I work at a PETsMART and there was a leo who, about a week ago, was practically drowning because it had been trying to drink and was too weak to lift it's head up. Just this weekend I got switched to Specialty, so I was finally allowed to do something to try to make him better (they wouldn't let me before). He was nothing but skin and bones, his tail all dried out, etc. His head bobbles because he's so disproportionate and weak.
Yesterday another person in Specialty who was helping me out and I forcefed him four or so dusted crickets and a mealworm over the course of a day because he wouldn't eat on his own. Today he looked quite a bit better and his stomach was filling out, but now he can't even chew and swallow. We got him to eat maybe one cricket total and half of a mealworm.
His temperatures are 88 in the basking spot and the gradient goes down to 80, and I followed what the care sheet said. I put him on paper towels because I don't trust sand, and he has a hide and a shallow water dish.
I'm thinking that the temperatures are off in the regular Leo cage, which could have prevented him from eating. I know the others are sickly too, which upsets me.
I've never had Leos before, and I know significantly more about other types of reptiles, but I'm trying my best and right now it just seems to be a dead end.
Unfortunatly, since he's not "worth much," PETsMART won't spring for a vet. I also just adopted two four week old kittens that were abandoned, so between caring for my other pets and vet visits for these two, I have no money left.
Does anyone have any advice? Is there something I can try to feed him with? I've never had to force-feed reptiles before. Is there a type of formula I could use? I know for some non-avian creatures you can use baby bird formula. Do you think that would be okay?
Thanks in advance.
