Help please! (Gecko wont eat)

[kayleyamber]

Hopefully this is the right section! But anyways, I'm in need of advice because my gecko won't eat and it's been about a month now and the petstore seems to be useless for help since everyone gives me a different answer so hopefully someone can give me a final answer because I've noticed his tail is shrinking and I'm getting very worried (he's still a juvenile and quite small)

The first week I got him he ate 1 mealworm, that was it. I tried crickets and he seems to be scared of them?? I even tried feeding him out of his tank and that didn't work either. I have the right heat source so I'm sure that's not the problem.. I have an under tank heater and a day and night lamp too and the temperatures seem to be right. I went to the petstore the other day and the lady said to try wax worms to try and get his appetite up, which he finally ate 8 of them. I know they're supposed to be used as treats only once in a while but his tail Is shrinking and he's back to not eating again, I'm thinking he could be full but I'm not sure. Someone please help! This is my first time having a leopard gecko as a pet and I've done so much research and still not sure what the problem is.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Neon Aurora]

Please go to this link, fill out the form, and paste it here. Then we'll be able to help you better. =)

http://geckoforums.net/f130-health-medications/70912.htm

 

[kayleyamber]

About your leo:
- Sex /: Male
- Age & Weight :The petstore didnt specify im guessing a few months old, not sure about the weight.
- How long have you owned your leo: 1 month exactly today
- Where was he/she obtained (ex. Pet store, breeder, wild caught, friend): Petstore (++++++++)

A) Health/History
- How often do you handle your leo: Daily
- Is your leo acting any different today? If so how does he/she normally act which differs from now.: No different
- Has he/she had any problems in the past, if so please describe.: None
B) Fecals
- Describe (look any different than normal) some are white and some are brown?
- When was the last time he/she went: this morning
C) Problem
- Please briefly describe the problem and how long it has been going on
Wont eat and its been about a month, its ate 1 or 2 mealworms the first week I got him. Ate 9 waxworms the other day but it looks like hes thrown some of it up? I cant really tell if its poo or vomit.
Housing:
A) Enclosure
- Size 10 gallon
- Type (ex. glass tank) Glass tank
- Type of substrate Repti carpet
- Hides, how many, what kind: 2 hides, one for shedding and other one for him to hide under.
B) Heating
- Heat source: Undertank heater and red and blue bulbs for daytime/night
- Cage temps (hot side, cool side) Cool side 79 Fahrenheit / Warm Side 85 Fahrenheit
- Method of regulating heat source
- What are you using to measure your temps: i have 2 thermometers one on each side
- Do you have any lights (describe) red and blue bulbs for daytime/night
C) Cage mates
- How many (males, females) none
- Describe health, or previous problems none

Describe Diet:
A) Typical diet
- What you're feeding (how often, how much) Mealworms and Waxworms , tried crickets and he seems to be scared ( try giving him 2 mealworms at a time, doesnt eat them.. gave him 9 waxworms the other day and ate all of them.. wont eat anything now)
- How are you feeding (hand fed, left in dish, ect) Hand feeding
B) Supplements (describe how often) Calcium
- What vitamin/minerals are you using (list brands) Water conditioner and Electrolyte & Vitamin D3 (Exo Terra)
- What are you gut loading food with


This picture is of my gecko just a few days after I brought him home
http://puu.sh/cdqNk/de700d4aef.jpg
http://puu.sh/c7Jbn/0daf82b678.png

----
Just took these pictures of him a few minutes ago so these are the most recent ones
http://puu.sh/cDsbx/49c35283ac.jpg
http://puu.sh/cDscq/f440cad1b6.jpg

I've done tons of research before and even after I've gotten him and I can't seem to find the solution. I want to figure out whats wrong with my little guy before its too late, help

 

[Neon Aurora]

He doesn't look too terrible, although it is suspicious that he lost that much weight in one month. I might suspect parasites. Sometimes, geckos from petstores (big chain ones, particularly) can come with parasites or other illnesses. It's not uncommon, and this can be resolved through a vet. Some people de-worm themselves, but I don't know if I would play around with that since your guy is looking a little thin.

Have you been handling him every day since you got him? If not, how long did you give him to settle in? If he hasn't been eating, I would keep handling to a bare minimum to reduce stress. Only handling for necessary maintnance activities (cleaning and what-not).

Your set up seems pretty good, but what kind of thermometers are you using? are they dials, or digital ones with probes? Make sure your floor temps on the warm side get to 90. I would also recommend having 3 hides. One cool, one warm, one moist.

He's pooping, which is good, because it means he is not impacted.

 

[rothsauce]

The lamps could be stressing him out, belly heat is needed more than over head heating. Many only use heat lamps if the room gets too cold, but most of the time a heat pad will work just fine. If more heat is needed a ceramic heater would likely be better. No light, all warmth. He would also probably due well with being handled so often. They do need some time to adjust. I'd say just do any normal cleaning and leave the little guy to acclimate.

