Not wanting to eat

[endrien]

- Sex - Female
- Age & Weight - 9 or 10 months 63g
- How long have you owned your leo - Since may 9th 2011
- Where was he/she obtained (ex. Pet store, breeder, wild caught, friend) - Pet store

A) Health/History
- How often do you handle your leo - Usually 3+ times a week
- Is your leo acting any different today? If so how does he/she normally act which differs from now. -No different activity really
- Has he/she had any problems in the past, if so please describe. - No problems
B) Fecals
- Describe (look any different than normal) - Normal brown+white
- When was the last time he/she went - a few days ago
C) Problem
- Please briefly describe the problem and how long it has been going on
For a week- 1 week and half my female has not wanted to eat, she was previously eating 2 super's a day, then down to 1 and now none. I feel that she is probably just evening out her weight or possibly ovulating, but I don't see any eggs. She was 64g, is now 63g after not eating.
Housing:
A) Enclosure
- Size - 10g
- Type (ex. glass tank) - glass
- Type of substrate - Non adhesive shelf liner
- Hides, how many, what kind - 3, 1 hot 1 cold 1 humid
B) Heating
- Heat source - UTH
- Cage temps (hot side, cool side) - Hot(95f) Cold(78f)
- Method of regulating heat source - Thermometer and tile
- What are you using to measure your temps, two digital thermometers
- Do you have any lights (describe) - Overhead incandescent during day
C) Cage mates
None

Describe Diet:
A) Typical diet
- What you're feeding (how often, how much) - Superworms, daily, 1
- How are you feeding (hand fed, left in dish, ect) Both hand and dish
B) Supplements (describe how often)
- What vitamin/minerals are you using (list brands) was using daily calcium+d3 and vitamin 2x a week. Am going to use less calcium after finding more info on it
- What are you gut loading food with - Superworms eat oats and vegetables(Brocoli,carrots, apples etc)

 

[gecko4245]

it could be many reasons but read this.

http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=81792

yea cut back on the D3 for sure. maybe try another insect.

 

[grboxa]

^+1. try another feeder and see what happens. you only feed superworms?...they can be hard on the stomach to digest...variety is best since superworms are high in fat...its a good sign that poo is normal. she could just be ditching the superworms.

 

[endrien]

^+1. try another feeder and see what happens. you only feed superworms?...they can be hard on the stomach to digest...variety is best since superworms are high in fat...its a good sign that poo is normal. she could just be ditching the superworms.

Superworms are not very difficult to digest, mealworms are. She has not had mealworms in probably 2 months or so. I will be picking some up soon however and can try some.
I highly doubt parasites of some kind, as my bearded dragon is clean(though bearded dragons carry a different form of coccidia which I am fairly certain can't be crossed). Crypto would have surfaced sooner than this if she had it in her, as I have had her for 6 months and she was 3-4 months when I got her.
The only main thing I can think of is that she is getting used to her substrate change(A little over a week ago?) or she is just slowing down from eating like a pig.

She did regurgitate a portion of her shed a few days ago when she shed, but this doesn't concern me much as it was not all of her shed, just a little so she was probably full.

 

[gecko4245]

Superworms are not very difficult to digest, mealworms are. She has not had mealworms in probably 2 months or so. I will be picking some up soon however and can try some.
I highly doubt parasites of some kind, as my bearded dragon is clean(though bearded dragons carry a different form of coccidia which I am fairly certain can't be crossed). Crypto would have surfaced sooner than this if she had it in her, as I have had her for 6 months and she was 3-4 months when I got her.
The only main thing I can think of is that she is getting used to her substrate change(A little over a week ago?) or she is just slowing down from eating like a pig.

She did regurgitate a portion of her shed a few days ago when she shed, but this doesn't concern me much as it was not all of her shed, just a little so she was probably full.

one of my leos got constipated with superworms a while back. They can also bite there mouths. is she pooping a good amount?
could she maybe be dehydrated? make sure her body is warm too not just the stomache because I am surprised she only eats one worm a day.

