I am really worried !

[Lennysmum]

I know there are lots of threads on here about Geckos not eating and i am afraid this is another one. We have had our Gecko since xmas and he semms to eat very little if anything at all ! He never eats the crickets and the locusts are too big . I thought he had eaten some mealworms but i keep finding them in the vivarium . What am i doing wrong i am so worried about him ? He has lots of water and drinks well , the temperature is good . He is so tiny i am getting very scared for him now !

 

[lazzara8478]

have you tryed feeding him the worms with feeding tongs?? I have my older Leo and from day one had demanded I hand feed her, otherwise she wont eat. Also I would get a digital scale to monitor weights.. they are VERY valuble to have.

 

[Ipsl]

Some times Geckos take months to properly adjust to a new home. Give him a little time, if he looses more than 10-20% of his body weight I would start worrying than.

 

[Mel&Keith]

Since Christmas was only 3 weeks ago, he may still be adjusting to his new home. Typically the older the gecko is the longer it takes them to adjust. Also, make sure not to leave crickets in his tank, they can cause a lot of stress. Can you post a picture of him?

 

[Lennysmum]

Thanks guys i will try and post a picture later . I didn't know crickets would stress him but he hasn't had one for a while just the worms but i put one in today to try again i will remove it if he hasn't gone. As he is so tiny how would i handle him to feed him myself if that is neccesary ?

 

[Mel&Keith]

It's fine to leave the cricket long enough to give him a chance to eat it (maybe 30min in the evening) but it can become stressful if crickets are running all over him for extended periods. Try leaving a low dish with a couple of small mealworms and calcium in it. He should eat when he feels ready. Also make sure his enclosure is somewhere quiet and out of direct sunlight.

 

[Lennysmum]

I got a shllowish dish for the mealworms and they get out and underneath it ! So i may swap his water and food bowl but he is so small it would be an effort for him to get in the bigger bowl ! But he manages for water . I suppose at least that way i can monitor it better ?

 

[Lennysmum]

Sorry i realise i sound daft but i am just worried for him !

 

[Ccrashca069]

maybe put a slice of carrot in the tank for the crickets to eat also.

 

[Ipsl]

No worries its really good that you care so much for him. dont be ashamed of pride

 

[Lennysmum]

He still isnt eating i have put the worms right up to his mouth but nothing. The breeders were supposed to contact me but haven't ! I am at a loss as to what to do for the best ! I don't want to over handle him to feed him and stress him more but i don't want him to starve ! Should i chop the worms and squeeze the guts then put them up to his mouth ? I am sorry if these are silly questions i just want to do what is best for him.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Can you please tell us how he is housed and what the temperatures are in his enclosure?

 

[GeckoGathering]

Not Eating, Things I could do?

(You didn't say, but)Temp. is very important on eating to be Hot Side around 90 ......Your comment of, " Should i chop the worms and squeeze the guts then put them up to his mouth ?"..A Yes.....I squeeze the inners out of a few meal worms and apply some to the mouth. Normally licking will take place. As the licking starts.....get in the rhythm of the tongue and place more in his mouth. Take care.

 

[Lennysmum]

Hi thanks for the replies . He is in a glass starter vivarium , he has a heatpad under 3/4 of the vivarium so a cooler spot at the end where his food is . The temp is around 86 degs and the room is warm. He is drinking as his water is going down at night and there is some sand left behind in it . My son has seen him in the water . I have contacted the place where he came from and they say someone will call me but so far nothing ! I am really cross as if this were a dog people would go mad at how they are ignoring it ! I will try the Worms and gut squeezing tonight .

 

[PaulSage]

What are you using to check the enclosure temperature? I personally think 86 degrees is too low; lower temperatures can decrease appetite. 90 - 92 degrees would be better.

What is a "glass starter vivarium"? Can he find the food in there? Are the crickets just hiding where he can't find them? Has he defecated since you acquired him? Is his abdomen swollen or protruding?

 

[Lennysmum]

No his abdomen isn't protruding . I spoke with the people we got him from yesterday and he suggested a hide at the cool end as well as the warm end . As he is coming out and is taking water he seemed to think that he was happy enough . He also said to humidify the vivarium more but did think the temp was fine. He said if i have to squeeze the guts of the mealworms then he would be poorly ?????? We are keeping to a realy really strict routine now . During the day he is left very quietly and has his food removed and a cool hide put in . He is then having his food put in at night and the room in complete darkness. The starter vivarium comes as part of a kit from T REX it is a small glass tank with a heatpad . The substrate is sand and he has a bark hide and some moist moss. I have raised the tank slightly so the heat isn't absorbed into the wood it would otherwise be sitting on. There is a barometer in the tank and i will be getting a room thermometer tommorrow to check that better also . Sorry i don't know if that is too much info or the wrong info we are new at this but are trying to cover all our bases. I am really fond of the little guy now i am running in in the morning to see how he is doing !

 

[paulnj]

first you need to get rid of the sand as it is not completely safe and runs the risk of impaction from ingesting it while feeding. I use tile, newspaper or papertowels myself.

Second you need to get a floor temp on the warm side with a digital thermometer with a temp probe

Everyone has a petsmart
http://www.petsmart.com/product/ind...er&kwCatId=2767037&parentPage=search&keepsr=1

Leopard geckos need belly heat to properly digest food. With too little warmth on the floor they will go off food. Though the suggested temp range of substrate temp is 88-92, I run my racks in the 90-93 range.

 

[Lennysmum]

I am in the UK but will find a thermometer today thanks . The sand is a special sand with calcium in , the expert that i spoke to said it would be fine but i will change it anyway.

 

[paulnj]

Calcium sand is the worst sand...

 

[Lennysmum]

I have just got sme smaler crickets , he wont be hand fed the worms or crickets i have . I will try again with these now.