Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok one of my leopard geckos regurgitated. I fed it too much, much more than usual. Bad idea. I messed up. I'm to blame.

For leopard geckos, do I need to not feed them for a few days before resuming feeding, as I would if it were, say, a cornsnake, to allow their stomach to recover? If so, should I remove the calcium dish as well (as that is still "eating"? Should I put some nutribac in the water? I have never had leos regurge before. Only snakes. I just looked it up and they kept saying that baby leos can eat too much and regurge and learn not to do it again etc. etc. But they don't say how to remedy it.

I know there is a whole bunch of reasons they can regurge (parasites blah blah) but it was 100% fine one day, I fed it too much one day, it regurgitated. I think it's pretty clear so I think that instead of stressing her and testing her for everything let's just concentrate on what obviously happened. Thanks for any help.

Well if an adult you may cut back to feeding only every other day. Babies and Juvies i still would say feed everyday but then just cut back on how much your feeding. KEEP THE CALCIUM IN AT ALL TIMES!!

It is a subadult. So I should keep feeding it daily. But do I need to not feed them for a couple days now?? Do I need to let them recover their stomach contents or something before I resume feeding? Or do I just keep feeding right away tonight but feed less?

Do I need to do anything? Give them a few days break from food? Give them some digestive enzymes?? Or do I just sorta go "ok feed less from now on" and just continue to feed it starting today with no break?

Don't feed tonight. Wait and feed tom. night. How much are you feeding in 1 feeding? It should be about 5 crix and maybe 1-2 mealies as a treat. I would also start just feeding every other day. How much does he weigh? What is your temps at? Heating elements. (what do you use?)Substrate?

Thanks for the reply. All the temperatures, substrate etc. everything is right. I can spell them out but that would just be repeating the care sheets. It is obvious that I fed it too much. She usually gets a few crix a day but I fed a pinky and it was fine and I was stupid enough to drop in another one...

By the way a lot of fluid came out with the regurge as it soaked into the paper towels. Should I worry about dehydration?

Anything I can do about that?

Well yea that was a really dumb move, You also should only feed pinkies when necessary as in if they are underweight, it's a good weigh for fat to get in there bodies. You shouldn't be feeding a pinky more then 1 every other month if that. They are VERY high in fat and are not that healthy for a leo. I wouldn't be to worried unless weight loss and other symptoms appear, then i would worry about dehydration.

Yeah, I agree. My leo regurgitated once,I think I fed him too much too, (I feed him every other day) the next feeding, he was fine and looking much better.
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What does man love more than life,
Fear more than death or mortal strife,
What the poor have, the rich require,
And what contented men desire,
What misers spend, and spendthrifts save,
And all men carry to the grave?

First things first...realize one thing: YOU didnt over feed your gecko, it over ate. Unless you shoved the pinky down its throat. The geckos eyes were bigger than the stomach. Also remember K.I.S.S. keep it simple silly. TOO many people over complicate things when dealing with animals.Dont always over think what happened.
Also as far as the pinkies, a subadult it would be one about once a month. My breeding females I feed them one or two the day after they lay just to help keep thier weight on.Youve got to remember the tails are for fat storage. This is a place where common sense comes into place. Best of luck with your leo...but dont over think what happened.
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Their government should fear the people.

yeah, remember, Leos are hardy creatures. Look at FrostDragon's case for example (few posts back),and her Leo Sora who she thought was long gone lol, then found 5 months later. 164 days of no food or water. I know that’s an extreme example, but it just shows how hardy they are! If something’s wrong with them, they can usually sort themselves out without much help. I used to over worry about every little thing that was slightly unusual hehe. Like said before, don’t over analyze it all, just be aware of your leo’s health and happiness
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What does man love more than life,
Fear more than death or mortal strife,
What the poor have, the rich require,
And what contented men desire,
What misers spend, and spendthrifts save,
And all men carry to the grave?

Thanks. I just want to know if there is a process I should follow after a leo regurgitates. I am more experienced with corn snakes, and I know after they regurge you follow a process (no food 10 days, no handling, nutribac in water, resume feeding smaller prey for a few weeks). I was just wondering if there is an equivalent for leos. I'm not too worried as they seem fine but just want to learn. Thanks.

As long as they are ok then thats fine Maybe check for abnormal behaviour, poo ect. Just to be on the safe side

Good luck!

Allie
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What does man love more than life,
Fear more than death or mortal strife,
What the poor have, the rich require,
And what contented men desire,
What misers spend, and spendthrifts save,
And all men carry to the grave?

If you're worried about dehydration, you could always give your leo a warm soak I believe . . . also, if you don't notice the leo drinking out of the water dish, they will also lick moisture off the walls of their humid hide too . . . I'm sure he or she will be just fine!

Relax, most leos make this mistake at least once in their lives. They overeat, they regurgitate, and they learn to eat only until they're full. As long as they seem healthy, just remove the vomit and keep an eye on them. Odds are they only overate, but if they do start to act oddly or regurgitate again (within a few days, as some geckos forget this lesson), take them to a vet.