Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm new to geckos researched them before I decided to purchase one. I guess research doesn't supplant experience, because I wound up buying two baby geckos that appear abnormally thin. I thought at first that they were thin just because they were so young, but now I realize that they are actually thinner than they should be. They're on hold at the store while I'm fine tuning their new home, and I want to have everything possible to handle any emergency.

I already have gutloaded mealworms and two week old crickets; I also purchased some waxworms to try and fatten them up. I've got calcium in the tank and vitamin dust for when I feed them. Basically, because of their age and the new environment I'm anticipating that it's going to be hard to get them to eat. here are my specific questions:

what other foods can I try to feed them?

they were housed with a very active baby bearded dragon and some sort of burrowing lizard. Is it likely that they are skinny because they couldn't compete? what other factors could contribute to their skinniness, and how do I prepare for them?

should I still allow a nightly drop in heat? do I need to keep a higher humidity in the tank overall for shedding, or should the moist hide be enough?

do i need to give them some time to settle before I take them to a vet for an exam?

Sorry this is so long! Thanks.

i just cant imagine some idiot put geckos with bearded dragons.......but anyways the reason why they are probly thin is due to stress from the other animals in the cage with it,when they arrive home just put then in thier cage,put a few mealworms in a shallow clear dish and leave then be for the next few weeks,add whatever mealworms they eat befoe you go to sleep and a huimid hide is the only source for humidity they need.and those wax worms,just be careful not to over do it as they get real stubborn eaters if they are fed to many and will refuse all other foods.other than that they should be fine they just need to be left be till they get settled in..

kali
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1.3 Leopard Gecko's
1.0 mali uromastyx

Thank you! I just got them home. They've got some mealworms in there; they're not in a clear, shallow container though so in an hour or so I'll switch them into a more accessible dish. They haven't looked at teh food yet; thus far they're more interested in hiding and basking in the warm spot. Other than being thin they look good, so I hope all will be well. Again, thank you very much!

gf
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1.3 Leopard Gecko's
1.0 mali uromastyx

i would DEFIANTLY get a fecal done! bearded dragons and leos have completely different gut flora. That means some bacteria in bearded dragons are healthy for bearded dragons but bad for leos. and vice versa. Try to get the fecal done by an experienced herp vet. But yes they could be thin simply because they were stressed (and they WERE stressed) and too much competition.

Your doing VERY good things for them and good luck.

Thank you for the advice and encouragement! I'm taking them to the vet tomorrow. Right now I'm just coaxing them to eat, and otherwise trying to leave them alone as much as possible.

I really hope that they are ok. ):

It sounds like you're doing a good job so far. It's probably better to try to fatten up the babies on the mealworms and crickets before resorting to waxworms, just because they're so much more nutritious. Mealworms also have a higher fat content than crickets.

It's great that you're taking them to the vet. It'll be helpful if you have a fresh fecal sample on hand.
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chickabowwow

3.2.3 leopard geckos (Rosie, Locke, Lisa, Caesar, Tommy)

Gee, do Leos a favor and don't buy from that store ever again! It's good that you're saving two Leos, but they're only going to (sadly) replace them now or get twice as many. If you have a chance, report them to any applicable authorities. What they're doing is really bad.

Keep us updated on your Leos... I really hope they get better and forget their entire experiences at that petstore from hell! Get a fecal done and keep being a good Leo parent If they don't make it, though, it's obviously not your fault and probably inevitable at this point. Good luck with them.
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Got hips like Cinderella / Must be having a good shame / Talking sweet about nothing / Cookie I think you're Tame