how skinny is too skinny?

[angel913]

i've had baby since 6/7, and he still has a fairly slim tail though he stalks and eats crickets daily, has enjoyed a few waxworms here and there, and regularly drinks water and poops. he's about 4 inches long and looks nothing like the pics of the other leos i've seen on here. he lost a couple toes from an incomplete shed, was pooping out the pet store's sand substrate the first couple days, but seems livelier now, though still skinny. if he's 6 weeks old and spent the first 4 in an overcrowded, poorly set-up store tank, is it possible he just needs some time to store some fat? i'm really attached to him, and have learned soooo much from lurking here. i thought the worst when i got him, but made the changes you all suggested to others, and feel he's really started thriving - except for still being far skinnier than even some hatchling pics i've seen. also, is it too early to tell what morph he is? i'd love to know what he'll look like when he grows up. the pic of him on the coconut hide is from a few days ago, and seemed to had grams to him, btw. thanks in advance - you guys are incredible. :main_yes:

 

[SleepyDee]

being kept in an 'overcrowded, poorly set-up store tank' may account for him being skinny but personally I would have a fecal tests done to rule out any underlying causes such as parasites/worms etc

 

[stellascura420]

I agree on the fecal exam. You don't even have to bring the leo in with you, just a fresh poo in a baggie. But you really want to make sure he doesn't have any parasites because if he does, he could eat like a pig and still not gain any weight. Worms are pretty easy to treat also. Good luck and let us know how he does! I'm not familiar with identifying morphs and stuff so sorry I can't help ya there, but he's really cute!

 

[angel913]

parasites? i guess i didn't consider them because he doesn't have the symptoms i thought they came with: appetite or weight loss, listlessness, etc... i dealt with mites on my red tail boa, and i don't think baby has any external stuff happening. he hasn't lost weight - he just hasn't gained enough to show a visible change. should his tail be visibly fatter after two weeks? i'll get the fecal, but would prefer not to place undue alarm on the situation, ya know?

 

[stellascura420]

Sometimes leos can get pinworms from eating infected crickets and they're more common in pet store leos. There's no need for alarm but it's always better to be safe than sorry. :main_yes: I just got a really skinny adult leo a week ago and she's already starting to gain a little a weight back so I'm sure your new baby will be just fine as long as he keeps eating.

 

[geckofan2009]

you have what i like to call a survivor..my first gecko was very small. almost no fat supply in the tail..and a baby..about one year later shes about 90 grams and a monster.


no harm can come to taking it to the vet..and even if there isnt an issue..at least you will know

really would recommend getting mealworms(in addition to crickets) and a smooth ceramic dish so they cant escape. this way they can eat whenever they want..
and you can always offer them food this way..and not stress them

something like these

http://www.petstore.com/ps_ViewItem...ife&idProduct=ES68521&IdCategory=RPBFBO&tab=2

 

[GeckoGathering]

SCALE NEEDED

i've had baby since 6/7, and he still has a fairly slim tail though he stalks and eats crickets daily, has enjoyed a few waxworms here and there, and regularly drinks water and poops. he's about 4 inches long and looks nothing like the pics of the other leos i've seen on here. he lost a couple toes from an incomplete shed, was pooping out the pet store's sand substrate the first couple days, but seems livelier now, though still skinny. if he's 6 weeks old and spent the first 4 in an overcrowded, poorly set-up store tank, is it possible he just needs some time to store some fat? i'm really attached to him, and have learned soooo much from lurking here. i thought the worst when i got him, but made the changes you all suggested to others, and feel he's really started thriving - except for still being far skinnier than even some hatchling pics i've seen. also, is it too early to tell what morph he is? i'd love to know what he'll look like when he grows up. the pic of him on the coconut hide is from a few days ago, and seemed to had grams to him, btw. thanks in advance - you guys are incredible. :main_yes:

Sorry if I missed it, but I see no place where you give a
weight for this 6 week baby.
#1 Stool sample needs to be tested.
It does look long in the photos, and appears
not only in the tail but also the body under weight.
But of course that's a guess from a photo.
A scale is really needed in cases of weight concerns.
And I know they cost about 20 bucks so I don't want this
to sound like some kind of a-hole mean remark.
Can't afford the scale right now, pack her in a container.(remember air for her)
Take an extra like container.
Go to a local non chain jewelry store, pet shop, or a
good one is the Post office**tell the agent you are thinking about sending her Priority mail..can get free boxes there in advance...etc.
May sound guttsee, but what the hey.
Office Max.have her in your pocket....look at scales...Shazam!
She needs monitored some way for sure.
Grams are hard to see.
Take care. HJ​

 

[angel913]

We're seeing a vet next week, but I sense he has Crypto. I came home today and he was lying flat over a dried, light brown puddle. In front of that was normal looking poop (I guess), and beside that, the carcass of last night's waxworm. It's possible it was just too big, but I can't imagine he doesn't have something wrong internally.

