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crested gecko suddenly refusing food

AshleyJ Aug 31, 2006 12:42 AM

My 6 month old crested gecko female has suddenly lost most of her interest in food. She had really been thriving--eating several vitamin dusted/ gut loaded insects per night, "passing" the load the next day and ready for more food in the evening. She was a veracious hunter and snapped to attention whenever food was around. About a week and a half ago she didn't seem interested in the bugs I offered, so i removed them. This happened again the next day, at which time I had to leave her with my boyfriend while i went on a short trip. He offered food every night and she wouldn't touch it. She remains active, friendly, and healthy looking, and I don't see any signs of obstruction or sickness. There were no drastic temperature or enviroment changes when her appetite suddenly changed. I have been back from my trip several days and have managed to get her to eat 3 mealwormsand a little baby food, but only by sneaking them in her open mouth when she licks her face. Once the food is in her mouth she doesn't reject it and everything stays down, but she continues not to PURSUE food on her own. As far as I can tell she has not gone to the bathroom at all during this period of time.
Any ideas as to the root of her sudden appetite change? At first I wondered if she had vision problems and couldn't see the food, but she responds to other visual situations appropriately. Any ideas are welcome.

Replies (3)

sleepygecko Aug 31, 2006 07:59 AM

Sounds like your gecko is almost as old as my crestie, now recently mine has developed a taste for CGD and has switched over to eating it almost exclusively ignoring most of the crickets offered to her. However, she is eating and eating quite a bit, so that doesn't sound like your situation. I wonder what you mean by several? Ours could eat up to 6 of the appropriate size. Sound about right? Did it eat more fruit before as well?

My advice is if your gecko isn't eating and you are worried in any way about it, take it to a good reptile vet. (When in doubt ask where you got it or find a local herp chapter.) We can't diagnose parasites or infections over threads and you'd want to be extra sure that it is healthy, at least I would. Find a good vet and just get everything checked out first, cresties rarely miss a good meal. Good luck.
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

AshleyJ Aug 31, 2006 01:27 PM

She'd have between 3 and 6 mealworms or smaller crickets a night. She has never been a big fan of fruit so after a while I just quit offering it. I have always been feeding CGD mixed in baby food (which she has also never seemed to like) by dabbing it on her nose for her to lick off. I dust the bugs with CGD as well.

I'm fairly certain she doesn't have a parasite because I bought her as a hatchling from a private breeder who kept very few reptiles (all housed seperate) and she has never come in contact with any reptiles since. I realize this isn't a 100% guaruntee against parasites, but it seems like the chanced are slim. I'm not trying to put down your theory, I just thought I had better explain this in case it contributes to solving the problem.

How large is your 6mo. crested?

sleepygecko Aug 31, 2006 07:51 PM

We lost our first gecko after nine months of perfect health because it had a parasite and zero symptoms until it was too late, because, as the vet told us "we took too good of care of it." Diseases and bugs can also be transmitted by food and prey items so it is always a first guess.

The only thing I can offer in addition to what I said before is to try to offer straight CGD (prepared as per the label with). And you should be dusting the prey items with a calcium/vitamin suppliment for geckos, not CGD. You may not be giving the gecko enough calcium per serving dusting prey items with CGD, another thing you may want to check with you vet about (MBD).
-----
0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

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