 

[grboxa]

You should try picking up silkworms or crickets over mealworms....were you only feeding her superworms? Should she pick up on superworms again really try and diversify if you werent...superworms arent the most nutritious in compared to other feeder insects and should be fed in moderation because of there fat content. change the feeder and wait for a stool if it happens and see. if she continues going to a vet cant hurt...they slow down this time of year aswell but you probably know that already.

 

[grboxa]

one of my leos got constipated with superworms a while back. They can also bite there mouths. is she pooping a good amount?

i read that aswell alot online..superworms arent that easy on the stomach especially if there fed everyday regardless if theres less chitin...really not a good idea.

 

[gecko4245]

You should try picking up silkworms or crickets over mealworms....were you only feeding her superworms? Should she pick up on superworms again really try and diversify if you werent...superworms arent the most nutritious in compared to other feeder insects and should be fed in moderation because of there fat content. change the feeder and wait for a stool if it happens and see. if she continues going to a vet cant hurt...they slow down this time of year aswell but you probably know that already.

How many insects can your girl eat? mine always ate at least 2 worms a day. don't you think she eats a little?

 

[gecko4245]

oh, never mind she was eating 2 then she started eating only one.

 

[endrien]

one of my leos got constipated with superworms a while back. They can also bite there mouths. is she pooping a good amount?
could she maybe be dehydrated? make sure her body is warm too not just the stomache because I am surprised she only eats one worm a day.

1 super a day is perfectly normal, she is above weight for her age as far as I am aware.

You should try picking up silkworms or crickets over mealworms....were you only feeding her superworms? Should she pick up on superworms again really try and diversify if you werent...superworms arent the most nutritious in compared to other feeder insects and should be fed in moderation because of there fat content. change the feeder and wait for a stool if it happens and see. if she continues going to a vet cant hurt...they slow down this time of year aswell but you probably know that already.

Silkworms and crickets are not very viable here, It would cost way too much to get them here. Superworms are higher in fat yes, but they are fine as a staple. Many use mealworms as a staple and superworms are essentially the equivalent of multiple meal worms. They just have a higher meat to chitin ratio.

 

[gecko4245]

She is a good weight but it's not very healthy to only feed one insect. imagine you eating the same thing everyday every insect has different nutrition too. and if you compare it to other insects it's fattening and the nutrition is not to great.

 

[grboxa]

can you really not get any crickets from your petshops? thats odd..they only sell superworms and mealworms?...what about phoenix worms?. You really should try your hardest to put some change in there...what about ordering phoenix worms online once a month to atleast add something new in...phoenix worms are the most balanced feeder if im correct....i use silkworms as a straight staple but even thats not good due to its high protein content, i have to make a switch myself and add something else in there most likely phoenix worms. $8-10 for 150 small-large.

 

[endrien]

can you really not get any crickets from your petshops? thats odd..they only sell superworms and mealworms?...what about phoenix worms?. You really should try your hardest to put some change in there...what about ordering phoenix worms online once a month to atleast add something new in...phoenix worms are the most balanced feeder if im correct....i use silkworms as a straight staple but even thats not good due to its high protein content, i have to make a switch myself and add something else in there most likely phoenix worms. $8-10 for 150 small-large.

I can get crickets, they are just expensive as all hell. You live in the states, shipping is cheap and fast. If I want phoenix worms I would need to overnight them or they would be dead.

 

[grboxa]

I can get crickets, they are just expensive as all hell. You live in the states, shipping is cheap and fast. If I want phoenix worms I would need to overnight them or they would be dead.

i live in canada actually, where are you located?, unless your in extremely hot weather or colder then us down here genuine phoenix worms that are in the special media should be fine..im ordering mine from a distributor for recorp stationed in ontario...and expensive crickets:-/...i thought 10 cents was robbery

 

[endrien]

i live in canada actually, where are you located?, unless your in extremely hot weather or colder then us down here genuine phoenix worms that are in the special media they should be fine..im ordering mine from a distributor for recorp stationed in ontario.

I am in newfoundland.