I'd also encourage putting in a small bowl to fill with mealies - add in a piece of carrot for a water source and a bit of extra gut loading, if he's hungry but just scared he will eventually explore when it's quiet and might try the worms on his own. If it's also what he's used to, hand feeding might be to new for him and need to be worked up to. Tong feeding might work better, but there's now way to say for sure.
It may be possible that he has some kind of parasite, normally there is really no way to tell unless you take him to a vet.

 

[kayleyamber]

He doesn't look too terrible, although it is suspicious that he lost that much weight in one month. I might suspect parasites. Sometimes, geckos from petstores (big chain ones, particularly) can come with parasites or other illnesses. It's not uncommon, and this can be resolved through a vet. Some people de-worm themselves, but I don't know if I would play around with that since your guy is looking a little thin.

Have you been handling him every day since you got him? If not, how long did you give him to settle in? If he hasn't been eating, I would keep handling to a bare minimum to reduce stress. Only handling for necessary maintnance activities (cleaning and what-not).

Your set up seems pretty good, but what kind of thermometers are you using? are they dials, or digital ones with probes? Make sure your floor temps on the warm side get to 90. I would also recommend having 3 hides. One cool, one warm, one moist.

He's pooping, which is good, because it means he is not impacted.

I gave him about 4-5 days until I started handling him, he isnt squirmy when i hold him either he sits on my hand in one place.
For thermometers they are stick on ones, one also has a humidity dial one, i head they arent the best so im gonna invest in either a digital one or one of the laser one soon if you have any recommendations?

Also i have one of these in his tank
http://supershopsite.com/product_image/Pet/top-fin-balinese-lantern.jpg
he likes to climb up and hide in it so im sure i can count that as a hide, if it can, i have 3 then

Im wondering if it isnt the temperatures then? Maybe the dials are reading wrong.. The lady at the petstore said if he still doesnt eat I can force feed him but If might a parasite I'll need to take him in asap cause I'm leaving to go on a holiday soon and don't want to leave it any longer so worried it makes me sick

 

[kayleyamber]

The lamps could be stressing him out, belly heat is needed more than over head heating. Many only use heat lamps if the room gets too cold, but most of the time a heat pad will work just fine. If more heat is needed a ceramic heater would likely be better. No light, all warmth. He would also probably due well with being handled so often. They do need some time to adjust. I'd say just do any normal cleaning and leave the little guy to acclimate.

I'd also encourage putting in a small bowl to fill with mealies - add in a piece of carrot for a water source and a bit of extra gut loading, if he's hungry but just scared he will eventually explore when it's quiet and might try the worms on his own. If it's also what he's used to, hand feeding might be to new for him and need to be worked up to. Tong feeding might work better, but there's now way to say for sure.
It may be possible that he has some kind of parasite, normally there is really no way to tell unless you take him to a vet.

So are they fine in the dark then at night? Or should I have a little lamp beside it?? because my room gets pitch black at night usually.

 

[Neon Aurora]

The stick on ones aren't the best because they can't measure floor temps. Most of the digital ones with probes are fine to use. Personally, I use the ones by zoo med. I also have a temp gun.

Some people like to squeeze the guts out of feeders and smear them on the geckos nose. They'll lick it off and get some nutrients from that. There is also a bug-slurry recipe I can give you that it very helpful. Actual force feeding can be difficult on such small geckos and will cause more stress.

Even though he is not squirming when you handle him, he is still most likely stressed out. Although it doesn't appear stressful to us, handling is very unnatural for them. I would leave him alone for now.

I would still put another hide in there because leos feel most secure in places that are dark and they can remain completely hidden. Nothing fancy, even a little cardboard box will suffice.

If getting him to a vet is possibly, I would recommend it so they can test for parasites.

And they are fine in the dark. Actually, since they are nocturnal, they feel most comfortable when it's dark.

 

[kayleyamber]

I'm going to get a different temperature thermometer tomorrow and wait it out a few days, see if anything changes. If not i'll be going to the vet friday since that's when my local reptile vet is available.
Thanks for all your help!

 

[DrCarrotTail]

My advice would be to get a probe thermometer or an IRT and triple check your temps. I would assume your floor temps may be super hot if your gecko is climbing up on that pagoda thing, your UTH is unregulated and your gecko is losing weight quickly. Air temps should be around 80 to no higher than 85 and the floor should have a 90 degree warm spot. Anything over 93 is a bit too hot. I'd also make sure he has at least two hides where he can get 100% out of the light and into the dark and shut off the heat lights you're using. Once you get your husbandry right and he still isn't eating then I would worry about other causes. A fecal and/or a trip to a vet if your worried can't hurt though!

 

[kayleyamber]

update: i've taken him to the vet and they said he is healthy! im just working on getting his apetite on track, they force fed him and showed me how to do it and he should (hopefully) be eating properly within the next few days!!