Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have one hatchling that is just shy of 2 weeks old. It seems to have a sore/weak right front leg. when it walks, the leg ends up collapsing and putting the weight on its elbow. I have noticed a small improvement in the past few days though. It hasn't eaten any pinhead crickets that I have offered to it so I don't think that it has eaten since hatching. Has anyone tried flightless fruit flies? seems to me that they would be an easier meal for my new gecko. I'd hate to see this one not survive because it has the best colors out of the geckos I have hatched. Any help/comments are appreciated. thanks..
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1.1 Western Painted Turtle (Mougly, Scooter)
1.1 Albino Leopard Gecko (Daphne, Guy)
1.0 High Yellow Leopard Gecko (Sunshine)
1.1 HTCT Leopard Gecko (Rocket, Dot)
0.1 SHTCT Leopard Gecko (Tequila)

I would try hand feeding the crickets with a tong of some sort. If that doesn't work force feeding may be required until it regains proper health. Good luck and hope he/she gets better.

Anyone have a second opinion. I really dont want to resort to force feeding.. ill try hand feeding crix but i dont think it will work..
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1.1 Western Painted Turtle (Mougly, Scooter)
1.1 Albino Leopard Gecko (Daphne, Guy)
1.0 High Yellow Leopard Gecko (Sunshine)
1.1 HTCT Leopard Gecko (Rocket, Dot)
0.1 SHTCT Leopard Gecko (Tequila)

Try pulling off the crickets back legs so it can catch it. If it still don't eat I'm quite certain the hand feeding will work. If it won't take it alive try pinching or removing the head and squishing some of the body fluid out, hold the gecko in your hand and hold the cricket right in front of it, then it can smell it and it will start to lick it, then it will take bite it when it does this let go and it will eat. I am currently having to hand feed 3 baby alblinos this way.
I have never used the fruit flies so I have no idea

I've fed my leos mealworms using tweezers so that I can squeeze the tail-end of the mealworm to make it squirm, thus capturing the attention of the gecko (I was hand-feeding for fun, not because they were having food issues though).

As for crix, I put them in the fridge for a while to knock them out temporarily to remove back legs if necessary. Perhaps that will make it a little easier.
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1.1.5 Mali Uromastyx (Ra, Isis) Sobek, Atum, Tut, Nefertum, No Name
0.1 Super Hypo Tangerine Leopard Gecko (Lucy)
0.1 Sunglow Leopard Gecko (Nyu)
1.1 Satanic Leaf-tail Gecko (R.I.P. Diablo and Samael)
2.0 Tabby cats (Cloud, Magus)