Reptile & Amphibian Forums

One of my females does not seem to be doing very well, (curled tail, was curling up from the tip but now from the sides, I have been showering her everyday for 1 hour. Any suggestions ? she just does not seem to have the motor skilles that the othe two have, How much pedialite do you give them ?

Thanks,
Jim Scharphorn

well, pedialyte is better than water alone of course because it carries the extra electrolyes and such. you're gonna want to get the unflavored kind, they dont take to flavors very well. basically try dropping bit by bit on the tip of its snout till it licks it up, then go for another. if it starts getting painfully long between licks, thats usually when i call it a night. but since your gecko seems not to be doing well, and i would say try this method a couple of times a day, that way if your gecko gets sick of drinking to begin with, you can go back later in the day and give more. remember that they're small geckos, so it really shouldnt be much. if you cant even get it to lick it off the snout, the other technique is a bit more stressful, but also works. try placing 2 fingersbehind the head, pick up the gecko, and often it will tend to gape its mouth. then, you can drop some into the mouth that way. you mention that the motor skills are degenerating...i've noticed this mostly in recently shipped geckos in bad shape. not a good sign. hopefully your gecko isnt too far gone yet, usually with severe dehydration you'll notice that the eyes start to move into the head. i would say begin the pedialyte treatment immediately, and maybe even try it twice tonight if your gecko is willing to work with you. no one wants to wake up to a dead gecko. good luck.

I really don't understand your description of the tail curling up, from the tip, and then the sides..?

In any case, it does seem like your gecko is troubled. A better history would need to be provided before someone makes a guess as to what is wrong and why. Was this gecko always a poor-doer? How long have you had it, and it's tankmates? How is your husbandry (a loaded question, but you get the idea)?

Some things to consider;
While pedialyte is a good idea for animals that may be just beginning a downward trend, often when a gecko is found ill it is much beyond this point. Your description adds merit to this. Oral fluids may be too little too late, and IP or SC fluids should be administered. Even if the pedialyte does help hydrate your gecko it doesn't solve the problem your gecko may be having.

If you really want to help your gecko, it is time to take it to the most experienced herp vet in your area. Try www.arav.com and herpvetconnection to locate one if you are having problems.

At the very least, seperate this animal from the others to
a)relieve stress and competition from the healthier geckos and
b)to hopefully decrease any risk of your healthy geckos contracting any communicable diseases from your sick one.
c)if the vet is not an option (it is unfortunately a reality for some animals) then seperation allows closer monitoring, cleaner surroundings, and easier administration of such things as pedialyte.

Of course, whatever you end up doing, make sure to re-evaluate husbandry and seek any possible improvements as a sick herps needs the best environment available. Move temps up to the higher end of the prefered optimum temperature range. For example if your gecko's is 75-85 degrees, perhaps have it 80-88 degrees. This is short term only while your gecko is recovering.

Good luck with your little guy, I hope he pulls through

Thanks for the info, I am giving her 50/50 water and Pedialite as advised by the person I bought them from.
I am having dificulties with my cage and will post a new topic.

Do you know what happens when you keep leaftails above 85 degrees... THEY DIE! Think again before posting leopard gecko info on a leaftail forum.

LMFAO . . . Sorry that was just funny when it hit me.

I was using an example, as I thought was obvious. As owners of these geckos I'm sure you know more about their specific husbandry than I do. I was only giving advice as per basic reptile medicine. By raising the temperatures available WITHEN THE PREFERED OPTIMAL RANGE the gecko's immune system is working at it's best. Reptiles cannot induce a fever themselves and must rely on outside temperatures for this function as well.

Ian Kanda, Animal Health Technologist