But even in the ominous pile of waste and too-skinny tail, he looks strangely healthy today. His skin was once dry-looking and hard, and today it seems supple - paler - but healthier overall. He's been spending a lot of time in his humid hide, so maybe that's it. Gotta clean the tank now.

 

[angel913]

He's dead. Thanks for all your help.

 

[SleepyDee]

sorry to hear that

 

[angel913]

I had him for just 18 days, but I got so attached. I took a pic of how I found him today, and his underside looked bad. Very flat and dark, which I hadn't seen before. I called the pet store, crying, and though it's beyond their 15 day guarantee, they offered to give me "a healthy one." Didn't realize I should have specified that's what I wanted the first time. Of course, I'm not getting another right away (especially from them), though I'm a fan of the breed now. Again, thanks guys.

 

[stellascura420]

so sorry about your little guy

 

[gordmit]

Very sad story, sorry for your loss.

 

[laughing dog]

did you ever find out what was wrong, or make sure it isnt contsagious to your other herps, or you? maybe it was looking good because it went into shock before it passed, or found piece in that you tried?

 

[angel913]

i appreciate that idea... i constantly think about it, wondering why i saw him as healthy just the day before he went, though it was clear he was dying after. i wasn't going to post the pics i took that day, but it might help someone else, or help identify what was wrong. i took two of him when i came home and saw that he'd thrown up, and of the weird, dried brown spot he was in. then one of him deceased. i also included a shot of him eating the day before, when it seemed he was doing better.

 

[LizMarie]

So sorry to hear about your leo. It seems like he had NO fat reserve in his tail at ALL, poor thing.

Could that spot on his stomach be Fatty Liver disease?

 

[peppered...leopard]

so sorry angel.....where do you live???

 

[jschaf1]

So Sorry for your loss.

 

[gitrdone0420]

wow, how terrible. Yea, he was extremely skinny IMO from the picture. Obviously, you didnt have him long enough to contribute to his death, I think that he probably came from the Pet store with parasites or some disease. That is why everytime I go into a pet store, I always look at the leos... Make my complaints because THEY ARE NEVER TAKEN CARE OF PROPERLY (In the big chain pet stores around here anyways). Then, usually me and my boyfriend discuss "saving" them and all... But you cant save them all and unfortunately by trying to purchase the leos and help them, I think I would just be encouraging the stores to continue. Not only that, but I am apprehensive about bringing some contagious diseases or parasites...
On a side note, I have known some good experiences with leo purchases to come from pet stores. The first three leos that my boyfriend purchased came from pet stores, before he knew any better and they are thriving.
So, sorry for rant and I am very sorry to hear about your little leo passing away. You did a great thing trying to save it and take care of it properly. Let us know if you get any more! Good luck. =]

 

[jschaf1]

I definitly wouldn't knock all pet stores. I bought my two Leos from ******** and they are both doing fine. I've had one for at least 9 months and the other for almost 5 months and both are happy and healthy. Be sure to inspect the leos carefully before purchasing. Check their tales and try and get one that already has some fat on it if possible. Also stay away from pet shops that keep their geckos on sand/dirt substrates and feed their geckos only worms. ******** does it right. They keep their leos ONLY on reptile carpet and feed them gut loaded/calcium dusted crickets! :main_thumbsup:

***** is an example of a terrible pet shop. I feel so sorry for their leos. They keep theirs on calcium sand, feed them only worms and you can tell the poor things aren't healthy. Last time I was there it was a terrible sight. All the geckos were so boney and scrawny looking and their tails were all shrivelled up. It was horrible. I felt like bitching out the nearest sales person I could find but i knew at the end of the day they just wouldn't give a crap.:main_angry: