Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ive heard that force feeding an anorexic gecko egg whites is a good way to add on the pounds. Just wondering if this is true or not?

Is egg white a good source of nutrition that will put on weight... yes.

Is force feeding it a good way to put on weight... no.

How long has your gecko been off feed? Since you're asking about putting on weight, it's surely lost over 10% and thus veterinary intervention is best. They will fix the medical problems surrounding the anorexia, and while they do, you fix the husbandry problems that are at the root of the situation.

(I use husbandry loosely, as for all I know you just got this gecko and are well versed in leopard gecko care. If this is the case, then being in your care is all the correction that is needed)

Ian

Agreed.

Anorexia is a symptom of an underlying health problem.

How long has your gecko been not eating?
Will it eat anything or does it refuse all food?
How much weight has it lost?
Is it still defecating? If not, which happened first the lack of defecation of loss of appetite?

Check your husbandry...are the temps good (88-92degrees hot spot, 85 ambient), is the substrate good (not sand or bark), are there plenty of hides? Is the leo housed alone or with others?

If your husbandry is good then there is something going on, a parasite infection is a good place to start looking. Try getting a fecal done, if your leo is not defecating you can force feed chicken baby food and calcium powder to get a fecal sample.

if your leo is anorexic, he really needs to see a vet.
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0.1 Bearded dragon (Hannabil)
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake (Morticia)
1.1.2 Leopard Gecko's (Pogo, Louise, Orion, Jeffrey Nothing)
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn (Autumn)
0.1 Bullmastiff (Asha)
4.1 Cats (Poe, Tucker, Abhid, Felicity, Emmy)