Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my leopard geckos along with my Day Gecko and Ball Python for 6 years, going on 7. Recently I went through a 3 1/2 week period where (I won't lie) I just plain missed the feeding schedule on my leopards (I don't like to make excuses, but it has been a busy month). Usually I've been feeding them about once a week and they've done fine with it, but obviously, I missed awhile. I feel horrible about it, but that's beside the point.

Bought some superworms yesterday and was able to get all but one of them to eat a decent amount. She's the mother of two of them, and lost a leg a few months back to what I'm assuming was agression with tank mates and her tail for a second time (I seperated the gecko that seemed to be causing the agression). I've tried force feeding (which has worked in the past when she's decided to be stubborn) but she won't swallow. Tried buying crickets today to see if she'd take something softer, but she was less willing to take the crickets than superworms.

Basically I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas about something I can do to get her to eat. I'm worried I might lose her if I don't do something soon. If you know of any liquid foods (drops) or something I can use until she gets back up to speed enough to take crickets PLEASE LET ME KNOW! My email is Powercat026@AOL.COM, or you can just leave a response here. Any help would be appreciated greatly! Thanks!

Obviously, the offspring of your gecko must have bitten off the mother's tail & foot during the 3.5 week fast. If you cannot get her to eat small insects; ie baby mealworms, waxworms, you will probably have to go to a slurry diet & force feed. Give only very small amounts of liquid as you can easily asphyxiate her. I believe Hill's A&D is one I've heard of. You can probably search the net, as some slurry are made of blendered insects & other nutrients.

The site below as some very good leopard gecko advice:
Link

is fine for leo's. You might want to add a little water to get it into a syringe a bit easier. This food is available at any small animal vet clinic. If your gecko is not swallowing, the force feeding will not work and is dangerous. As lizardman suggested, choking is a very real danger here. Have your vet show you how to tube feed (I'm not about to try over the net, you need one on one to teach this). While at the vet, he/she will preform an exam and give you any other suggestions.

My only other suggestion is to reconsider your husbandry and go back to the basics. It sounds like you've been successfull for the past 7 years but there is some improvements that can be made.

Good luck with your gecko

Ian