Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm still working on getting my new leopard to eat. He's still got a respectable sized tail, but not as fat as when I got him. He doesn't eliminate, since he doesn't eat, so little my vet can do, unless I chose to stress him by forcing meds down him every day just in case. I hesitate to do so, as he's extremely skittish and shy, so much more so than my other five leopards. I'm afraid the stress of the excess handling might kill him. We think he may just be very shy and having a hard time settling in, as I got him from someone I trust to have clean animals, and he was the picture of health then. Or he might be doing the winter break my 3 adult geckos do, but I worry since he's a juvie, and hasn't ate for me. All temps and such are as instructed here, and I've covered the sides of his cage to help eliminate stress. I'm at my wits end with this one. Any suggestions or ideas? I'd really appreciate any guidance.
-----
0.1.0 Boa, Elsa
1.0.0 Dumeril's Boa, Bruce
1.0.0 Mexican Kingsnake, Vincent
1.0.0 Graybanded Kingsnak, Boris
1.1.0 Ball Pythons, Pete & Sweetie-Darling
2.3.0 Bearded Dragons, Bela, Sally, Marigold, Phoenix & Spook
1.2.0 Fattailed Geckos, Sahein, Beltaine & Soltice
2.4.0 Leopard Geckos, Ian, Wicca, Rune, Ursla, Ostara & Pagan
2.0.0 Rats, Captian Howdy & Despero
0.0.2 Hermit Crabs Chiquita & Mango
0.0.1 Pom-pom Goldfish, Jester
1.0.0 Pushy Lovebird Baxter

Hi- I'm sorry if I missed your original post as to how old/what weight this little guy is but could you refresh my memory please?
Is he in a viv all by himself and how long have you had him and how long has it been that he has not been eating?
I can understand you not wanting to stress him by forcing meds down his throat and I respect the fact that he comes from a breeder that practices good hygiene with their Leos but the stress from moving from his original home could have brought on an increase in coccidia and he still might have other parasites despite the clean environment that he came from.
If you haven't already- I would call your herp vet and get his intake on whether he wants to guess at a treatment-(since he cannot do a fecal)I say this because with the little ones it is not a good thing to have them go a prolonged period of time without eating and leaving him untreated can be just as bad as or worse than forcing meds down his throat.
If your vet is experienced with herps then he should have a good idea of what if any meds are appropriate in this situation.
Good Luck with him
LadyGecko

He Ate!!!! Two crickets last night(all I had left) - I'm going for more today. Hopefully he'll pig out tonight. I raised his cage temps a bit last week(he's beenlaying right there since) and I put paper all around his tank a couple days ago so he'd feel more secure. Maybe he's feeling more settled!
Thanks!
-----
0.1.0 Boa, Elsa
1.0.0 Dumeril's Boa, Bruce
1.0.0 Mexican Kingsnake, Vincent
1.0.0 Graybanded Kingsnak, Boris
1.1.0 Ball Pythons, Pete & Sweetie-Darling
2.3.0 Bearded Dragons, Bela, Sally, Marigold, Phoenix & Spook
1.2.0 Fattailed Geckos, Sahein, Beltaine & Soltice
2.4.0 Leopard Geckos, Ian, Wicca, Rune, Ursla, Ostara & Pagan
2.0.0 Rats, Captian Howdy & Despero
0.0.1 Hermit Crab, Kraken
0.0.1 Pom-pom Goldfish, Jester
1.0.0 Pushy Lovebird Baxter

Hi- I am so glad to hear that he is eating.
I bet that raising the cage temps had a lot to do with it- I always keep my babies warmer than my adults.
If they are not warm enough-they often will not eat.
I am sure that he is also setling in too
LG