hey guys. i'm watching a friend's albino leopard gecko for three months, and she refuses to eat. he told me to force feed her, by opening her mouth and putting mealworms in.
are there any better ways to entice her to eat? she's extremely thin.
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sick little gecko.
misscaseytoyou
Feb 11, 2006 01:36 PM
Replies (5)
bloodroses19
Feb 11, 2006 04:56 PM
i never had to force feed a gecko before but forcing her mouth open and stuffing mealworms in does not sound lke a good idea. im sure some one here can give you some pointers. thanks for coming here and asking first! you could have possibly hurt the gecko if you do it that way.
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brandy 
ginebig
Feb 11, 2006 06:25 PM
I'd try crickets, they're a little easier to chew. As to force feeding, while holding the gecko, touch the side of his mouth with the mealworm or cricket and he should open right up. Pop it in there and loosen your grip and he should eat. Give him a couple this way and put him back home so as not to stress him overly much. If he hasn't eaten in a while leave him till tomorrow and try again. Hope this helps.
Quig
misscaseytoyou
Feb 11, 2006 07:35 PM
i literally have to pry her mouth open...she just seems beligerant about not eating. i feel absolutely terrible abbout it.
i've been considering trying to feed her meat-type baby food or leaving it in there and maybe she will take that?
Shelley1063
Feb 11, 2006 09:09 PM
If she is refusing to eat AND is thin, she needs to see a Vet right away. She may very well have a parasite which can only be treated by a Vet. What kind of substrate is she kept on?
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www.StoplightCityLeopardGeckos.com
fattiesNleos
Feb 11, 2006 09:19 PM
yes you should take her to the vet. 3 months without eating is a very long time. is her cage the right temp? it should be at about 90 degrees. if it is then that is good. it also could very well be parasites and you will have to take her to the vet. i have a gecko or to that also wont eat so i have been hand feeding them baby food(beef or turky only). when i do that i mix in a little vitamnin and calcium powder. the mix is then put in a seinge and i put a few drops on the geckos nose and wait for them to lick it off. this is time consuming and you have to be patient. i have some who take it no problem and i have others who get very angry at me. i would be mad to if someone kept putting that stinky baby food on my nose. people have also used ensure(the stuff for old people....)but not chocolate flavor! good luck i hope all works out! keep us posted.
