Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. My mother has a leopard gecko that shes had 4 quite a while and is convinced that hes dying and should be put to sleep. I do admit hes old, isnt very active anymore, and doesn't eat much to my knowledge, but his tail is still quite fat, his color are still vibrant, and (Although my mother claims he cant use his back legs) he can still most definately walk. Now I'm no gecko expert but the way I see it the gecko isnt suffering and shouldnt be put to sleep. I wanted to get some opinions on the situation. Thanks.

I wouldn't consider putting an animal down unless it was quite clear that the animal was suffering and/or about to die painfully. From what you're saying, it doesn't sound like that's the case. Do you know how old the gecko in question is? What's making your mother say that he can't use his back legs? I'd think that'd be pretty clear, because he'd be dragging himself along rather than walking properly...
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0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

I doubt old age is an issue...Leopards can live for 20 years

Could you give a full run down of your mothers set up? If the leo cannot move his back legs then i would worry about calcium deficiency or impaction.

What type of substrate is she on?
What are the temps?
How are the temperatures measured? - i.e, which type of thermometer are you using, digital or otherwise?
What type of supplement is she using? How often?
What type of prey is she using?
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1.1 Bearded Dragons
2.2 Leopard Geckos
1.0 Uromastyx (Mali)
1.1 Corn snakes
0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake
1.0 Rosy Boa
1.1 Green Anoles
1.1 House Geckos
0.0.2 Flying Geckos
0.0.1 Red Eye Tree Frog

Sorry...I meant 20 years
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1.1 Bearded Dragons
2.2 Leopard Geckos
1.0 Uromastyx (Mali)
1.1 Corn snakes
0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake
1.0 Rosy Boa
1.1 Green Anoles
1.1 House Geckos
0.0.2 Flying Geckos
0.0.1 Red Eye Tree Frog

Thanks for the responses. I really think its a calcium deficiency. I dont think she ever gives him any. I'll try giving him some and see how he does. I'll again to let you know how it goes. Thanks.

Definatly - if she hasnt been giving any calcium at all that could cause a huge issue.

Start supplemtning right away - if the condition does not seen to improve in a week or two, or if it worsens at all - then you will want to get him to a reptile vet asap. Sometimes a prescription oral calcium supplement is needed.

Make sure you are using a pure calcium carbonate supplement - such as rep-cal.
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1.1 Bearded Dragons
2.2 Leopard Geckos
1.0 Uromastyx (Mali)
1.1 Corn snakes
0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake
1.0 Rosy Boa
1.1 Green Anoles
1.1 House Geckos
0.0.2 Flying Geckos
0.0.1 Red Eye Tree Frog

Thanks for the help.

I will add..........by starting to supplement calcium carbonate right now, you will not reverse the damage that has already been done but will prevent it from getting worse.
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1.3.0 Leopard Geckos
0.1.0 California Kingsnake
0.1.0 Copperhead
1.1.0 Eastern Box Tutles

True, any bone deformities that have formed will not be undone.

Also, i think you said he was defecating? But make sure to watch for fecal matter as not moving the hind legs is a classic sign of impaction.
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1.1 Bearded Dragons
2.2 Leopard Geckos
1.0 Uromastyx (Mali)
1.1 Corn snakes
0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake
1.0 Rosy Boa
1.1 Green Anoles
1.1 House Geckos
0.0.2 Flying Geckos
0.0.1 Red Eye Tree Frog

Im actually not seeing any defication and Im having a hard time getting him to eat.

If it is impaction, I heard olive oil and baths can help. Would you recommend this?

Could you give a full run down of the set up?

- Substrate?
- How is the tank heated?
- What are the temps?
- What prey items are offered?

I think this guy should go see a herp vet, there is definately something going on with him. It could be impaction, or calcium deficiency - or both. Calcium deficiency can cause issues with defecation because calcium is needed for muscle contractions - including the GI muscles. There could also be an entirely different issue going on - if his appetite is poor, he cant move his back legs, and he isnt defecating then whatever is going on is serious and needs to be addressed asap.

I would start doing warm water soaks a few times a day to try and help pass the impaction, if it is an impaction.

Its very important that the Leo has the proper temps - and that those temps are coming from the floor. Set him up in a hospital tank with paper towels as a substrate, an undertank heater with a digital thermometer with a probe taped to the warm side - the temps need to be 88-92degrees.
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1.1 Bearded Dragons
2.2 Leopard Geckos
1.0 Uromastyx (Mali)
1.1 Corn snakes
0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake
1.0 Rosy Boa
1.1 Green Anoles
1.1 House Geckos
0.0.2 Flying Geckos
0.0.1 Red Eye Tree Frog

If it is impaction............bathe your gecko 1-2 times a day in room temp water. To help the impacted material to pass through the GI tract you should try getting your gecko to consume some olive oil first. During the bath, you should gently massage the stomach starting at the begenning of the abdomen and heading toward the cloaca.
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1.3.0 Leopard Geckos
0.1.0 California Kingsnake
0.1.0 Copperhead
1.1.0 Eastern Box Tutles