Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got a het albino female in the mail today and she LOOKS perfectly healthy. Sadly, she seems to be having seizures and can't walk without twitching or shaking her head! I called the breeder and said she was fine before she was shipped and that he would replace her if her condition didn't improve. Does anyone know what the problem could be?? She looks like she is suffering and I feel really bad, I just don't know what to do. Please help, thanks.
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AIM sn: z10silver

While I hope its not the case, the gecko may be having a reaction to an accident during shipping. Usually any seizure-like activity will happen right after the injury occurs, and then the gecko will then appear sluggish and reluctant to move.

After years of being careful and lucky, I finally had a young leopard gecko jump off my body and land on the floor, resulting in an immediate seizure. I did what I could for her, but she died during that night. Yours may be fine. Time will tell; if she is ok for a few days - no more seizure activity - she will be unlikely to have any problems later that relate to this.

You've probably already set her up, but if you haven't then preheat the undertank heat strip and Place her on the heated side, with a hide nearby, and then leave her alone as much as you can. Feel free to check on her from a distance, but if you can leave her in dark & quiet, that's the best thing for her.

Quiet, warm, and dark.

Do not offer food if she's continueing to have seizures.

Talk to the person who shipped; accidents that affect shipped animals like this are very rare... but they do happen, even when the animal is well packed.

Best of luck to you and the gecko!
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Andrea A.

I haven't seen one major seizure and I don't even know if what she is doing is seizures, but ALL of her movements are uncoordinated and shaky and she can barely walk without flipping around. I don't thinks he will be able to eat...I'd hate to do it but I think she may have to be put down...about how long should I wait before I do it?
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AIM sn: z10silver

I think it would be best if you asked that question to the breeder, because it may affect weather you get a replacement or not. I’m sorry your leo isn’t doing well, but please don’t give up on her yet.

and had tremors due to a calcium and D3 deficiency. You could try a liquid calcium supplement. You can put a few drops on her mouth or snout to see if she will lap it up. Check with the breeder first he may be able to tell you what type to get.
He also may not want you to give it anything if he is going to take it back so check with the breeder first.

I'm no leo expert, but that is no seizure. Sounds like tremors, not seizure... seizures aren't constant and they don't happen when you move as opposed to when you walk. For any grand mal seizure, which would cause convulsions, the animal wouldn't even be conscious... so ex that idea out.

My sick leo was having tremors and I started giving lots of vitamins and it improved to nearly nothing within the first month. She went to the vet and has been medicated for parasites because she wasn't eating and had other symptoms, and now she's almost perfectly fine with EVERYTHING, so I recommend you do the same if you can. Good luck with your leo
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Got hips like Cinderella / Must be having a good shame / Talking sweet about nothing / Cookie I think you're Tame