tested by vet and are awaiting results
- When was the last time he/she went - Unsure as we have 2, but found fresh faecal matter last night
C) Problem
- Please briefly describe the problem and how long it has been going on - see above

Housing:
A) Enclosure
- Size -3ft Monkfield Vivarium
- Type - Wood with glass front
- Type of substrate - 1/4 repti carpet, 3/4 desert sand (no compaction concerns atm)
- Hides, how many, what kind - 1 log tunnel (Habba Hut), 1 skull, 1 ExoTerra gecko cave
B) Heating
- Heat source - 75w night heat lamp, ProRep heat mat (covers 1/4 of viv)
- Cage temp - hot side 30-32 degrees, cold side 28 degrees
- Method of regulating heat source - manual, investing in thermostat this week
- What are you using to measure your temp - stick on thermometer
- Do you have any lights - Exo Terra 75w Night Heat lamp
C) Cage mates - 1 unknown gender (Spyro) but always lived together
- How many (males, females) - Possibly male, unsure
- Describe health, or previous problems - no problems, no aggression or biting, both very friendly geckos

Describe Diet:
A) Typical diet
- What you're feeding - 4 crickets each once daily, dish of mini mealworms at all times
- How are you feeding -mealworms in dish, crickets roaming, tried handfeeding with no response
B) Supplements
- What vitamin/minerals are you using - VetArk Calcidust and VetArk Nutrobal
- What are you gut loading food with -ProRep Bug Grub​

 

[indyana]

Because you've only had your geckos about a week, I would try to disturb and handle Gatts as little as possible and continue offering food. She's likely still adjusting to the move. The vet's fecal test should tell you whether there might be an underlying parasite infection to treat. When you first get them, however, it can be a waiting game.

Because they are sharing a cage, you can't really be certain whether Gatts is eating/pooping, but hopefully, you will see her eating soon. They can be sneaky when they want to be...

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I'd make sure everything she needs is within a half square foot in the tank. Babies don't deal well with huge spaces and need food/water/shelter close by to keep them happy and stress free. Also, 15 minutes a day is a lot of handling. I usually recommend no handling at all for the first two weeks after a move and then no more than 5 minutes twice a week until they are 30g+. Once they are that size a more extended period of time every other day or so shouldn't bother a healthy gecko.

I usually leave a few mealworms in a bowl all times so new can eat when I'm not around if they're scared. If you see poop she's eating!

 

[Ozy]

You don't need those lamps, and the stick on thermometers are pretty useless. Also, I would advice replacing the sand because there is a very real chance they could get impacted. It's not good to leave crickets in the cage because they can bite and injure your geckos. I agree with Doc in the no handling department. I didn't even attempt to handle Ozy for the first month after I had her.

 

[Ashleigh]

when i got my female she didnt seem to eat anything for a couple of weeks because it was a new environment to her, they could just settling in and may be a bit stressed

 

[john92w]

I got a 9 month old female about 4 months ago and she only started eating properly about 3 weeks ago. She didn't lose any noticeable weight but she did move around quite slowly. She is now active and eating up to 10 locusts every 2 days so i wouldnt worry and just let her settle in.


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