Our new baby

[leo737]

We just picked up our first leo this week. The little guy is great, but we are concerned about the size. I did a lot of research on how to care for a leopard gecko but evidently didn't read much about healthy sizes.

I trusted the store we got it from as it was a reptile specialty shop but am wondering if I should have. They said it was 6 months old and that it's cage mate was bigger because it was probably hogging the food. I've been looking at a lot pictures and this is pretty much the skinniest leo I have come across. Could it really be 6 months old? Will it fatten up? How should we go about fattening it up?

Also they told me it was a striped leo, but I'm thinking it is a mack snow. What do you guys think?

Thanks!

 

[RocksMama77]

I got mine from a chain store and he looked about that size if not smaller. He was very skinny. I got him home and set him up in a good enclosure. he is now doubled his size and his little tail is very fat. Chances are they weren't feeding him enough. They do it to keep costs down.

 

[vctkiller]

That looks like a really skinny gecko though. I'm sure it's not 6 months old, it still got a lot of its stripes. Can you get an overview picture of it?

 

[leo737]

Thanks for the replies. I will get a picture from above later tonight.

 

[CSMGecko]

There is no way he is 6 months old. I got my first Leo from ***** and they were really small like that. You can check out my full story on my website under the about us tab. Just keep an eye on her and make sure she is eating properly.

 

[leo737]

Here is the overhead shot. Not the best, but should get the point across.

 

[KnECritters]

Wow, poor baby! VERY skinny! I'm sure he/she will be in better hands now, and good luck fattening that little one up!

 

[THE WHISPERER]

I trusted the store we got it from as it was a reptile specialty shop but am wondering if I should have. They said it was 6 months old and that it's cage mate was bigger because it was probably hogging the food. I've been looking at a lot pictures and this is pretty much the skinniest leo I have come across. Could it really be 6 months old? Will it fatten up? How should we go about fattening it up?

The store you got it fom is no specalty shop, there knowlage of care is horrable. it is very possable that it is 6 months old. thats not a skinny tail from it being a hatchling, its a skinny tail from it either being bullied for food or it's sick. If its skinny from lack of food, there is a chance of it fattening up, keep a close eye on it and make sure its eatting. If it doesn't eat for you I would suggest a vet visit. Has it eaten for you yet and how much?

 

[Daidra]

Looks like heor she may have an illnesses like parasites and if he or she uses the bathroom then I would take to the vet and have it checked for parasites.I hope he or she lives good luck.

 

[hybrid]

Looks ill to me. I had 2 like that i got from a rescue but they didnt make it. I hope its not too late for yours. Actually mine were a lil worse than that, so it might not be. Sorry not tryin to discourage you just telling from experience.

 

[leo737]

The store you got it fom is no specalty shop, there knowlage of care is horrable. it is very possable that it is 6 months old. thats not a skinny tail from it being a hatchling, its a skinny tail from it either being bullied for food or it's sick. If its skinny from lack of food, there is a chance of it fattening up, keep a close eye on it and make sure its eatting. If it doesn't eat for you I would suggest a vet visit. Has it eaten for you yet and how much?

It's very possible it was being bullied for food as it was caged up with a bit larger gecko. I sure hope that was the case. We got it monday night and it has eaten a bit each night since. In four nights it's eaten 3 mealworms, 3-4 crickets and 3 waxworms.

 

[Lady_Kiya]

That gecko is not looking too healthy. I would get a fecal exam into the vet if you can to rule out parasites. From there, of course all that is left to do is fatten the little thing up. ^^ Good luck! I am rooting for her/him!

 

[Lady_Kiya]

It's very possible it was being bullied for food as it was caged up with a bit larger gecko. I sure hope that was the case. We got it monday night and it has eaten a bit each night since. In four nights it's eaten 3 mealworms, 3-4 crickets and 3 waxworms.

The appetite seems to be there would wait for it to deficate. From there if it looks runny I would take some feces to a vet to get a fecal exam done. If that turns up with nothing than he/she should start to gain weight.

 

[leo737]

The appetite seems to be there would wait for it to deficate. From there if it looks runny I would take some feces to a vet to get a fecal exam done. If that turns up with nothing than he/she should start to gain weight.

It's gone to bathroom pretty much once a night since we got it. Nothing too runny. Just a little white with a little bigger brown part. Pretty small.

Anyone know approximately what it costs to have a vet take a look at the poo?

 

[ajveachster]

Depends on the vet. $45 around my area. My suggestion would also be to get a scale. That way you can see if your new baby is gaining weight since the appetite is there. Good luck!

 

[loulovespat]

6months!!!

We just picked up our first leo this week. The little guy is great, but we are concerned about the size. I did a lot of research on how to care for a leopard gecko but evidently didn't read much about healthy sizes.

I trusted the store we got it from as it was a reptile specialty shop but am wondering if I should have. They said it was 6 months old and that it's cage mate was bigger because it was probably hogging the food. I've been looking at a lot pictures and this is pretty much the skinniest leo I have come across. Could it really be 6 months old? Will it fatten up? How should we go about fattening it up?

Also they told me it was a striped leo, but I'm thinking it is a mack snow. What do you guys think?

Thanks!

It cant be 6months old, my gecko is only 5monthes old and twice the size. Its tail is so skinny, you should go back from where you got the gecko from and ask for there advice and see if they have noticed any problems with the gecko since they had it .

 

[JohnxII]

Could be half year old judging by patterns. I would use 40-50W infra-red lamp to maintain a warm side at about 85-90'F, and use supplements to keep up its appetite.

From your description the facal matter doesn't sound too bad, feed a little each day see what happens in a week or 2. I've rescued a couple even more skinnier than yours, so don't give up! Good luck!