 

[satyr666]

Try http://www.canadianfeeders.com/ I don't use them because I have a local shop I buy from but there is feeder options even in canada. Actually nvm there out of business now apparently, but there is others like http://www.bugorder.com/ . Just try google.

 

[grboxa]

it is possible, its just if you want to spend the money or not. If you really honestly plan on feeding her superworms for her entire life span thats really not a good idea and I hope someone else agrees with me. Your best bet is to save up, and just get a supply of phoenix worms every so month ....if you get large your gecko shouldn't have a problem seeing them. I have a bell and she reacted to the mediums...im planning on getting silkworm eggs 1000 for like 10 dollars..why dont you try the same along with the phoenix worms and give a crack at raising some silkworms..you can refrigerate the rest of the eggs you dont want to use Its not that complicated if you have a decent setup and is good for your gecko. Put aside every week mabye $? Just trying to give my two cents, I know its frustrating when you cant get something locally.

 

[reps4life]

- Sex - Female
- Age & Weight - 9 or 10 months 63g
- How long have you owned your leo - Since may 9th 2011
- Where was he/she obtained (ex. Pet store, breeder, wild caught, friend) - Pet store

A) Health/History
- How often do you handle your leo - Usually 3+ times a week
- Is your leo acting any different today? If so how does he/she normally act which differs from now. -No different activity really
- Has he/she had any problems in the past, if so please describe. - No problems
B) Fecals
- Describe (look any different than normal) - Normal brown+white
- When was the last time he/she went - a few days ago
C) Problem
- Please briefly describe the problem and how long it has been going on
For a week- 1 week and half my female has not wanted to eat, she was previously eating 2 super's a day, then down to 1 and now none. I feel that she is probably just evening out her weight or possibly ovulating, but I don't see any eggs. She was 64g, is now 63g after not eating.
Housing:
A) Enclosure
- Size - 10g
- Type (ex. glass tank) - glass
- Type of substrate - Non adhesive shelf liner
- Hides, how many, what kind - 3, 1 hot 1 cold 1 humid
B) Heating
- Heat source - UTH
- Cage temps (hot side, cool side) - Hot(95f) Cold(78f)
- Method of regulating heat source - Thermometer and tile
- What are you using to measure your temps, two digital thermometers
- Do you have any lights (describe) - Overhead incandescent during day
C) Cage mates
None

Describe Diet:
A) Typical diet
- What you're feeding (how often, how much) - Superworms, daily, 1
- How are you feeding (hand fed, left in dish, ect) Both hand and dish
B) Supplements (describe how often)
- What vitamin/minerals are you using (list brands) was using daily calcium+d3 and vitamin 2x a week. Am going to use less calcium after finding more info on it
- What are you gut loading food with - Superworms eat oats and vegetables(Brocoli,carrots, apples etc)

You mentioned an overhead bulb, are you measuring the air temps? If it's too high or too dry it can cause dehydration.
You were also using the calcium with D3 daily, it's too much. Once a week is enough if you are properly gutloading the food. Use plain calcium for the rest of the feeding days.
It's never a good idea to feed only one insect, especially superworms that are high in fat.
So definately try other feeders and rotate food item so that you can reduce the vitamin supplement to once a week only.

She could just be slowing down due to the time of year.

 

[endrien]

You mentioned an overhead bulb, are you measuring the air temps? If it's too high or too dry it can cause dehydration.
You were also using the calcium with D3 daily, it's too much. Once a week is enough if you are properly gutloading the food. Use plain calcium for the rest of the feeding days.
It's never a good idea to feed only one insect, especially superworms that are high in fat.
So definately try other feeders and rotate food item so that you can reduce the vitamin supplement to once a week only.

She could just be slowing down due to the time of year.

The ambient temp is 75f without the bulb on(granted this is in the morning so it could be a little colder than usual). The humidity is 60% with no light on.

 

[reps4life]

The ambient temp is 75f without the bulb on(granted this is in the morning so it could be a little colder than usual). The humidity is 60% with no light on.

You do need the overhead bulb afterall. Don't allow the air temp to go under 75f at night as well, it can be a problem.