Please help- Leopard Gecko labored breathing

[weensworld]

I returned from a vacation very late at night to find that my husband had neglected to properly take care of my leopard gecko. I had to take her to urgent care the next day and they gave me instructions for nursing her back to health.

I gave her a her second rounds of meds and her food today and she fought and struggled the entire time. I was afraid I had gotten food in her nose so I wiped it with a damp paper towel.

Now she is breathing very strangely. She kind of gulps for air and then constricts her neck all the way in tightly.

I am panicking because I don't know what is going on. Could she have aspirated the meds or food or could she be exceptionally stressed?

 

[acpart]

She's probably just stressed. Here's how I administer meds which seems to be less stressful: I sit back on a chair or couch and put the gecko on my chest. I cover it's both gently with one hand and drop the food/meds on the nose. This way, the gecko can be controlled but isn't struggling and freaking out about being restrained. Good luck with it.

Aliza

 

[weensworld]

She's probably just stressed. Here's how I administer meds which seems to be less stressful: I sit back on a chair or couch and put the gecko on my chest. I cover it's both gently with one hand and drop the food/meds on the nose. This way, the gecko can be controlled but isn't struggling and freaking out about being restrained. Good luck with it.

Aliza

Thank you! I have started securing her by wrapping her in a warm, moist washcloth and dripping the meds on her nose like you said. SO much less stress and she is on the mend! Whew!