Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My male leo is sick and the vet gave me food and a syringe to feed him with until is appetite comes back. I also have to administer medicine in the same fashion. Does anyone have any tricks or hints to help with this? I have to administer his food and meds for the first time tomorow. Thanks
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2 Leos
Lizzie
Leroy

I had to do the same with my leo for over a month. The trick is two people. Have one person calm the gecko down and make sure to grasp the gecko in a fist with just its head popping out, keep its arms down with your hand. From that position with the gecko calm, get the plastic syringe and slowly push at the corner of its mouth, dont use your fingers. Once the syringe sneaks its way in slowly push some food in, but only a little at a time so your leo can digest. You will get the hang of it.

Before force feeding I would try putting the food around the geckos mouth. If he licks it off I'd say that's a good sign and to contine to do it the same way. It is very time consuming, but it is much easier for you and your gecko.

If he desides to be stubborn then use the method given above. Also, as stated above, go about it from the side of his mouth, it's much easier to get it open.

Good luck What's wrong with your gecko?

Lisa
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino Pacman Frog
1.0 Lovebird (Tony)
1.0 Elkhound Cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute Cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

When my geckos were sick, I found the best way to feed them was to just drip a little food over his mouth/around it, and they will just lick it up. I guess it depends on how sick the gecko is.

What are you going to be feeding the gecko? I remember mushing up crickets, ensure, and that goopy paste they sell at petstores. There's some pretty good recipes for syringe food online.

Good luck w/ your gecko.