Reptile & Amphibian Forums

today I was at the local pet store and the owner told me that her baby leo's haven't been eating well and some have died.I offered to take the last one home and try and nurse it back to health.He is set up in a 10 gal now,seems active and I just got him to take 3 small meal worms.I looked at his tummy and I can see his guts,they are very dark,is that normal? He is around 2 months old,the size of a hatchling and very skinny.He threw up a cricket on the way home so he has been eating,but not much.I don't think he was getting calcium/vitamins very often either.I am going to get some baby food just in case he needs to be force fed,hopefully he will pull through.
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(c) 2004 Neopets, Inc.

You need to take him to the Vet ASAP.

~~Dusty Windom
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So Many Alleles, So Little Time...!
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~~The Gecko Barn~~

I know the vet would be the best thing for him but I'm not willing to spend that much on an animal that isn't mine and the petstore would never reimburse me.He did eat last night but this morning I gave him a bath because he is dehydrated and it stressed him so he threw up again,on the plus side he pooped and has been in his humid hide.He will hunt crickets but doesn't seem interested in mealies.I am going to feed him some babyfood with calcium/vitamins today and get some tiny crix tomorrow for him.As far as his dark colored gut goes,he has never been on any bedding,only paper towel or reptile carpet so no impaction.He is just so small that I can almost see through him,buts thats ok 'cause now I can see if food is moving through him or not.I'll keep you updated.
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(c) 2004 Neopets, Inc.

Honestly, and don't take it this too personally, but if you're willing to take in a sick animal, then you should be willing to take it to the vet and get it cared for. At this point, that's what it sounds like this leopard gecko needs. If you're not willing to do so, then you should take it back to the pet store and have them take it, since you don't actually seem to own it.

If you're going to take the responsibility of caring for something, you need to actually shoulder the responsibility - AND the financial burden..

Personally, I will not take in an already sick animal because of that. I do not currently have the financial means to care for sick animals - I have a child, I have bills, and I have a wedding coming up. I have neither the time nor money to help a sick animal, but I would find another person who would be willing to shoulder the responsibility.

I'm not a fan of seeing an animal suffer because someone isn't willing to give it the full care it needs. And, from your description, that's what it sounds like this leo needs. It's not the poor leo's fault that it's in this situation. It's the fault of irresponsible human beings.

~~Dusty Windom
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So Many Alleles, So Little Time...!
@
~~The Gecko Barn~~

misswindom,you need to get off your high horse.I asked what the dark colored guts could be not how to cure it or a lecture.I could take him back to the store so he could die or I can keep him here and give him a chance,the pet store WILL NOT get him vet care,its not even an option,not to mention that the local vet won't see reptiles,he refuses.If you can't or won't answer the question that was asked then don't repy to my board.
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(c) 2004 Neopets, Inc.

If you don't want people to get upset about your not taking a sick animal to the vet, you shouldn't ask for people's opinions.

Yes, it's normal to see a dark spot - TO A POINT. Unfortunately, there's no way anyone here can tell you without seeing the animal.

I was responding to the overall description of your animal. If you are going to take in a sick animal, take it to the vet. That is my advice.

As I wrote in my last post, I said DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONALLY. In other words, don't get all pissy about it! High Horse or not, I am right about what that leopard gecko needs, according to how YOU described it.

And, yes, you're giving it a FAR better chance than it would have had with the pet store. I applaud that you're willing to take on this kind of project. I'm sure it will pull through - but its chances are much higher if you have professional help. As I said, taking on a sick animal entails a financial responsibility. That's what I've learned, and that's what I have heard over and over and over from other breeders.

And, yes, I can understand that your local vet doesn't want to see it. That's when you ask, "where can I find a vet who will??" Have you tried looking at [url]http://www.anapsid.org for any other vets? Where are you that the only vet you know of refuses to see reptiles?

If you are going to ask for advice, you should be open to receiving advice. Don't go getting pissy at the only person on this board who took the time respond to you. I know from past threads that most other breeders (the Good, Reputable ones, at least) would have told you the same thing as what I did.

And, with that said, NOW I'll be getting down off my horse. I honestly did not mean to sound as though I were on a "high horse" in the last post - I was simply stating the same thing that I've been told and heard countless times in the past. That's why I told you "Don't take this personally."

~~Dusty Windom
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So Many Alleles, So Little Time...!
@
~~The Gecko Barn~~