Help!

[earls413]

I've had Leonard for around 6 years and he's always been very active and feisty. He's a little spoiled too I tend to hand feed him or feed him with tongs, we'll this past week he's been ignoring me and not taking food from me so I left them in his food dish. Well today I opened his enclosure to try to feed him and he's huddled on his warm side with his eyes closed not moving, I pick him up and he doesn't squirm or anything. I then notice his beautiful plump tail is skinny now and I know that's a bad sign is there anything I can do before I take him to the vet Monday, if he makes it til then

 

[The Gecko Person]

Try soaking him in luke warm water, just about 3/4 of an inch, for 20 minutes. It sounds like he is dehydrated.

 

[earls413]

I did as you said he lapped at the water and sat there for awhile then climbed out which is the most movement he's had all day. He still won't eat though and he always has fresh water so I don't know why he found the soaking water so delish but won't drink his.

 

[The Gecko Person]

I did as you said he lapped at the water and sat there for awhile then climbed out which is the most movement he's had all day. He still won't eat though and he always has fresh water so I don't know why he found the soaking water so delish but won't drink his.

:main_laugh:
What were you feeding him? Is his tail very thick? If you can upload a picture, it might help.

 

[ElapidSVT]

is the warm side of the cage still warm?
what substrate is he on?
has anything changed in the past month or two?

 

[earls413]

He usually eats meal worms but is refusing them, he dislikes crickets. He had a very fat tail and now its the same size as his body. He's on slate tile and his warm side is still warm thats the first thing I checked I've had a heater go out before.

 

[earls413]

I'm horrible at uploading but you can go to my album and see what he's supposed to look like.

 

[sausage]

hes a very good looking gecko, sorry to hear hes sick.
by the sounds of things if he is on slate and the warm side is up to correct temp for digestion then it could be parasites?
Its a good thing your having him checked out now befor he gets worse
keep us updated when you take him to the vets tomorrow.

 

[earls413]

How do you get a parasite and how do you get rid of them. He's got to eat or he's gonna die I'm afraid. I've tried mealworms, waxworms, superworms, and crickets he refuses to eat.

 

[The Gecko Person]

They can go awhile without food. If his tail is still thick I wouldn't worry about it. If you want to take him to the vet it would probably be a good idea, just in case something is wrong.

 

[earls413]

His tail isn't thick anymore it's the same size as his body, can I force feed him.

 

[The Gecko Person]

I wouldn't force feed him. That just stresses them out. The best thing you can do is bring him to the vet tomorrow.

 

[earls413]

The vets gonna charge me 300 is there anything I can do here?

 

[The Gecko Person]

Just wait a while, and leave food available to him. A picture would help.

 

[The Gecko Person]

Also, keep soaking him every day.

 

[earls413]

I've been soaking him everyday the first two soakings he would sit there forever today he jumped out after about 5 minutes he's more active today but still isn't eating.

 

[sausage]

I wouldnt worry so much, geckos can decide to fast some times for no reason at all. some times weather changes play a part.
they can get parasites from the feeder insects you feed them but its highly unlikely.
Just keep an eye on him for a while. once his tail starts to get thinner then his body then its time for the vets regardless of the price im afraid.
Hes relying on you to look after him dont forget

 

[earls413]

I'm taking him to the vet today he looks so pitiful I've done some research and made some suggestions to the vet to cut my costs, your right I said if I ever get to the point where I can't take care of my pet I need to find someone who can. I'm not ready to see him go yet so I'll figure something out I'll keep you updated.

 

[earls413]

Prognosis was not good I took stool samples that they couldn't test, they looked at him said his liver looked enlarged, abdomen is extended and he's bad dehydrated from not eating or drinking. Told them about environment showed then pictures etc, they said everything I was doing in care was right except maybe he needed some more uv light they asked if his enclosure was covered i said yes, they said they could do a cloaca flush, xray, fluids, hand feed, and blood work but they doubted it would be effective and he may not get better. They gave me the choice of hand feeding him they called it critical care feeding or euthanasia. I choose to try and save him and if I'm unable to help him I'll let him go thanks for all the responses.

 

[earls413]

The critical care feedings not working he wont swallow the slurry and vomits what does go down its not looking good.