Spike's not eating :(

[SpikeTheGecko]

Spike hasn't been eating in over 3 weeks Not done a poo for last week. His last shed was just over a week ago and he ate it and passed a big poo.

Not even a tasty wax worm could persuade him to eat.

He stays on repti carpet - has 3 hides - one warm, one moist and one cool.

Have tried everything to try and get him to eat - different/new foods, warm baths, belly rubs and even the baby food mixture. Still nothing.

So today he has been to the vet - she is pleased with how active he still is, plenty of fat on his tail nothing appearence wise wrong with him. She done some xrays, looks like he may have a small blockage (not sure what from as he is on repti carpet and no loose substraight) So he has been given some liquid paraffin to see if that helps move whatever he may of swallowed. He has been given some different calcium as hes not been getting as much as what he should be these last 3 weeks due to not taking an intreast in food.
To go back on Thursday for another xray to see if the blockage has moved etc..

Has anybody had anything simular happen?

 

[DrCarrotTail]

Do you have a picture of him? If he's a healthy or fat adult leo 3 weeks is not long for a fast. During the breeding season many of my animals go off food for months. I just weigh them every other week or so to make sure they are maintaining their weight and only start to worry if they lose more than 10-20% of their body weight (depending on how fat they were to begin with). If your gecko is over weight he may be able to go 2-3 months before needing to eat.

 

[SpikeTheGecko]

This was taken last night. He is coming up to a year old - I've had him since August last year, only Leo I own. Other than this haven't been concerned about his health.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

He looks fat and healthy. I don't think I would be concerned enough to have multiple x-rays done and whatnot unless he's losing a lot of weight or losing weight rapidly. These guys are survival machines. They can go months without eating although more than 6-8 weeks would start to worry me. I feed my adult males once a week, some eat everything I give them and are fat, some never seem to eat but maintain their weight just fine. I let them do what they feel is necessary for them and try not to worry. Of course, if it makes you feel better/safer/whatever and helps you sleep at night going to the vet is NEVER a bad idea.

 

[SpikeTheGecko]

Thanks for your help - I'm to take him back to the vets on Thursday for a check up and to see if the liquid paraffin helped him to do the toilet or shift what seemed to be a blockage on the xray - He does look a bit bloated where the xray showed something up. So shall see how that goes and shall post an update.

 

[SpikeTheGecko]

The liquid paraffin must of worked its magic as sometime through the night Spike passed a BIG poo!! No wonder the poor guy looked like he had a blockage on the xray with what came out of him.. Vets very pleased he has done a poo just to go for his check up next week instead of tomorrow, got to make sure he is able to pass normal poos and I am hoping he is going to eat a little something in the next day or so . Looks less bloated also .

 

[DrCarrotTail]

So glad to hear he's better and isn't blocked up! If I were you I'd triple and quadruple check he has a 90 degree warm spot and maybe give him a soak every week or two in 90-95 degree water for 10 minutes or so. That's usually my magic treatment when my geckos look bloated Hope he checks out 100% at the vet! Good job getting him in right away!!

 

[SpikeTheGecko]

Just checked his temp its currently at 89 in his warm spot (Use a heat mat). I will do as you suggested with the warm baths . Looks like Spike is also having another shed (Not the greatest of pics), would say its been 9 days since his shed.

 

[SpikeTheGecko]

Spike shed last night and ate it, tonight i gave him a warm bath and a little while later there was a poo in his cage - so hopefully thats him really getting back to normal poo wise.

 

[SpikeTheGecko]

Tried Spike with a few crickets yesterday and he wasn't intrested at all so brought Spike some locusts to try as he had never had these before - first one that went in he was after like a shot!! He ate 5 so put 2 crickets in also and he ate them So Spike had a really good feed. Really pleased Hoping to see a poo in his cage in the next day or so can say he's back to normal. Was good to see the hunter back

 

[DrCarrotTail]

Glad to hear it!