Reptile & Amphibian Forums

One of my two leos has been looking VERY bad for the last three weeks. I'm surprised she has made it this long. I just got back from a trip and I took them along but I couldn't see a vet there. She won't eat, she is soooo skinny, she won't grow, she closes her eyes all of the time because she is weak....and now her tail is becoming shrivled (prune like). I hate watching this happen to her! I'll try to find a vet for her now that I am home but I may not be able to! I don't know what to do!

My leo is also losing weight and weak. Yesterday someone recommended that I try to feed Fluker's Repti-Aid for Carnivores. I picked some up today, and at least it got the poor fellow to eat something. I would give it a try...at least to keep it fed until you can see a vet.

Brad-

Hello,

Im no vet but I that your problem might have been caused by stress... if you were moving it around and it wasnt in a proper home it could be that it is almost to scared to eat. As well make sure it is properly hydrated.. try misting it and seeing if it licks the water off its face.. or off the glass, if they are dehydrated they wont eat. As well you could try hand feeding if you dont already.. if she is feeling weak then she may not want to hunt.. I hope some of this might help! Good luck and us updated!!!

I have dealt with several weak geckos in the past, and I usually have to end up hand-feeing them. Get some meat baby food (i.e. turkey & sweet potato, chicken-noodle, etc.) and feed it through a syringe. Just stick the tip of the syringe up to their noses and they will usually lick away. Add some calcium to the baby food, and some pedialyte would be a good idea (or a reptile electrolyte solution, trace elements, etc.) Is the reptile suffering from a weak jaw or legs? That would be a calcium deficiency. If that isn't the problem, you may have internal parasites. See a vet with a stool sample asap, or at least see if you can't get some medicine. Be sure that the temp. is up to par and that there is a wet box available. Another good food to try is Science Diet A/D canned food. It is available from your vet. You will have to moisten it down a little, and then feed through the syringe.
Good luck!

Thanks everyone for all of the advice. She is still normal when it comes to licking her eyeballs and stuff so I don't think she has a weak jaw. I will definately try hand feeding her. She guzzled down a bunch of water yesterday and took a couple licks of calcium powder. Her cage setup is very good, with a humid box and everything. I'll keep you posted.