Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We purchased our gecko from Pet** back in April. She seemed to be thriving well, and now our girl is very sick, and we have tried everything. We keep her in a 10 gallon with paper towels. Her hot side is about 89-90 and her cool is usually about 71-72. She has several hides including a humid hide. I've spent so much on the vet, that its getting to be to much. She has been tested for everything, with no answers.. She seems to be getting worse. She started with an eye problem and has not eaten since july or aug. I have been keeping her alive with baby jarred chicken and vanilla ensure. She wont eat either anymore. her feces, when I actually get are much lighter in color, but formed, and I do catch her often straining and licking her butt area. I'm at a loss about what to do. I don't know how long she can survive like this, and I don't want her to starve to death or suffer in front of my kids. I don't want to loose her, My kids are very attached to her as am I. Any ideas on what to do? Is it time for me to let her go?

How safe is it to order geckos online? I would rather purchase from a breeder, but am afraid of the shipping stresses on the little one. Am I making a big deal out of something that isnt that bad? What is better, babies or adults or older babies? (if that makes sense)

Thanks for any advice and sorry for the long post.

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This is courage.. to bear unflinching what heaven sends. -unknown

2.1 chocolate labs and bassett (Harley, Barker and Capone)
1.0 leopard gecko (Nacho)

Well, from your post alone, I was expecting to see a very emaciated leo, which I do not see in the pic. I was about to tell you to let you go, but the pic looks like a healthy leo to me. What have you offered her in terms of real leo food? Its hard to beleive she looks that good after several months? of syringe feeding. Please elaborate more- and include what tests your vet has done, and a timeline re: when she stopped eating, weight loss, etc.
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1.0 Hypo stripe, Het RW from JL (BJ)
1.0 HypoTang from Crested (Apricot)
1.0 Tremper Albino from Petsmart (Cloud)
0.1 Hi-Yellow Leopard gecko from Petco (Beatrice)
0.1 Stripe female (rehabilitated rescue)(Pepper)
0.1 Jungle het RW hatched by me! (Jungle Bunny)
0.1 SHCT Leopard Gecko from Petco (Brite)
0.1 Tangy Mutt Leopard Gecko from Petco (Rainbow)
0.1 RW Stripe hatched by me! (unnamed yet)
0.1 Leucistic rescue (Lucy?)
0.1 Tremper stripe from JMG (Delta)
0.1 SHCT hatched by me! (Blinky)
0.0.1 SHCTB hatched by me! (Sunny II)
0.1 Ball Pythons
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
Hatched: ~50 leos

Sorry, forgot to answer your shipping question. As long as everything is done properly, being shipped is no more stressful for an established leo than a trip to the vet. I shy away from shipping leos less than a few months old, I personally find them a little too fragile. You will need to pay for overnight shipping if you buy from a reputable breeder outside your immediate area, and that can be a couple of bucks. Given what it sounds like you've already been through, I think you would find the health of your animal and more humane return policies you will get that way much more preferable than the thought of another similar ordeal. Right? A shipped leo will take anywhere from no time at all to a week or more to re-settle after arrival, depending on the individual. I hope that helps-
PS- PLEASE, if you do decide to acquire another leo, which sooner or later you will, quarantine your animals, even when buying from a reputable breeder online. Incidentally, there are other forums that keep track of who's reputable and who's not!
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1.0 Hypo stripe, Het RW from JL (BJ)
1.0 HypoTang from Crested (Apricot)
1.0 Tremper Albino from Petsmart (Cloud)
0.1 Hi-Yellow Leopard gecko from Petco (Beatrice)
0.1 Stripe female (rehabilitated rescue)(Pepper)
0.1 Jungle het RW hatched by me! (Jungle Bunny)
0.1 SHCT Leopard Gecko from Petco (Brite)
0.1 Tangy Mutt Leopard Gecko from Petco (Rainbow)
0.1 RW Stripe hatched by me! (unnamed yet)
0.1 Leucistic rescue (Lucy?)
0.1 Tremper stripe from JMG (Delta)
0.1 SHCT hatched by me! (Blinky)
0.0.1 SHCTB hatched by me! (Sunny II)
0.1 Ball Pythons
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
Hatched: ~50 leos

I didnt think about it when I put that picture in, but that was several months ago. ALthough she is not thin like you would think, she is well under 1/3 of what she was in that picture.
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This is courage.. to bear unflinching what heaven sends. -unknown

2.1 chocolate labs and bassett (Harley, Barker and Capone)
1.0 leopard gecko (Nacho)

well if she's in a 10 gal tank and has alot of hides, try to take a few out, its probably to crowded for her there for she isn't doing normal leo things

I was hoping someone would reply to this with a solution. I'm sorry it hasn't come so far.
I've had this issue with one of my leopards 2 years ago. It's feces was runny and smelly then became grayish in color. Unfortunately, after months of hand feeding, the gecko's health complete deteriorated until it died. During the drawn out process, it loss all the fat buildup in its tail then lost body weight. Looking at your picture, I new this was an old photo. I'm sure your gecko has lost all tail weight and is now losing body weight.

The little information there is about this issue, I believe the problem is cryptosporidium. Unfortunately, this is an incurable disease. I doubt many vets can even identify this disease. I hope I am wrong but the symptoms seem to point to this. I am sorry.

Concerning the question about purchasing on-line, I believe it is safe and a reliable method to purchase geckos. Other then extreme temperatures (when most reliable breeders refuse to ship geckos), the shipment process can be a great way to see the animals, and their parents, you are looking for and to get to know the breeder. Review the vendors SHIPPING TERM page and make sure they offer a guarantee. Check around on the forums and you can usually tell those breeders that are knowledgeable and dependable by their willingness to post advice.
Another great source of geckos can be reptile shows. Check the Kingsnake show schedule and you may find one in your area.
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Wally
Web Site: Supreme Gecko
e-mail: Supreme Gecko e-mail