PLEASE HELP!! Odd eating/drinking situation

[hds1492]

For the last 3 weeks or so, my leo has been refusing most food (will not touch mealworms, will take waxworms occasionally). I have been feeding him Carnivore Care during this time. He just shed yesterday, and with the exception of one hind foot, he shed completely and ate it all. I normally don't see him drink, but I have watched him drinking continuously from his bowl for the last 25 minutes. He wont stop. Are these occurrences put together a cause for concern?

 

[hds1492]

About your leo:
- Sex: Male
- Age & Weight: ~1 year, 64 grams as of today
- How long have you owned your leo: Almost a year
- 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 once a day
- Is your leo acting any different today? If so how does he/she normally act which differs from now? He has been acting normally
- Has he/she had any problems in the past, if so please describe. Had parasites, which were taken care of, and was treated with antibiotics a few months ago for a possible respiratory infection
B) Fecals
- Describe (look any different than normal) Look normal
- When was the last time he/she went? Today
C) Problem
- Please briefly describe the problem and how long it has been going on. See first post
Housing:
A) Enclosure
- Size: 20 g Long
- Type (ex. glass tank) Glass tank
- Type of substrate: Paper towels
- Hides, how many, what kind: 3-warm, cool, moist
B) Heating
- Heat source: UTH
- Cage temps (hot side, cool side): Hot-93* Cool: 70*
- Method of regulating heat source: Thermostat
- What are you using to measure your temps: Heat gun
- Do you have any lights (describe): Just the overhead light in my room
C) Cage mates
- How many (males, females): None
- Describe health, or previous problems

Describe Diet:
A) Typical diet: Mealworms, waxworms, crickets
- What you're feeding (how often, how much): I leave a bowl of mealworms in his tank at all times. He eats when he's hungry. I haven't had a problem with him overeating.
- How are you feeding (hand fed, left in dish, ect): Dish
B) Supplements (describe how often): Reptivite w/ D3 twice a week
- What vitamin/minerals are you using (list brands)
- What are you gut loading food with-oatmeal, carrots

 

[indyana]

I don't see too much cause for concern based upon your description. I wonder why you are feeding Carnivore Care though? He doesn't sound underweight, and reptiles typically go through periods of not eating.

I would just offer the normal mealworms/crickets (skip the fatty stuff like waxworms and Carnivore Care unless there is another reason you are feeding them). See how it goes. If he starts showing symptoms like dropping a lot of weight, abnormal feces, or lethargy, there would be more cause for concern.

 

[hds1492]

Thanks so much for your response! The reason I was feeding him the Carnivore Care was because he lost about 10 g in a short period of time (maybe 2ish weeks), and he wasn't eating. I figured getting something into him was better than nothing at all. But I will discontinue it and keep offering the mealworms!

 

[Ryder5406]

Sure he is a boy

 

[brendan0923]

Yeah, I'd say keep offering the mealworms. My geckos do the same thing: They'll go through a period of a couple weeks where they will eat minimally. Keep an eye on him and keep offering the mealworms.

 

[hds1492]

I've been offering him mealworms, and he still isn't eating. He has also been having some watery poops, including this one which he did on my bed:

Is a vet visit in order?


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[jaredricha]

At that point id take him to the vet.

 

[Neon Aurora]

I agree, going to the vet would be best. He could have parasites.

 

[hds1492]

Thanks guys! I took him to the vet. She said he looked good, but wanted a poop sample before doing anything else. Hoping to get one to her in the next few days!

 

[brendan0923]

Thanks guys! I took him to the vet. She said he looked good, but wanted a poop sample before doing anything else. Hoping to get one to her in the next few days!

Yeah, that's a good idea. In the meantime, keep taking good care of him. Good luck! Keep us posted.

 

[hds1492]

UPDATE: He has been having diarrhea a lot-some of it looks like straight water (he had a "poop" like that on my computer, and then again a few minutes later on my bed one night). Other times, it's gel-like with what looks like really yellow urates (will post photos). I got a really abnormal looking poop sample to the vet, and she tested it and it came back negative for parasites. He still isn't eating, and is still losing weight (he hasn't eaten since I started this thread, and he was eating rarely before that). He has lost about 10-12 grams in a month and a half, probably closer to two months. He started at between 72 and 74 grams, now he's between 61 and 62 grams. The vet is really concerned, and told me to take him to either Tufts or Angell Memorial, where he will get more specialized care. We have an appointment set for this coming Monday at Tufts. I have all of his records handy. Should I bring a poop sample? I'm not sure how he's still pooping, but he is...

 

[hds1492]

Blurry poop on plastic wrap was the one I took to the vet. The other one came a few days later.


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[brendan0923]

That's interesting that they came back negative...I would definitley bring a sample though. Not eating and losing weight is never a good thing, but hopefully it can be treated!

 

[ppoulto]

Hi there. Any updates?
How is your Leo doing?

 

[hds1492]

Hi guys! Bad news-the vet said it is crypto until proven otherwise :cry: She took a cloacal swab for a PCR test, and a poop sample (he pooped after she took the swab) for an acid fast stain test. Results should be back in a few days for the acid fast stain, and in about 2 weeks for the PCR. I am so upset

 

[stager]

Sorry to hear that had he come in contact with another gecko

 

[hds1492]

No, but I got him from a large chain store "where the pets go." Apparently sick animals are par for the course with them. I am so mad. If it is indeed crypto, I will buy a new enclosure from them and nothing else. They don't deserve anyone's money, especially not mine.


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[brendan0923]

No, but I got him from a large chain store "where the pets go." Apparently sick animals are par for the course with them. I am so mad. If it is indeed crypto, I will buy a new enclosure from them and nothing else. They don't deserve anyone's money, especially not mine.


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Yeah, my first gecko (who was from a similar chain pet store) had crypto...unfortunatley had similar symptoms...hopefully it isn't crypto though. I typically don't buy animals from those stores anyway, just supplies. Please keep us updated.

 

[hds1492]

I will! I'll post an update as soon as I get the Acid Fast Stain results back. Hopefully those will be in in the next day or so.


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