Wierd behavior

[sunshinegeckos]

I have a Tang Enigma that since I got it a month ago has eaten maybe 5 worms total but has acted completely normal otherwise until today. She has been to the vet and all tests have come up normal. Today I went to replenish her food (even though she doesnt eat I give her new food every day) and she attacked my hand. I haven't been handling her very much because of wanting her to settle in and her refusing to eat but when I have she has been really docile until today. She attacked me twice. Any ideas on what could be wrong? She is not ovulating from what I can tell. Her heat is good (hot side 93 cold side 83) she has been drinking water and licking at her calcium dish. I am just stumped.

 

[acpart]

The only thing I can think of is that my enigma is really clumsy when she tries to strike at food. Could your enigma be hungry and missing the mark, getting you instead?

Aliza

 

[sunshinegeckos]

I don't think so because I thought that too so I put some worms right in front of her and she didn't even try for it. She doesn't even seem interested in food.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Try a super with tongs, it will show if she has striking issues.

 

[BrightReptiles]

I agree, I have one female that can't strike and will only eat if you follow her mouth with the worm for a minute, repeatedly sticking it by her snout.

 

[lillith]

+1 for try tongs.

She's probably really hungry and desperately trying to get food?

If she can't aim, don't blame her for the bites. Try holding her securely in one hand and bringing the feeder in to her sideways with the other hand, letting it put light pressure on her lips... if she grabs it and looks relieved, you did good (it may look like an awkward/scary sideways snap).

The trick is handling her securely and with confidence. I confess, I sometimes sweet-talk them while I do it, which is ludicrous, objectively (hey sweetie - see the nice crunchy, gooey wormie? om nom nom who wants a wormie? yes you do...taaaaake the wormie...good girl~!). My kids used to look at me weird, but they're used to it by now.

I've had to do this with a goobery enigma or two as well...and they don't always get better...sometimes they get worse to the point of it being very difficult...there are times when I felt like I was arguing with them about their will to live. I have lost that argument with enigmas before.

Sometimes you can habituate them to taking them easily from fingers, then you can work on feeding them in their tubs, and then sometimes to their dish. I kind of figure if it can't feed itself, that's a problem; I do everything I can to get my goobers self-sufficient.

I really hope you succeed with your kiddo. Just keep trying!
Wear a glove to pick her up if you have to, but *don't flinch*!

 

[sunshinegeckos]

Thanks everyone I will try your suggestions.

 

[sunshinegeckos]

I tried tong feeding she didnt even try for it. I tried rubbing it on her lips and i tried squeezing the guts out and rubbing that over her lips. Nothing. She acts like she doesnt even care for food. I have tried every feeder i can get. I am taking her back to the vet and we will probably have to tube feed her. Has anyone had to tube feed a gecko and did they eventually eat on their own?

 

[Adinar]

What kind of tests were run exactally? And where was the animal bought? If it was a breeder I would try contacting them and let them know you are having issues.

I also have an enigma (happens to be a tang!) and I notice with her her aim is pretty poor. I tong feed her so she doesn't sit there forever trying to get the food and keep missing. But if your girl isn't showing any interest at all, I'm not sure.

 

[sunshinegeckos]

They ran tests for parasites and did an exam to see if anything was physically wrong (impaction, constipated etc) they also gave her a dose of Panacur to deworm her if she had any worms . I just talked to the vet and I am taking her in to tube feed her. I have been in contact with the breeder through the whole thing and he has been great about giving me advice and everything. I am just at a loss as to what is wrong. Her only "symptoms" is a total lack of interest in food and weight loss (she has gone from 46g to 38g) otherwise she acts normal.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

My pet only enigma has been off and on food all during breeding season. Acting all kinds of strange. It was so bad at times, didn't know if she was going to pull thru. But I also knew she wasn't sick. Just stressed with ovulation and didn't know what to do with herself. A wk or two off food, eat a worm, off food for a spell again, eat like a pig for a few days, off food........ My daughter was going to adopt her but I was afraid they'd freak out with all the stranger than usual behavior and have a difficult time of it, so the little fruitcake has to stay with me. If your female enigma is otherwise healthy but just not eating regular, try not to worry so much and fuss around with her. Wait it out. A little weight loss isn't going to hurt a healthy gecko if they go off food.

Christina, I'll bring my goofy Lena to the FIRE show if I can, so you can see the extreme enigma syndrome in person. She's also extremely beautiful

 

[sunshinegeckos]

Thanks Laney I love my goofy tang enigma too ive been trying to just leave her alone so she doesnt stress, i just worry about her weight loss and complete lack of interest in food. She was bred this year so maybe she is still recovering.

 

[BrightReptiles]

My girl is in the same boat as yours. She wouldn't eat much of anything and tongs feeding is complicated but with enough encouragement she will eat. Try picking up a newborn pinky at p-reptiles. That is the one thing she jumped right on and took down easily. She went to 35g after breeding and was 49g before. She now is getting a punitive a week and silkworms the rest of the time, which is all she is interested in. Give them a try before you tube feed and see if shell take either from the tongs. The squealing from the limits hanging by its tail brings instant interest from her.

 

[sunshinegeckos]

The one thing she did eat was a silkworm so I tried that again last week and nope no interest. I did try a pinky and no go either. I think it is going to be a battle of wills.

 

[BrightReptiles]

I know how you feel. I've spent ten minutes at a time following her lips with food before she gives in and takes it. She also is happier to take food when I let her eat on my bed.

 

[sunshinegeckos]

ive sat there for 30 minutes waving a worm in front of her and it doesnt phase her. I dont feed outside of her tub because I dont want to stress her more. She has one more week and if she doesnt eat she is going to the vet.

 

[Adinar]

They ran tests for parasites and did an exam to see if anything was physically wrong (impaction, constipated etc) they also gave her a dose of Panacur to deworm her if she had any worms . I just talked to the vet and I am taking her in to tube feed her. I have been in contact with the breeder through the whole thing and he has been great about giving me advice and everything. I am just at a loss as to what is wrong. Her only "symptoms" is a total lack of interest in food and weight loss (she has gone from 46g to 38g) otherwise she acts normal.

Did the breeder say if she had done that while still in his care? If so were there any tricks that maybe you could try with her? Seems a little odd she'd be perfectly fine there and BAM have all sorts of enigma issues with you. Granted the stress of a show/shipment/travel (however you got her) and then a new home could make these problems arise.

Only other thing I can think of is maybe try the gecko soup mix. - http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=54742
Dab some on her nose and hopefully she'll take to it. Has everything she needs plus you can freeze it and dethaw as you need it.

 

[sunshinegeckos]

He has been a big help on what I can try and everything. I am sure it has to do with a mixture of being shipped and being the end of breeding season. She isnt gravid or ovulating anymore though. I am going to try the soup tomorrow with her.